Addiction is a word we tend to associate with dependence on drugs or alcohol. It can also be associated with eating, gambling, or even sex. However, not many people realize that there is another type of addiction that is more internalized—Emotional Addiction. Many of us were taught to accept the ebb and flow of our emotions. But sometimes, emotions can present dangerous realities to those who feel them. Our emotional habits and addiction can be closely intertwined and lead to adverse consequences for our physical and mental health and social and professional relationships.
Emotional addiction is different than addiction to drugs or alcohol because it presents as more pervasive and less noticeable. It colors how you view the world and respond to circumstances. To break emotional addiction, you must become conscious of these unhealthy patterns and learn to adapt these feelings with more constructive responses.
7 Summit Pathways offers addiction treatment programs in Florida to address a range of emotional habits and addiction. Call (813) 212-8129 to learn more about our programs and services or to get started today.
Understanding Emotional Habits and Addiction
Emotions are extremely powerful. When properly managed and integrated with cognitive functions like logic and reason, your emotions expand your capacity for productivity, self-care, and healthy relationships. According to research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), emotions involve complex brain mechanisms that influence behavior, decision-making, and overall mental health. Because emotions evolved as primitive instincts, they can bypass logic and reasonable considerations, often leading us to disregard consequences. When someone has an emotional addiction, this is precisely what they experience.
Those who develop an emotional addiction become hooked on feeling a familiar way or responding to their powerful, innate emotions. The brain gives off chemical reactions in response to certain emotions, similar to those experienced while taking part in other addictive behaviors or substances. Research from NIMH shows that neural circuits responsible for emotional regulation involve neurotransmitters—chemical messengers in the brain—that can become imbalanced, affecting mood, thinking, and behavior patterns.
People with emotional addiction can become dependent on a particular emotion for:
- Comfort
- Relief
- Distraction
- Escape
The emotion grows into an obsession, a compulsion, and an addiction.
Those who develop an emotional addiction might feel as if they live at the mercy of their feelings. Every circumstance is filtered through their default emotion and forms their worldview. This pattern often co-exists with mental health disorders and can complicate recovery from substance use disorders.
The Connection Between Emotional Addiction and Substance Use
The relationship between emotional habits and substance use is well-documented. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately 43% of individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders also have at least one co-occurring mental health disorder. This bidirectional relationship means emotional addiction and substance abuse often reinforce each other, creating a destructive cycle.
When emotions become idolized above healthier coping skills, the developed addiction can lead an individual to experience adverse side effects, such as:
- Unwise decision making
- Inappropriate behaviors
- Faulty self-management or planning
- Impaired productivity
- Injured relationships
- Increased risk of substance use disorders
When someone is dependent on emotions for stress relief, they are likely to turn to other outlets of self-medication, such as drugs and alcohol, in times of extreme stress. Our dual diagnosis treatment program addresses both emotional habits and substance use disorders simultaneously for the most effective recovery outcomes.
Understanding Emotional Habits
Another way to view emotional addiction is as an emotional habit. Habit forming takes place when repeated actions become second nature. So, developing an emotional habit means unconsciously training yourself to respond to various triggers with a default emotional reaction. Over time, that feeling becomes a baseline for responding to the world. If anger is your default emotion, you might find yourself turning to it whenever you’re uncertain. You may even feel a sense of calm as this emotion washes over you.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that integrated treatment approaches addressing both behavioral patterns and substance use lead to better outcomes than treating either condition alone. Understanding your emotional habits is the first step toward breaking free from this cycle.
How to Break Emotional Addiction: Evidence-Based Strategies
The key to breaking emotional addiction and changing your emotional habit is to develop resilience to how you feel. This includes awareness of and control over your emotions. As you break the chains of emotional addiction, you give your body a rest from the chemical fixes it received from these emotional responses and allow natural healing to occur.
1. Identify Your Emotional Habit
Emotional addiction can feel like it’s always been a part of you. However, as you observe yourself in the minutia of everyday life, you’ll see patterns in your reactions. Once you recognize these emotional habits, you’re ready to move forward. Our cognitive-behavioral therapy program helps individuals identify and modify these patterns through evidence-based techniques.
