Behavioural addictions
Addictions are not just about drugs and alcohol. Activities such as smoking, gambling, technology, exercise, shopping, work and compulsive eating can also be addictive over time.
An activity like exercise, shopping or sex may give a person a ‘high’, followed by a desire to repeat the feeling. Eventually, the activity becomes a habit that can’t be easily broken.
Control is lost, becoming harmful and the individual becomes dependent to get through the day. Addictions are a progressive disease, that is likely to require professional intervention.
Recovery is possible, and Nightingale Hospital can assist you in taking a step towards a healthier life, regardless of the behaviour or substance you are addicted to.
Signs of behavioural addiction
- You spend increasing amounts of time fuelling the activity
- You feel out of control over the activity
- You hide your behaviour from family, friends and colleagues
- You become totally preoccupied with the activity
- You neglect family, friends and other responsibilities
- You get angry when others criticise the amount of time you spend on the activity
- You withdraw from other pleasurable activities
- You are restless and anxious when not participating in the activity
Addiction treatment at Nightingale Hospital
Our approach to treating addictions combines individualised treatment programmes with therapies that are based on current clinical evidence. We employ a bio-psycho-social approach using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF). We motivate, educate, support and promote positive and constructive thinking in a group setting.
These treatments can be as an outpatient, day patient or inpatient. A treatment option may be more suitable or preferable to you so the Nightingale Hospital team can discuss the options with you and help you decide on the best treatment for you. We have the expertise and experience to approach the support and treatment we offer you in a personal and flexible way to benefit you the most in your recovery.
Through group therapy, educational lectures on the various aspects of addiction and alternative approaches such as meditation, art therapy, life skills, sleep therapy, nutrition and physical therapies we aim to give you knowledge of addiction and help you develop new coping skills for living without the aid of addiction.
Maintenance is the key to long-term recovery, so relapse prevention is a vital component of our programmes. Post-treatment, avoiding relapse in the outside world is the greatest challenge. With this in mind your treatment won’t end when you’re discharged, we offer to step down programmes, individual counselling to fortify and prolong motivation, plus free aftercare groups for patients and family members.
Behavioural addiction specialists at Nightingale Hospital
Nightingale Hospital London has a number of consultant psychiatrists and specialist therapists that can help you with a behavioural addiction. It is vital you find a specialist that you can trust and work with on your recovery.
Our addiction treatment team is led by:
- Dr Bhaskar Punukollu – Lead Consultant for Addiction Services, Consultant Psychiatrist at Nightingale Hospital
- Patrick Maxwell – Lead Therapist for Addictions, Nightingale Hospital
