Compulsions involve an overwhelming urge to do something but don’t create satiation in the brain’s reward circuitry.
Unfortunately, the misuse of addiction vs. compulsion creates confusion, especially for people experiencing these conditions.
It also creates confusion for professionals trying to help people progress through treatment.
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At a Glance
While addition and compulsion share some commonalities, they mean different things.
By getting an accurate diagnosis, a health professional can recommend appropriate treatments that can help.
Compulsions refer to repetitive behaviors that people feel compelled to engage in due to obsessions.
These obsessions create a sense of anxiety, so people engage in compulsions to relieve those feelings of distress.
Examples of compulsions that a person might experience include excessive hand washing, counting, or checking locks.
Compulsions are also asymptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Compulsions in OCD are often directly related toobsessions, which are repeated thoughts that generate distress.
Consuming that substance or engaging in that behavior produces rewarding feelings of pleasure.
Compulsions do play a role in the addiction process.
Pleasure
A major distinction between addiction and compulsion is the way they are perceived.
Someone with an obsession with contamination, for example, may develop compulsions that involve excessive washing and cleaning.
Compulsions often cause emotional distress when they’re carried out, even if they do offer some temporary relief.
Instead, they are just seeking relief from the urge to engage in it.
Reality vs.
Denial
Another major distinction between an addiction and a compulsion has to do with awareness and acceptance of reality.
They may not recognize the negative consequences their addiction is causing.
This is known asdenial, and it’s a core component of the addictive process in the brain.
Distressing Thoughts vs.
External Cues
Compulsions and addictions also differ in terms of the triggers that lead to a behavior.
Obsessions orintrusive thoughtsoften trigger compulsions in OCD.
Such thoughts generate distress, which then leads to compulsive behavior.
In addiction, behaviors can be triggered by a variety of causes.
Emotional states, stress, environmental cues, or exposure to substance/behavior-related stimuli can often lead to the behavior.
Treatment for Compulsions vs. Addictions
Addiction and OCD can both cause major disruptions in your life.
However, both conditions are treatable, and seeking professional help is important.
Treatment for Addiction
Treatment for addictioncan vary based on what you are addicted to.
Your doctor may also prescribe medication to address the neurochemistry associated with pleasure in the brain.
For example,naltrexoneis a medication that blocks the sense of pleasure induced by opiates.
Therapy is also an important component of addiction treatment.
This may include individual or group counseling, as well as a stay in a residential treatment facility.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Treatments are available that can help people overcome compulsive behaviors and addictions.
Compulsive disorders involve experiencing an uncontrollable and overwhelming urge to do something.
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