Cross Addiction

Family, friends, and even recovering addicts are often very in tune to the possible signs that relapse is imminent. However, what many do not realize is that relapse can come in another form other than just returning to the person’s former substance or behavior of abuse. This article explains a phenomenon known as cross addiction and gives addicts and their loved ones strategies for recognizing and dealing with it should it occur.

Understanding Cross Addiction

As with any other chronic condition, addiction requires that those in recovery be attentive to their state of mental health for their entire lives.  If a recovering addict gets careless or overly confident, that person may relapse.  Even individuals who have only an indirect experience of addiction are usually familiar with the concept of relapse; however, other post-rehab issues that could arise include post-acute withdrawal syndrome and, as this article describes, cross addiction (sometimes referred to as addiction transfer).

In addiction transfer, a recovering addict substitutes a new behavior or substance for the one that they stopped. A former marijuana user who picks up smoking is an example.  Some people may overeat whereas others may become obsessed with a new hobby. Although these are less worrisome examples, some recovering addicts may try substances or engage in behaviors that are equally or even more detrimental than those that they just gave up.  A number of scholars believe that people are most likely to stay within the same drug category if they develop a cross addiction.  This means that a recovering cocaine addict would be more likely to become addicted to another stimulant such as Adderall rather than an opiate drug like Oxycontin.  However, all addictions share the experience of overactive dopamine in the brain, which means that any activity that makes the person feel good—whether that means huffing inhalants or playing slots—could lead to a cross addiction.

Preventing Cross Addiction

The first step to preventing cross addiction is simply being aware of the possibility of developing it.  If an obsessive behavior is not detrimentally affecting the person’s life, career, physical or mental health, relationships, social activities, or finances, it may not be necessary to address it.  For example, a person who has become interested in exercise or going on hikes—and who remains grounded in reality and able to handle stress—will likely not need treatment.  However, if a substance or behavior is having negative consequences for the person in recovery and/or their loved ones, it should not simply be ignored.  Even if you perceive the replacement to be the lesser of two evils, there is no guarantee that it will not lead to more destructive behaviors or cause problems in and of itself.  If you attended a 12-step program like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous during recovery, continue to regularly attend meetings and discuss challenges that you encounter, even if they aren’t directly related to the old substance.  A therapist can also be incredibly helpful for resolving past and present emotional issues (like social anxiety after rehab or lingering memories of trauma).