Compulsive behaviours can be defined as behaviours which a person engages in because they feel they have to rather than because they want to behave that way. They are trapped in a pattern of repetitive and senseless thinking that becomes as destructive in time as drug or alcohol addiction. There are many in society that
suffer from one form of compulsive behaviour or another: compulsive shopping; eating; gambling which are similar in many ways to the chemical addictions. There are others with a clearly defined obsessive compulsive disorder which can be every bit as destructive to the individual’s lives as addictions but do not lend themselves to treatment in the same way. At Nova Vida we use the term behavioural addictions for those compulsive behaviours we treat, in particular some eating disorders, sex and gambling, which respond well to our treatment model.
In many respects, behavioural addictions are no different from addiction to alcohol and drugs and we have found that these patients fit in well with the programme we offer. Differences are recognised, similarities explored and appropriate individual work and assignments form part of the individual’s programme.
Addiction to gambling, sex and work are quite common behavioural addictions and if left un-checked can lead to consequences every bit as serious as addictions to chemicals. Loss of work, relationships, families and even life go hand in hand with a dependency on gambling, sex or work as a means of coping with emotions. We know that our patients have a ‘drug of choice’. For some it is alcohol, for others cocaine, others choose betting on the horses, visiting casinos, inappropriate use of adult sites on the Internet or working 70 hours a week to avoid looking at themselves.
At Nova Vida we help patients find appropriate ways of dealing with
life on life’s terms avoiding the use of inappropriate behaviours in
order to escape form what is bothering them.
Addiction to gambling, sex and work are quite common behavioural addictions and if left un-
life on life’s terms avoiding the use of inappropriate behaviours in
order to escape form what is bothering them.
Nova Vida Recovery Centre | Guine | Tunes | 8367-235 | Algarve | Portugal | T +351 282 570020 | F +351 282 574244
“My Journey to Nova Vida was a long suffering one and a Journey I will never forget. I sometimes find it difficult to believe how far I’ve come and how much has been achieved in a short period of time considering the number of years I have lived in addiction, with irrational behaviour, delusional thinking and lack of responsibility. At Nova Vida I made the start of some life changing and life enhancing decisions which I would not change for anything in the world. I have learned some of the most valuable lessons during my time at Nova Vida and although life doesn´t always go the way you planned it, the ability to deal with life head on with a clear is truly amazing in all sense of the word. Never give up, honesty prevails and impossible is nothing. Thank you Nova Vida for making me believe and live again”.
Marc, Portugal February 2008
Marc, Portugal February 2008
