Addiction treatment therapies are numerous and varied. Because of addiction’s complexity and pervasive consequences, addiction treatment typically must involve many components, to treat not only the person affected directly by the addictive behavior, but also the rest of the family members. Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family and may be related to traits passed down from generation to generation. When an individual is struggling with addiction, the entire family usually bears as well with the consequences of the disease. As a result, families may experience a poor quality of life in many ways.
Most addicts usually face more than one addiction at the same time. These addictions not only coexist but also interact and reinforce the addictive behavior. Addicted persons are likely to struggle with two or more of the following addiction at any given time:
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Gambling
- Sex
- Eating
- Work
- Internet
- Shopping
- Hoarding
Any type of addiction disorder can become chronic and progressive if left unaddressed.