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Addictive Behavior Change: Are You Really "Addicted?"


Patrick J. Hart Psy.D.
Beyond Addiction Counseling
Behavioral Solutions to Behavioral Problems
Alternatives and Additions to Traditional "Rehabilitation" Programs
Contemporary Psychology: Cognitive Behavioral Counseling
Dedicated to Skills Development and Functional Behavior Change
Addiction: A Reasonable Definition
"Addiction" (compulsive behavior) is anything I (unwittingly) make highest priority (behaviorally) in my life, over and above other priorities (financial, medical, marital, occupational, social), doing it to my own detriment or the detriment of the people closest to me and continuing to do it in the face of obvious negative consequences.

The Process-Learning Model of Addiction: Beyond the Disease Concept!

 Working compassionately with clients who suffer from addictive behavior problems, I specialize with private assessment and personalized behavior change strategies. If you seek individualized help with the resolution of unwanted and life-defeating habits, struggles with chemicals, or other life-defeating actions – give me a call. I help people find personal solutions to all manner of unwanted compulsive behavior: computer gaming, pornography, binge eating, chat rooms or gambling.


Are you struggling with unwanted life defeating habits?

Have you been unsuccessful at resolving these alone?

Do your unwanted habits seem to be controlling you?

Skills Based Cognitive Behavioral Counseling:
Learn to Take Charge - Of Your Life - and Your Life-Style

 
These Self Tests Will Help You Decide!
Computer Addiction: Problems Related to Internet Technology
  • Online Massively Multipalyer Online Role Play Games
  • Sex Addiction: Chat Room Cyber Affairs
  • Internet Pornography Addiction: Erotica
  • Instant Messenger and Text Messaging
  • Compulsive Gambling or Casino Games
  • Compulsive Shopping or Internet Auction

My professional focus on cognitive behavioral  methods of personal skills-based behavior change helps people resolve "process addictions" that involve no drug abuse or ingestion mind altering chemicals. I offer you skills based solutions to help with compulsive behavior problems involving pornography, internet chat room, computer role play games, online gambling and similar issues of behavioral compulsivity.

Cyber Addiction: Compulsive Use of Gaming Technology
The term "cyber addiction" has been cleverly coined to describe compulsive behavior problems related to computer use, console games and various forms of internet technology. Such "clean addictions" have been highlighted as reflecting non-chemical dependencies. A virtual wave of popularity has found game consoles like the X Box, PlayStation, and Nintendo Wii, to be common entertainment in American Households. This wave of virtual entertainment has revealed in its wake some alarming addictive consequence.

The "cyber addict" has emerged, and this finds compulsive gamers grafting themselves to game consoles as their life vitality virtually deteriorates - and washes away in cyber-reality. The pattern of life compromises parallels the pattern of symptoms found in those that suffer chemical dependency - occupations are squandered, marriages are destroyed, mental and behavioral health becomes disorganized - much like the symptoms associated with narcotic addiction. 

Internet Addictive Disorder:
Massively Multi Player Online Role Play Games:



The Stages of Change Model: Learning Addictive Behavior Change:

Establish Your Personal Readiness: Lasting Behavior Change Strategies
For people who are struggling –"perpetually getting ready to quit"– my practice offers motivational interviewing and helpful educational-behavioral-rehearsal counseling that warmly assists ambivalent, frightened users in effectively learning to escape the  – often fatal grip – of addictive behavior patterns and substance abuse.

Immediate Confidential Consultation: Help is a Phone Call Away!
206-547-HELP (4357)
206-769-STOP (7867)

American Psychological Association:
Addictions Treatment: Substance Abuse vs Chemical Dependency

Spotlight on Recovery in Seattle:
The Addiction Stigma Reduction Project

 Clean Addictions:
Psych Central: An Introduction to Compulsive Gambling

Process Addiction Concepts:
Can People be "Addicted" to Anything & Everything?

The Addictive Personality:
Separating Fact from Fiction and Fable: Am I Really an Addict?

Dr. Patrick J. Hart : Private Addiction Counselor
Traditional Drug Alcohol Addiction Rehab: It's Not for Everybody!