Exercise addiction is an example of an addiction that a person may develop to replace an eating or drug addiction. People who have addictive personalities have a tendency to become addicted to nearly anything. They stand in danger of replacing one addiction with another. For example, a person may replace a drug addiction with an alcohol or cigarette addiction without realizing it. Call 866.294.5306 to learn about our behavioral therapy program options.
What Is Exercise Addiction?
The definition of addiction is psychological bondage to a habit. A person who is suffering from exercise addiction is consumed with the concept of exercise. Every thought, action and desire involves the art of exercising. While exercise has some positive aspects when a person does it right, it can also cause severe damage if when people overdo it and abuse their bodies.
People who exercise too much often express themselves emotionally through their bodies. They might become obsessed with the effect that exercising has on their muscles, and eventually develop muscle dysmorphia: this is a psychological disorder where one becomes fixated on the idea that they look small and weak.
Individuals who suffer from exercise addiction often find it difficult to focus on the important things in their lives, such as time with friends and family, work or school. They might also start avoiding social situations because they feel uncomfortable when they are not exercising.
The Causes of Exercise Addiction
The discomfort of giving up one habit can cause a person to develop exercise addiction. The musical artist Eminem is an example of a person who traded one addiction for another. The rapper became addicted to jogging and other exercises after he stopped using hard drugs.
Why Habit-For-Habit Addiction Occurs
Habit replacement comes from the reward system in the brain. The addicted person gets used to feeling the rush of reward that comes from the original addiction. The individual then replaces it with something else that causes the same rush. Exercise causes a jolt of brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which can produce highly pleasurable results.
The Dangers of Too Much Exercise
Addiction to exercise can result in dangerous circumstances and situations. One thing that over-exercising can cause is dehydration. A person who exercises needs to replenish his or her liquids on a continuous basis.
One of the most common symptoms of exercise addiction is fatigue. This happens because when people do not get the rest and sleep their body requires, they become fatigued and eventually develop health issues. People who suffer from this type of addiction might also tend to skip meals in order to continue exercising: this results in malnutrition. Exercising can even become a means of coping with problems and relieving stress for some people.
Exercising too much can cause fatigue, depression, heart problems, low blood sugar, muscle pains and more.
Getting Help for Exercise Dependency
Exercise addiction is a type of behavioral addiction that can have severe health consequences if it is not treated in time. If you suspect that someone you know may be suffering from this type of addiction, get help right away.
A rehab facility can assist with any addiction. If you find that you have a drug, alcohol, or exercise addiction, Serenity House Detox & Recovery can address it with you through behavioral therapy. Therefore, a person should not feel embarrassed to contact a local facility about help with the matter. Our high-quality detox services will place an addicted person in a program that specialists will tailor to his or her needs.
The initial consultation will include a lengthy conversation about lifestyle habits, family ties, and health-related topics. Recovery from addiction is highly possible. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery today at 866.294.5306.to learn more about our life-changing addiction detox programs in Florida.
