Addiction Recovery

Overview of Addiction as a Biopsychosocial Disorder

Addiction is recognized as a chronic, relapsing disorder involving dysregulation of brain reward, motivation, learning, and executive control circuits. Both chemical addictions (substance use disorders) and behavioral/process addictions share common neurobiological mechanisms, including dopaminergic reward pathway sensitization, impaired inhibitory control, and altered stress response systems.

Addiction is best understood within a biopsychosocial framework, integrating neurobiology, psychological functioning, interpersonal systems, and environmental factors. This framework underlies modern integrated treatment models recommended by national and international health organizations.

Chemical Addiction (Substance Use Disorders)

Chemical addiction refers to maladaptive patterns of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as defined in the DSM-5-TR criteria for Substance Use Disorders. Substances commonly implicated include alcohol, opioids, stimulants, sedatives/hypnotics, cannabis, and other psychoactive agents.

Repeated substance exposure leads to neuroadaptive changes in the mesolimbic dopamine system, prefrontal cortex, and stress-related neural circuits, contributing to tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, craving, compulsive use, and relapse vulnerability.

Clinical implications include:

  • Increased risk for mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders

  • Cognitive impairments in decision-making and impulse control

  • Medical comorbidities (cardiovascular, hepatic, metabolic, infectious)

  • Significant relational and occupational dysfunction

Behavioral and Processing Addictions

Behavioral addictions (also called process addictions) involve compulsive engagement in behaviors despite negative consequences and share neurobiological and psychological features with substance addictions. Gambling Disorder is formally recognized in the DSM-5-TR, while other behavioral addictions (e.g., compulsive sexual behavior, internet/gaming, shopping, food-related addictive behaviors) are increasingly studied in clinical research.

Common behavioral/process addictions include:

  • Gambling

  • Compulsive sexual behavior

  • Internet and gaming addiction

  • Shopping/spending addiction

  • Work addiction

  • Disordered eating and food addiction-like patterns

These behaviors activate reward circuitry similarly to substances, reinforcing compulsive cycles through dopamine-mediated learning and habit formation.

Clinical correlates include:

  • High comorbidity with trauma, attachment disruption, OCD-spectrum conditions, and mood disorders

  • Emotion regulation deficits and maladaptive coping strategies

  • Interpersonal and occupational impairment similar to chemical addiction

Integrative Recovery Support at Turn Leaf Wellness

Turn Leaf Wellness provides a 360° holistic model of care that integrates:

  • Medical Nutrition Therapy for addiction recovery

  • Mental health counseling for emotional resilience

  • Bodywork and wellness therapies to restore physical balance

This integrative care helps clients reconnect with their bodies, improve self-awareness, and create lasting change from the inside out. Integrated care models combining psychotherapy, bodywork treatments, and dietetics align with whole-person, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented care frameworks. Multidisciplinary collaboration has been associated with:

  • Improved treatment engagement and retention

  • Enhanced psychosocial and relational functioning

  • Reduced relapse risk through biological and psychological stabilization

  • Personalized, adaptive care planning

  • Better long-term recovery outcomes

Integrated models reflect best practices recommended by SAMHSA, WHO, and NIH, emphasizing coordinated, person-centered care.

Start Your Healing Journey

If you or a loved one are navigating recovery, compassionate nutritional support can make all the difference.
Turn Leaf Wellness offers evidence-based, integrative care that helps clients rebuild health, reduce relapse risk, and restore vitality through mindful, personalized nutrition. We can help!