What Is Cross Addiction?

Cross addiction describes the concept of someone who was addicted to one substance becoming addicted to another or replacing their original addiction with something else. This is often as a means of self-medicating to manage symptoms of withdrawal from the first addiction. Examples of cross addiction include:

• Switching from alcohol use to prescription drug abuse
• Switching from cocaine abuse to prescription stimulants like Adderall to achieve a similar effect
• Switching from drug or alcohol addiction to another compulsive behavior such as gambling or shopping

Some of the most common cross addictions include:

• Sex addictions
• Pornography 
• Eating disorders or food addiction
• Extreme exercising
• Shopping addiction
• Gambling addiction

Cross addiction can be a problem because it reinforces addictive behaviors and increases the risk of developing multiple addictions, leading to physical, social, and psychological consequences.

If you find yourself facing a serious addiction problem, the first thing to do is find help from certified addiction treatment professionals like those at Vogue Recovery Center. Having skilled, certified and caring clinicians, counselors, and therapists on your side can make sure you can stand strong in your recovery.

What Causes Cross Addiction?

Research on the subject has shown a possible link between drug addiction and dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is the chemical in your brain that causes feelings of pleasure. When you abuse drugs or alcohol over a period of time, it causes significant chemical changes in your brain. Specifically, the dopamine released by your brain is more than normal. Your brain may even come to depend on the substances to produce dopamine at all.

When you quit using drugs and alcohol, it can cause withdrawal symptoms as the brain and central nervous system attempt to rebalance themselves. Everyone’s withdrawal symptoms are different. Some see improvements in symptoms in just a few days, while others need a week or more. Once the brain starts to rebalance, a period called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) may begin. It’s common for to seek out other pleasurable behaviors during this time to try to recreate the same feelings drug or alcohol use gave you. 

You may have heard the term “addictive personality” before. It’s one theory that surrounds addiction across different substances and behaviors. This is the idea that some people have a compulsive need to do things that give pleasure. Research into this theory hasn’t been conclusive, but there is plenty to suggest that addiction develops due to factors like genetics or experiencing trauma. Issues with addiction, whether to drugs or shopping, most often stem from underlying mental health issues. Vogue Recovery Center offers a full continuum of care that identifies the source of your substance use disorder and creates an individualized recovery plan just for you.

How Are Cross Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Different?

“Dual diagnosis” is a common term in the addiction recovery field. It is not the same thing as cross addiction. Dual diagnosis refers to an addiction and a mental health disorder happening at the same time. Treating both issues simultaneously offers the best chance for a full recovery as the two issues can make each other worse.

Some common co-occurring mental health issues that are often diagnosed alongside drug addiction include:

• Anxiety disorders
• PTSD
• Schizophrenia
• Panic disorder
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder

Dual diagnosis treatment plans at Vogue Recovery Center are created to help you manage the symptoms of your mental health disorder and achieve long-term recovery from addiction. We have a team of caring, certified, and dedicated clinicians with years of drug and alcohol addiction treatment experience. Working with treatment professionals is one of the best ways to overcome challenges with substance abuse and mental health and move on to a brighter future.

Looking for Help with Cross Addiction?

Recognizing a problem with cross addiction can be difficult. Most of the time, evidence for substitute addiction comes from anecdotes and case studies of individuals. This study found that someone could find themselves at a higher risk for abuse from drugs from a specific category, like stimulants or depressants. If you’ve had a problem with substance abuse in the past, it’s highly recommended you avoid all substances in the future. It’s just one of the relapse prevention techniques an addiction treatment center can help teach.

What all addiction and mental health professionals agree on is that getting help as soon as possible is the best course of action. Vogue Recovery Center offers treatment programs for those struggling with substitute addiction and compulsive behavior. Treating the underlying issue is essential to regaining control of your life.

Vogue Recovery Center offers levels of care designed to provide a unique and personalized path to recovery. The addiction treatment programs offered at Vogue include:

Alcohol and Drug Detox

Detox treatment for drug or alcohol abuse is an essential part of the recovery process. Clinician assistance during detox is crucial as withdrawal can involve medical complications. Detoxing from substances like alcohol or opiates can cause serious withdrawal symptoms and even death. The team at Vogue Recovery Center is on hand 24/7 during medical detox to ensure a safe and effective process.

• Residential treatment – Inpatient addiction treatment is one of the most intensive recovery programs as it involves living full-time at a rehab facility. During treatment, you’ll undergo health and wellness programs designed to address issues using evidence-based and holistic programs. Treatments like individual therapy, group therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and more are utilized during this phase of treatment.
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – For those who don’t need 24/7 supervision at a rehab center, PHP is a great option. It allows more flexibility, as you can live at home while attending daily treatment at the drug rehab facility. PHP is the first step towards independence in your recovery journey.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – Another less intensive program, IOP offers even more flexibility in recovery. It’s a step down from PHP. You may visit the rehab center for treatment just a few times a week. The goal is to begin applying the coping skills and tools learned in recovery to life in the outside world.
• Outpatient addiction treatment – Outpatient rehab is another option that allows you to fulfill obligations like work or school while still attending recovery programming once or twice per week. Outpatient treatment is one of the final steps of the treatment process. You reenter the world with the tools you need to succeed in sobriety.
• Sober living – A sober living home helps you stay sober as you gain your footing in addiction recovery. It’s a safe community living environment with peers who are also trying to maintain sobriety. They can be an excellent support system for when you feel the urge to use drugs or alcohol.

Does Insurance Pay for Substance Abuse Treatment?

Vogue Recovery Center accepts most major insurance providers. An insurance verification with a member of our clinical team can give you or your loved ones a better idea of what your insurance policy covers. Our team works with individuals and their insurance companies to figure out any out-of-pocket costs and create a recovery plan that works for them. Contact the team at Vogue Recovery Center today to verify insurance and learn more about the treatment programs and addiction resources available.

You don’t have to take on addiction and mental health all on your own, and cross addiction doesn’t have to be in your future. The team at Vogue Recovery Center is ready and waiting to help you navigate recovery.