Behavioural Addiction
What is behavioural addiction?
Behavioural addiction is a form of self-inflicted abuse. Behavioural addiction is a non-substance related addiction characterised by the need to engage in an overindulging or rewarding behaviour. This behaviour is a form of self-abuse and can lead to a negative impact on an individual’s mental, emotional, social, financial, or physical health and wellbeing.
Behavioural addictions tend to lead to challenges and negative consequences on relationships, eroding trust and putting pressure on family members and friends to cope with, cover up and compensate for issues caused by the addiction.
An addiction is classified as a disease; it indicates that you are unable to stop engaging in an activity, even though doing so is harmful to you and your health. To overcome an addiction, you may require assistance from your doctor, family, friends, or a formal treatment program.
Types of behavioural addiction
Gambling, video games addiction, excessive sexual dependency, pornography, Internet addiction, mobile phone, and other digital devices addiction, excessive physical exercise, social media platform addiction, shopping addiction, or an addiction to food are examples of behavioural addictions.
God’s thoughts on behavioural addiction
Addiction is a self-inflicted bondage, which can become a stronghold for the enemy to use against the individual if not dealt with. Romans 7, verses 14 to 25 provides a narration of the struggle of our sinful nature against our spiritual nature. The verse concludes that in Christ we can overcome any sinful nature that wants to keep us captive. It is important to also note that apart from this spiritual truth, we also have a responsibility to conduct our lives in a manner that doesn’t make us vulnerable to sin, especially in our areas of weakness. It is combining this spiritual truth with practical wisdom that enables us to develop a lifestyle that makes us less vulnerable to the temptation that leads to sin. Romans 6, verses 1 to 7 tells us that as Christians we are supposed to be dead to sin. By wise choices, the grace of God, and the renewing of our minds through God’s word, we can live a life free from sin.
What are the signs of behavioural addiction?
- Spending the bulk of your time engaging in the conduct
- Contemplating or planning to engage in the behaviour
- Developing a heavy reliance on the habit
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (such as despair or anger) when attempting to quit
- Minimizing or concealing the severity of the problem.
- Despite bodily and/or mental pain, continuing
- Desperate measures to maintain or increase indulgence in addiction (e.g. borrowing money)
- Challenges balancing and managing time, finance, and diet
- Decreasing motivation in day-to-day tasks and chores
- Having difficulty reducing addictive activity, despite a desire to do so
- More frequently neglecting work, school, or family to indulge in the conduct
What are the Impacts of behavioural addiction?
The following are examples of the impact of behavioural addictions.
- Mental pressure, restlessness, and anxiety
- Low moods, withdrawal symptoms, and depression
- Relationship strain or breakdown
- Financial debt or money management problems
- Loneliness and isolation from family and friends
- Untruthfulness, pretence, and secretive lifestyles
- Weight gain and challenges dieting
In conclusion, do not ignore the signs and impacts of abuses in your life. Doing so limits God’s best for you and your life aspirations. Find ways to start your healing process. Whilst not speaking to experts may not be readily available to you, however, you can begin to take steps towards effective self-healing Christian options like meditation, prayers, scripture declaration immersion, identity in Christ refocusing and retreats.
Remember, life is not a rehearsal. God always wants you to choose freedom in Jesus Christ. To be free, you have to decide to be 100% responsible for the change you want to see in your life, even though you may be 100% blameless for the life challenges you find yourself facing. As such, be ready for change. As the solution to overcoming life challenges will usually involve a combination of spiritual insights and practical professional skills, on things God will show you to do to surge ahead. As always, remain blessed with divine health and wellbeing.
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