Cross Addiction: What It Is and What You Can Do about It

A complicated mental health condition, addiction can develop when someone has immature or underdeveloped coping mechanisms and uses drugs or alcohol to escape from uncomfortable, negative emotions and memories (Read Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: When the Past Affects the Present, Suicide and Substance Abuse: Know the Risks, and Substance Abuse: Causing and Coping with Domestic Violence). If the person is able to successfully go through detox but does not resolve the true, underlying issues while in rehab, they may be at a higher risk for relapse when confronted with a life stressor  (Read Reduce the Risk of Relapse, 10 Healthy Alternatives for Coping with Stress, and Don’t Give Up: Relapse Isn’t Failure) or they may develop a cross addiction.

What is a cross addiction?

Also called addiction transfer, a cross addiction occurs when a person who has recently ended an addiction develops an addiction to another substance or behavior to replace it.  If a recovering alcoholic starts smoking, this would be an example of addiction transfer. Food (eating) is a common replacement for many individuals.

Who is at risk for getting a cross addiction?

Some people believe that recovering addicts who develop addiction transfer are most likely to start using a substance within the same drug category. In other words, someone who used a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant like cocaine may continue using other stimulants like, for example, Adderall. However, dopamine  (the "feels good," rewarding neurotransmitter) release in the brain is the common denominator among the vast majority of addictions. For this reason, any substance or behavior that produces dopamine - including sex, eating, gambling, video games, or even shopping - could be used as a replacement for the original substance (Read Signs of a Gambling Problem).

Can I do anything to prevent a cross addiction?

A person with an addictive personality may have trouble restraining their behavior when they find a hobby or activity that they enjoy.  If the replacement behavior is positive (like cooking or exercise) and not doing physical, psychological, or financial harm to yourself or others, it may not be necessary to try to end it; however, you should still try to resolve any underlining problems with your psychiatrist or therapist. Having an arsenal of positive ways to cope with life stressors is a good foundation for avoiding the trap of cross addiction to another substance; if you are struggling with emotions from the past or current relationship instability, it may be worth the time and effort to find a therapist who you feel comfortable discussing such a personal topic with (Read Talk It Out: Is Therapy Right for You?, The Whole Truth: Why You Should Be Honest with Your Doctor, and Who’s Who in Addiction Medicine). A newly sober person may experience some social anxiety because they have likely lost many of the friends who encouraged their addiction; this is another excellent topic to discuss with your psychologist (Read Life After Alcoholism: Overcoming Social Anxiety). Some people may find that the biggest temptation after recovering from an addiction is cravings.  Although certain individuals can learn to overcome cravings for drugs or alcohol with therapy alone, others may need a replacement drug to successfully do so (Read Gotta Have It? Control Your Cravings and Methadone Treatments: Are They for You?).