What is Behavioral Addiction?
Behavioral addictions are non-substance addictions, such as gambling addiction or shopping addiction. They are a set of behaviors that a person becomes dependent on and craves. While physical addictions to drugs and alcohol are seen as real, behavioral addictions are still widely doubted and even disregarded by many doctors, institutions, and people in general. When it comes to substance use disorder, a person develops strong physical and psychological dependence on the drug or alcohol. The body grows accustomed to having the substance in its system which causes uncomfortable and painful withdrawal symptoms when not present. There is unquestionable, physical evidence of what drugs and alcohol can do to a person’s body in the long-term. However, having a behavioral addiction is quite different.
Behavioral addictions or addictive behaviors are certain actions that people have found to be addictive. Instead of feeling symptoms to addiction to a substance, these individuals get a calming or euphoric feeling from an action or set of actions. These actions can affect the brain’s reward system and lead to addiction. These can include:
- Food
- Plastic surgery
- Gaming
- Social Media
- Gambling
- Sex
- Risks
- Shopping
- Pornography
Behavioral addiction causes an intense desire to repeat some action that is pleasurable or perceived to improve wellbeing or alleviate personal distress. Motivating factors for non-substance addictions include a perception of temporarily decreasing anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that gambling addiction lights up similar parts of the brain as some drugs, providing a rush of dopamine to the player.
Behavioral addictions can lead to several negative impacts to a person’s life, depending on the type of addiction. For example, gambling addiction can lead to severe financial issues, sex addiction increases the risk of contracting an STI, and food addiction can lead to obesity and diabetes. When these behaviors impact a person’s everyday life and become a crutch for underlying emotional and mental issues, there may be addiction. Non-substance addicts will constantly seek the rush of endorphins and increase activity. They become serious when the person can no longer control or stop the activity.
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A Co-Worker’s Behavioral Addiction Can Affect You, Too
Just as with substance use disorder, behavioral addiction impacts can be far reaching, including in the workplace and co-workers. The biggest effect all behavioral addictions have in the workplace is lowered performance. Individuals may have increased absenteeism or tardiness because of their addiction which causes co-workers to pick up the slack for them and cost the company more money. Individuals with behavioral addictions are more prone to accidents which can injure themselves or their co-workers due to lack of sleep from participating in addictive behaviors. This can lead to filing more worker’s compensation claims. Individuals may also perform the activity in the workplace, such as those with pornography, gaming, and gambling addictions, also affecting their job performance and productivity. Addictive behaviors can also lead to high turnover rates, thefts, and conflict among employees or with supervisors.
6 Things to Say to a Co-Worker with Behavioral Addiction
When you spend a lot of time with your co-workers, you may get to know them well on a personal level. If you see changes in their mood, their financial situation, and job performance you may suspect they have a type of addiction. Confronting your co-worker about changes you have noticed may be difficult, but you also do not want to sit back and do nothing either. Here are some things you can say to your co-worker about their behavioral addiction:
- Check in and ask them how they are doing. Asking an open-ended question may be easier than coming straight out with your suspicion. This may be what they have needed to open up about their mental health struggles or addiction on their own. They may share financial or sleep problems which can lead you to asking more specific questions about whether they have a problem.
- Express your concerns about negative changes you have observed. Before you start this conversation, make sure you are in a private, distraction free space and have enough time to discuss the issue. Let them know you have seen their work performance decline or other changes you have noticed. Ask them if they are dealing with anything that has led to these changes.
- Ask further questions about their behavioral addiction. If they admit they have been spending a lot of time on an activity, continue to dive deeper into how much of their life it’s impacting. Help them see the negative impacts and how they are not controlling the behavior anymore.
- Offer your support. Assure them you do not judge them and want to help them. Ask them what they are going through and how you can help.
- Suggest support groups. A person with a behavioral addiction may feel isolated, misunderstood, and lonely. Support groups can offer a space to share fears and struggles with others who understand what they are going through. They can also learn effective coping strategies for dealing with triggers.
- Recommend professional help. Encourage your co-worker to reach out for professional help through treatment facilities or counselors. You can recommend they use your employee assistance program to find the right treatment and other resources.
When to Get Help from a Supervisor About a Co-Worker’s Behavioral Addiction
Part of dealing with a co-worker’s addiction is the desire of wanting to cover for them and not get them in trouble with the company. However, if you have already tried confronting them and they refuse to get help, it may be time to ask a supervisor to intervene if their behavioral addiction continues to affect their job performance and you or other co-workers. Continuing to cover up for them is actually enabling their addiction and often those with addiction will not get the help they need until there are consequences for their actions. A supervisor can confront them and the negative impacts to the workplace they have noticed. They may be able to have more influence on the person taking action in getting help for their addiction by letting them know they either have to enter treatment or be let go from their position. This may be the wakeup call your co-worker needs to get a handle on their non-substance addiction.
Union First is Ready to Help with Behavioral Addictions
Union workers, public service employees, and their families can find support and behavioral addiction treatment through Union First, an employee assistance program (EAP). We help connect our members to treatment options in their area through an initial evaluation which will help us to determine what type of addiction or behavioral health treatment you may need. Our team is able to connect you with reputable treatment options and telehealth services that take your union insurance.
Part of our services include job protection services which will ensure your employment, salary, benefits and more stay the same while you get behavioral health treatment. Our experts know how to use federal and state laws and the right steps to take when you take time off for addiction treatment. Your call is always 100% confidential and you can trust our number one priority is helping gain back control of your life so you can go back to your job as quickly as possible.
If you or your family member are struggling with any type of addiction, Union First is available 24/7 to take your call.