2. Re-wire Your Brain’s Reward System
Whether through meditations or daily affirmations, your goal is to gain the power to produce real change. When an emotion starts to overpower you, give yourself time to calm down, even if that means stepping away from a situation. Some people find mantras they can repeat in emotionally charged situations. Meditative therapy and other holistic approaches can support this rewiring process.
3. Resist the Urge to Brood
When you brood over something distressing, you rarely gain insight into it. You just end up replaying upsetting situations in your head. If you catch yourself brooding, distract yourself with a positive activity—exercise, crossword puzzles, or TV. Engaging in holistic therapy options can provide healthy outlets for processing difficult emotions.
4. Care for Your Self-Esteem
When you discover an emotional addiction, you may feel shame. Try to show compassion and understanding to yourself. Self-esteem is like an emotional immune system—if nurtured, it can provide strength. Move forward, focusing on the things you appreciate about yourself and the hope of a better future.
5. Have Patience with the Process
Most people develop emotional addictions after decades, so it’s unrealistic to expect instant change. Dedicate yourself to the process, but take breaks when needed. Re-programming how your brain responds to circumstances takes time. Keep your chin up and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Professional Treatment for Co-Existing Emotional Addiction
Emotional addiction often co-exists with other addictions or mental illnesses. Research from NIDA indicates that people with co-occurring disorders often have symptoms that are more persistent, severe, and resistant to treatment compared with patients who have either disorder alone. This is why comprehensive, integrated treatment is essential.
If you need help confronting the emotional habits standing in the way of addiction recovery, contact 7 Summit Pathways at (813) 212-8129 or online. As part of our evidence-based therapy approach, we focus on the 7 Dimensions of Wellness for each patient, one of which is Emotional Wellness.
Comprehensive Treatment Programs
Our facility offers multiple levels of care to address emotional addiction and co-occurring disorders:
- Residential Addiction Treatment: Intensive 24/7 care in a supportive environment
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Structured daytime treatment with evening flexibility
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Comprehensive care while maintaining daily responsibilities
- Outpatient Treatment: Ongoing support for sustained recovery
Specialized Therapeutic Services
Our evidence-based treatment approaches include:
- Depression Treatment: Addressing mood disorders that fuel emotional addiction
- Anxiety Treatment: Managing anxiety that contributes to emotional habits
- Trauma Therapy: Healing underlying trauma that drives emotional patterns
- Group Therapy: Peer support and shared recovery experiences
- Family Therapy: Rebuilding healthy relationships
The Science Behind Emotional Recovery
According to SAMHSA, behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and motivational interviewing can help individuals build coping skills and learn to manage co-occurring emotional patterns and substance use disorders. These evidence-based approaches have been shown to produce lasting changes in brain function and behavior.
NIMH research demonstrates that with proper treatment, individuals can develop healthier emotional regulation patterns. The brain’s neuroplasticity—its ability to form new neural connections—means that even long-standing emotional habits can be changed with consistent effort and professional support.
Take the First Step Toward Emotional Freedom
Whatever emotional challenges you may be facing, we’re here to help. We invite you to schedule your appointment at our treatment center in Tampa, FL.
At 7 Summit Pathways, located at 1910 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33619, we understand that breaking free from emotional addiction requires comprehensive care that addresses both the mind and body. Our compassionate team provides individualized treatment plans that help you:
- Identify and understand your emotional patterns
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Address underlying mental health conditions
- Build resilience and emotional regulation skills
- Create a sustainable recovery foundation
Don’t let emotional addiction control your life any longer. Call 7 Summit Pathways at (813) 212-8129 today to begin your journey toward emotional freedom and lasting recovery.
Clinical References
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “Understanding Brain Mechanisms in Mental Health.” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions.” https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “Mental Health and Substance Use Co-Occurring Disorders.” https://www.samhsa.gov/
- National Institute of Mental Health. “Substance Use and Mental Health.” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health