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    Substituting one addiction for another

    Written by: Alastair Mordey

    Many people who go through treatment for addiction often forget about the risk of substituting their old addiction for a new one; this type of behaviour can lead to many future problems. Once this is realized, it can become a concern for them and their loved ones. Substituting an addiction for something else can be very unhealthy and create problems, so it is important for anyone in recovery to understand what substituting an addiction means, how to recognize it, and what to do if it happens.

    What Does Substituting Addiction Mean?


    Substituting an addiction means to replace a previous addiction with a new one. While not all substitutions are unhealthy, the behavior that causes them is. Anything that a person does that is compulsive, that they cannot live without, no matter what the consequences are, is an addiction.

    Recognizing Substitute Addiction
    It is important for a recovering addict and their families to be able to recognize a substitute addiction. If not caught, the person's healthy behaviour can quickly turn back into an addictive behaviour. Substituting can be alcohol to drugs or vice versa, gambling, overeating, excessive exercise, overworking, compulsive spending, or compulsive sexual behaviour's.

    The person may begin to only focus on their ?new thing?; such as, when they can go back to the casino or take their next pill. They may exercise so much that they begin to look sick, or may spend money like there is no end to it. Just as in their previous addiction, they will compulsively think about when they can satisfy their need or cravings. Things are now turning into a pattern of unhealthy behaviour and they are developing a substitution addiction.

    Examples of Substituting

    One example of a substitute addiction is as follows. Take a person who went to treatment for alcoholism. They successfully completed treatment and went home to begin their recovery. A few weeks later, they begin to feel stressed or anxious because of their new life, new job, etc. They may begin to feel they are unable to deal with daily minor frustrations. They may not want to drink for fear of a relapse; these feelings alone can create unnecessary stress. So the person may begin smoking cigarettes, increase their cigarette intake if they are already smokers, or take a sedative medication. They may begin to substitute their alcoholism with another substance and may become addicted to it.

    Another substitution that is very common is overworking. If a person is working on a non-stop basis, they may feel that it is ok, as it is keeping them occupied. However, if they begin to bring their work home and devote any free time they have to work, they are becoming compulsive. Their family may be ignored, their own health may be ignored, and anything outside of their work is ignored. They may no longer be addicted to drugs or alcohol, but they now have an unhealthy addiction to work.

    What's wrong with Substituting an Addiction?

    Often times a recovering addict may feel that their new behaviour's are ok; what they are doing is just helping them to alleviate some stress. They may feel that they have everything under control, and that it is a once in a while thing. The real problem is the recovering addict's behaviour. While they may be free from their last addiction, they are still engaged in addictive activity and compulsive behaviour.

    If a person or their loved one is beginning to notice a pattern of consistency, or obsessions with something, the recovering addict may be developing a substitute addiction. As with any addiction, there are ways to handle it.

    How to Treat a Substitute Addiction
    What to Consider

    One must also consider how long they have had the new addiction, how compulsive it is, and how many consequences they have had because of the substitution. If a person substituted their past addiction with drugs or alcohol, then it would be best to get into a rehab.

    Outside Counselling or Therapy

    Drugs or alcohol might not be what the person is substituting. This can make them not qualify for treatment at a rehab centre. If this is the case, they may need to seek other counselling or therapy.


    No matter what the situation is, they again have to learn how to change their pattern of behavior. In other words, they must be able to turn their unhealthy behaviour in to healthy behaviour. Cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT is excellent for this. The whole point of CBT is to learn how to develop healthy behaviour's. Many rehabs offer CBT and some will even help the person after rehab through an aftercare program. There are also CBT counsellors and therapists that can help with a substitute addiction.
    Changing Their Behaviour's

    12 Step Meetings and Other Support Groups

    12 step group meetings or other support groups can also help a person substituting an addiction. A person can listen to other recovering addict's stories and learn from them. These groups are full of people who can relate to similar experiences and situations. They give support and do not judge. All in all, the person must go back to the basics of recovery.

    Recognize It, Treat It

    There is no set time for treating a substitute addiction. Some are easy to overcome and others may take just as long as the original addiction. The quicker that a person is able to recognize their compulsive behaviors or their substituting, the easier it may be to treat it.

    Thought I bump this.
    Last edited by mario; April 4, 2017, 01:11 AM.


    :congratulatory: Clean & Sober since 13/01/2009 :congratulatory:

    Until one is committed there is always hesitant thoughts.
    I know enough to know that I don't know enough.

    This signature has been typed in front of a live studio audience.

