Introducing the Integrative Approach to Behavioral Addiction
Behavioral Addictions:Addictions can come in many forms. For many, it is harder to not eat that cheeseburger than it is to not smoke that cigarette or drink that beer. For others it may be harder to not consistently use sex as a therapy. Yet and still, others may have the hardest time not placing a bet on their favorite prizefighter. Regardless of the category, the person may or may not fall under these three areas constitute behavioral addictions. The upcoming Integrative Addiction Conference being held in Austin, Texas covers these topics and many others.
There are a number of ways to potentially treat behavioral addictions. Some approaches may look to study extensively the genetics of the person and then decide the best approach to treatment that way. Others may focus on sociological and/or psychological factors. In essence, the distinction being made here is that of nature versus nurture. However, much like the great philosopher Aristotle said, the best approach to a person’s behavior would be one that understands thoroughly not one or the other, but rather, both of the areas. It is not nature or nurture – it is nature and nurture. The true cultivation of a human being and their habits is derived from both the people we were born as, as well as from the things we learn and the habits we acquire from our teachers and peers. These are simplifications alluding to the age old anthropological debate, but this should be understood as a mere analogy. An integrative approach to behavioral addiction then, is one that takes in to consideration both genetic or neurological data while also considering an individual’s unique social and psychological environment.
Check out the Integrative Addiction Conference Being Held In Austin, Texas
Modern medicine, then, coupled with psychological treatment should both play a role in a successful integrative approach to behavioral addiction. In fact, this traditional dichotomy, even when combined, is still outdated. It really should not stop there. An integrative approach to behavioral addiction can be taken in the most literal of terms. Thus a successful integrative approach to behavioral addiction should be multifaceted, incorporating a number or potential treatment styles. According to the integrated approach philosophy this is essential to maintain function and successfully treat addiction and recovery. The ideal therapy should incorporate a number of approaches such as neurological, social, communal, psychological, or familial factors. This is the basic idea behind the integrative approach to behavioral addiction.
The multifaceted and nuanced approach may bother some used to more cut and dry or traditional methods and approaches to behavioral therapy, but these integrated methods to not exist without justification. Quantitative and qualitative data informs such approaches. As human beings, we most often want to simplify things or put them in categories for our own convenience. In many instances, the underlying reality operating before us that is life is actually more complex than our natural capacities or inclinations want it to be.
For this reason, there is a general trend across various disciplines, academic and professional, that look to incorporate the most multifaceted approaches possible. Rather than relying only on medical data to provide research on depression pills, psychological information is understood to create a more informed outlook. Rather than looking only to the field of Archaeology to understand a given artifact, the field of History is referenced to better understand the social significance of the artifact. As opposed to only referencing empirical physical sciences and quantifier logic to write a contemporary analytic philosophy paper, the poetry of Goethe is referenced and adds perspective to a given metaphysics or epistemology by separating from the leaves and branches and showing us the trees and forest. The general professional and academic trend then is one of being multidiscipline, or multifaceted in approach. The former dichotomies of treatment then should no longer bind us and in fact, most evidence tends to point against them, at least in the most absolute and confining sense of the dichotomy.
What we do know, however, is that the decisions that we make on a daily basis indubitably change the person who we become. This is why a more multifaceted and integrated approach is most likely the most logically sound and effective one. It allows us to take into consideration all of the individual’s unique factors when formulating a treatment plan. If someone is struggling greatly with food, it is important not only what his or her genetic predisposition is, but also what available food is around their everyday environment. Even further, why is it the case that this food is what is available? What are the current socio/economic conditions of the area the person is in? What other hurdles might be getting in the way or discouraging recovery? If there are any, what are the negative influences? Are they people? Are they activities? These are all potential things to consider if we want to have an integrated approach to behavioral addiction.
Similar questions (yet specific to each addiction) should be asked for both gambling and sex addictions as well. The complex physical, psychological, and social factors tend to determine an individual’s behavior. Because of this, an integrated approach to treating these addictive behaviors is a potentially successful and complete one.
The best way to learn all about the integrated approach to behavioral addiction is to attend the upcoming Integrative Addiction Conference being held in Austin, Texas.
