ADDICTION & IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR
Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.” – Steve Maraboli
Impulse Control and Addiction Therapy IN NEW JERSEY
Whether you call it a “bad habit,” a compulsion, or an addiction, some individuals feel driven to repeat pleasurable behaviors to the point of harming themselves — and often others as well. For those struggling, the urge to engage in certain behaviors can feel overwhelming and beyond their control.
How can you tell the difference between harmless fun and a more serious problem like addiction or compulsion? The key lies in the presence and extent of negative consequences. When important areas of life — such as finances, family relationships, or employment — are being negatively impacted, it’s a strong indication that seeking professional help may be necessary.
At Hope Instilled in Branchburg NJ, we recognize how challenging living with addiction can be. You don’t have to navigate it by yourself. Our individualized therapy services are thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of our community with both compassion and professional, private care.
When most people hear the word “addiction”, they think of drugs or alcohol. For the intents and purposes of this page, we are defining addiction and impulsive behavior to relate to the below activities. For more on Drugs or alcohol, please visit our Substance Abuse page.
- Gambling
- Shopping
- Internet pornography
- Video gaming
- Overeating
- Internet role playing games/chatting
- Relationship dependency
- Compulsive participation in a hobby
- Compulsive sexual behavior
- Excessive devotion to work
- Compulsive involvement in sports or fantasy sports
At Hope Instilled in Branchburg NJ, we recognize how challenging living with addiction can be. You don’t have to navigate it by yourself. Our individualized therapy services are thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of our community with both compassion and professional, private care.
SEEKING HELP FOR NON-SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR IN NEW JERSEY
If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, seeking a professional evaluation and treatment is strongly encouraged.
At Hope Instilled, we understand that your mental health is essential, and we’re here to help you tap into its strength so you can live a happier, more fulfilling life. You are more than just a case file to us — we reject one-size-fits-all solutions for treating addiction & impulsive disorders.
We believe mental health care should be accessible, personalized, and welcoming for everyone who needs support.
Schedule a Free 15 Minute Consultation Today
There’s no reason to delay. Connect with Hope Instilled today, and take a step towards your mental health goals. We’ll be happy to take your call.
Getting Started Is Simple
- Fill out the form on our Contact Page and we’ll gather some information and set up a 15 minute call with a therapist.
- Attend your 15 minute welcome call. You’ll have a consultation where you can share how you’re feeling and decide on the next steps together.
- Make Progress & Feel Better – Work with me to resolve your mental health issues and become more confident in yourself.
- Aftercare – I would love to say that every success is permanent. However, life has its detours which may lead you back to me for a return visit. It’s OK, we would love to chat again and help you get back on the road to mental wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-substance addiction refers to addictive behaviors that don’t involve the use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol. Activities such as risky sexual behavior, compulsive eating, and other behavioral patterns fall under this category. These are often classified as behavioral addictions.
Whenever someone repeatedly engages in a behavior they find stimulating, their brain releases a surge of dopamine. Unlike substance-based addictions, where the substance itself triggers chemical changes, in behavioral addictions, the dopamine release stems from a deeply ingrained psychological belief that the behavior will bring some form of reward. Our brains are powerful systems, and during non-substance addictive behaviors, the sense of stimulation comes largely from what our mind anticipates the behavior will provide.
Getting to the root of non-substance addiction and understanding its causes can be challenging. Many individuals who struggle with obsessive behaviors often experience boredom, anxiety, depression, and may also have a history of trauma.
Since humans naturally prefer routine over chaos, it’s easy to develop an attachment—or even an addiction—to certain patterns. Take, for example, the common habit of drinking coffee or tea each morning. While we may not label ourselves as addicts, technically, we are. When we attempt to give up these habits, we often experience not only physical withdrawal symptoms but also emotional distress, feeling anxious or unsettled without the familiar ritual that once anchored our day.
One of the more concerning non-substance addictions today is cell phone use. A quick glance around any coffee shop or restaurant reveals dozens of people absorbed in their devices while waiting. Many of us instinctively reach for our phones first thing in the morning and check them one last time before bed. It’s easy to overlook how dependent we’ve become—until we try to step away and realize how difficult it is. Cell phone addiction can be especially harmful to children, whose developing brains are highly sensitive to overexposure. Early and excessive use is linked to issues such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
So how can you tell if a routine has crossed into addiction? A helpful guideline is to consider whether the behavior is negatively affecting your daily life, harming relationships, causing emotional distress, or leading to feelings of isolation. Additionally, if you find yourself hiding the behavior or lying about it, it’s often a strong indication of a non-substance addiction.
Non-substance addictions can be particularly challenging to treat because many of the behaviors involved are essential parts of daily life. For instance, we can’t live without food, and avoiding cell phone use entirely is nearly impossible in today’s world. While some behaviors can be completely eliminated, others must be managed. Success often comes from shifting how we view the behavior, setting clear boundaries, and adjusting habits to regain control. When possible, it’s best to fully abstain from behaviors that are not necessary for daily living. Here are a few treatment options to consider:
Meetings and Support Groups – Many support groups are available that address specific addictions, even those unrelated to substances. Being part of a group provides accountability and a sense of community, both of which can be critical for maintaining “sobriety” from a behavioral addiction.
Therapy – Working with a therapist can help uncover the root causes of compulsive behaviors and provide practical coping strategies for overcoming them.
Complete Detox – In some cases, taking a break from behaviors or substances we can’t entirely eliminate—like phone use or sugar—can be beneficial. Consulting experts and creating a structured plan can help reset the brain’s reward system. It’s important to note that for severe sugar or caffeine addictions, complete elimination may be necessary depending on the individual’s needs and treatment approach.
Pursue Hobbies and Practice Meditation – Much of the drive behind non-substance addictions stems from feelings of loneliness, boredom, or emotional dissatisfaction. Finding a new hobby, building new friendships, and developing fulfilling activities can offer healthier ways to stimulate the brain’s reward system. Meditation can also be a powerful tool for reducing anxiety and bringing greater focus to the present moment.