    #2
    Substituting one addiction for another

    Thanks Mario. I think I have been switching addictions from my early 20's so I completely believe your post. I didn't become an Alcoholic until my 30's as I had other addictions in my 20's. To get rid of each one I switched to the next the last being AL, so I am now very watchful as I feel I'm ending my addiction to AL, that I don't just move on to the next thing....

    That being said, I have wished for years I would switch to an exercise addiction! Okay, maybe a moderate exercise addiction....

    Comment


      #3
      Substituting one addiction for another

      Thank you for posting!
      "I've done it. I don't need to drink anymore. I'm free!"-Jason Vale

      Comment


        #4
        Substituting one addiction for another

        Thanks Mario!

        Comment


          #5
          Substituting one addiction for another

          Thanks Mario, I don't think I'm generally an addictive person but will certainly examine my conscience. I do know that I have had 'ciggie' thoughts recently having not smoked for 25 years mmmmm, will think on, on that one
          Molly
          Contentedly sober since 27/12/2011
          contentedly NF since 8/04/14

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            #6
            Substituting one addiction for another

            GREAT post Mario. I know I have an addictive personality so I always need to be on guard!
            Outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog its too dark to read

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              #7
              Substituting one addiction for another

              I am hoping my substitute is sex or chocolate...

              Comment


                #8
                Substituting one addiction for another

                Good one Mario, i'm hoping my substitute is sex AND chocolate
                AF 5/jan/2011

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                  #9
                  Substituting one addiction for another

                  Mohun;1021726 wrote: I am hoping my substitute is sex or chocolate...
                  madmans;1022683 wrote:
                  Good one Mario, i'm hoping my substitute is sex AND chocolate
                  :H:H:H

                  I'm with Madman, need the sex to work off the chocolate.....
                  "In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer ."
                  AF - JAN 1st 2010
                  NF - May 1996

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Substituting one addiction for another

                    Who needs the chocolate?:H

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                      #11
                      Substituting one addiction for another

                      This is a very serious topic,




                      i would rather the sex :-)


                      :congratulatory: Clean & Sober since 13/01/2009 :congratulatory:

                      Until one is committed there is always hesitant thoughts.
                      I know enough to know that I don't know enough.

                      This signature has been typed in front of a live studio audience.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Substituting one addiction for another

                        lol....Thanks for post mario, i need to be on guard, not with the sex, i still need to learn how to show my emotionals.....
                        codependence there is a lot in there about addictive behaviour, like controlling...
                        Formerly known as Teardrop:l
                        sober dry since 11th Jan '2010' relapse/slip on 23/7/13 working in progress ! Sober date 25/7/13 ( True learning has often followed an eclipse, a time of darkness, but with each cycle of my recovery, the light grows stronger and my vision is clearer. (AA)
                        my desire to avoid hitting bottom again was more powerful then my desire to drink !

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Substituting one addiction for another

                          Great topic and quite relevant
                          My mom had quit smoking went into rehab and started smoking again. She stayed abstinent from alcohol but 13 years later died of kidney cancer brought on by the smoking. She also suffered from emphysema a lot. It was good for her to be recovered from alcohol tho.She was able to know her family and be a fully functioning human in spite of her other problems.

                          When I first stopped drinking I allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted for 5 months as I didn't want to be fighting a battle on 2 fronts but I have recently put myself on a healthy but not too crazy/compulsive diet and exercise routine for the past 6 months and it is going well. I must avoid overdoing it as I had a "near miss" with anorexia in my early 20s. So my goals are long term and realistic.

                          All pleasure, including addictive pleasures, share a common pathway through our reward cuircitry in our nervous system . Our brains are very efficient here, but that means that almost anything we enjoy can be abused and addictive! Even healthy and wholesome things like sex and chocolate! Moderation is in order and if not possible abstinence or other limiting strategies. I, for instance, do not buy chocolate or chips in large quantities. Sometimes that is the best we can do. Thank goodness alcohol is something we don't need to have at all.
                          Best of luck
                          Good thread
                          Sunny

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                            #14
                            Substituting one addiction for another

                            Just a little reminder, I am fighting my chocolate addiction now, here's to the New year...
                            Alcohol free since 13th January 2009

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                              #15
                              Substituting one addiction for another

                              Mine is ice cream, especially Turkey Hill All Natural salted caramel. It is a new year, time to cut back now. I'm not overweight, but I have put some back on that I had lost. I just can't sit in front of the fireplace eating this stuff until it's gone.
                              My life is better without alcohol, since 9/1/12. My sobriety tool is the list at permalink 236 on the toolbox thread under monthly abstinance.

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