WHAT WE TREAT
At Paracelsus Recovery, we adopt a pragmatic approach to behavioural addiction treatment. Our bespoke treatment programmes provide you with the options and tools to find moderation, boundaries and peace on all levels: biological, psychological and physical.
Behavioural addictions, also known as process addictions, are a set of behaviours that a person becomes dependent on and craves. They are a ‘process’ addiction because it is a set of actions or a process that people become addicted to, rather than a substance.
The rush that the addictive behaviour provides to the brain acts in much the same way as substance-related addiction. When we engage in an activity that keeps us alive or helps us pass on our genes, our reward system sends out a chemical messenger called dopamine which gives us a hit of satisfaction to encourage us to repeat that action. These dopamine hits can become addictive given the right environmental, psychological and biological factors. Therefore, any activity that releases a rush of dopamine, such as winning big in a casino, taking risks or getting likes on our social media accounts, can also become addictive.
Depending on the specific addiction, behavioural addictions can cause various issues that impact all areas of life, from finances and career to relationships and family. In all cases, process addiction will introduce a great deal of stress, fear and pain into the individual’s life, resulting in the worsening of their physical and psychological health.
The symptoms, as well as the underlying issues, potential harm and problems, resulting from behavioural addictions are often very similar to those of substance-related addictions. Symptoms of behavioural addiction include:
- Spending an excessive amount of time engaging in the behaviour to the detriment of your relationships or career.
- Becoming dependent on the activity as a way to cope with emotions and “feel normal”.
- Struggling to stop the behaviour despite attempts to quit.
- Minimising, lying and hiding the problem from loved ones.
- Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal (i.e. depression, trouble sleeping, irritability, personality changes) when trying to stop.
- A loss of control over how frequently you engage in the behaviour and how much risk you take.
- Engaging in the activity even though you obtain no pleasure from it and the development of specific triggers.
If these signs sound familiar, we can help guide you toward recovery.
understanding your dependencies
Types of behavioural addictions we treat
We understand unequivocally that pain is universal, but recovery has to be personal.
When we struggle with gambling addiction, it can often feel as though we are completely disconnected from our actions and as though we have little control over our actions and decisions. The shame, guilt and fear can often be immense. But it doesn’t have to stay this way.
Cryptocurrency addiction can quietly affect many aspects of your life, often going beyond the excitement of trading or keeping up with market trends. Over time, it can lead to mental and emotional strain, including stress, anxiety, and a fear or shame over our actions. At Paracelsus Recovery, we take a compassionate approach to help you navigate these challenges, supporting you in finding a healthier, more balanced way to engage with cryptocurrency and life.
Sex and love addiction can often feel like an overwhelming need to seek validation or connection, but it can leave you feeling more isolated and disconnected in the long run. This cycle can impact your emotional health, create unbalanced relationships, and prevent you from finding true, lasting intimacy. At Paracelsus Recovery, we offer a supportive and non-judgmental space where we help you explore the underlying causes of these patterns. .
Social media addiction can start innocently but quickly escalate, consuming your time, energy, and attention. It often leaves you feeling disconnected from real-world relationships, trapped in a cycle of comparison, and seeking validation through likes and comments. At Paracelsus Recovery, we help you step back and reflect on how social media may be affecting your mental and emotional health. Through personalised support and tailored strategies, we empower you to regain control, restore balance, and reconnect with a more authentic and fulfilling life.
It can be terrifying to feel like we are putting ourselves in danger and yet cannot seem to stop ourselves. Whether it’s impulsive decisions, seeking constant excitement, or disregarding personal safety, risk-taking behaviours can strain relationships, create a sense of instability and even threaten our own lives. With support and guidance, we help you regain control over your behaviour and build healthier coping strategies.
What may begin as a hobby can slowly take over, impacting your daily life, relationships, and emotional well-being. The constant need to escape or achieve can lead to feelings of isolation, stress, and neglect of important responsibilities. At Paracelsus Recovery, we take a compassionate, personalised approach to help you understand the deeper reasons behind your gaming habits.
Pornography addiction can quietly take hold, often starting as a way to cope with stress or seek pleasure, but over time, it can affect your emotional well-being and relationships. The cycle can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and disconnection from your true desires and connections with others. At Paracelsus Recovery, we offer a compassionate, tailored approach to help you understand the root causes of your relationship with pornography.
Exercise is often seen as a positive way to take care of your body, but it can lead to physical exhaustion, injury, and emotional distress when it becomes an obsession. What may start as a healthy routine can turn into a way to cope with anxiety or a need for control, leaving you feeling disconnected from your body’s true needs. With expert support, we can guide you towards finding a balanced, sustainable approach that nurtures both your body and mind.
Work can be a source of purpose and fulfilment, but when it becomes all-consuming, it can take a toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health. The pressure to perform, long hours, and the constant need to achieve can lead to burnout, stress, and strained relationships. At Paracelsus Recovery, we understand the complexities of work-related stress and help you uncover the deeper reasons behind your unhealthy relationship with work.
Shopping can offer a momentary sense of relief or excitement, but when it becomes a way to cope with stress, loneliness, or deeper emotional needs, it can lead to financial strain and emotional emptiness. With personalised therapy and support, we can help you break the cycle, regain control, and develop healthier ways to meet your needs.
Our codependency treatment programmes take a holistic approach, focusing on your unique needs without following a specific treatment model. Our main goal is to help you reconnect with yourself so you no longer feel the need to rely on others for your sense of worth or well-being.
At Paracelsus Recovery, we provide expert treatment for a wide range of behavioural addictions. If you don’t see your specific struggle listed, don’t worry; we likely treat it. Our team of specialists is experienced in addressing even the most complex behavioural dependencies, creating tailored treatment plans to help you regain control. Please reach out; we’re here to support you.
bespoke treatment
How we treat behavioural addictions
We can’t tell you exactly what your four-week stay will involve because each person’s journey with behavioural addictions is unique. Therefore, we curate a bespoke behavioural addiction treatment plan for everyone who comes to stay at Paracelsus Recovery; there is no pre-defined treatment path. Similarly, we do not adopt a specific treatment model. Instead, we advocate for a completely pragmatic approach to addiction; whatever works best for you to achieve your goals.
Each of your days with us is thoughtfully structured to include handpicked therapeutic elements designed to help you overcome your behavioural addiction. From withdrawal to intensive therapy, every step is tailored to you. These therapies complement each other, working together to help you regain control, restore your health, and rebuild your life step by step. See below for more details.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
We do not adopt a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Instead, we adapt each programme to each client’s unique set of needs. While our approach prioritises cutting-edge modalities and holistic care, those unique needs ultimately guide our work together.
At Paracelsus Recovery, our 360-degree treatment approach is designed to help you address, process and overcome the root causes of your dependency. By carrying out rigorous testing, we are able to identify all underlying issues and pave a path towards overcoming them. We design an individualised treatment plan featuring a unique blend of cutting-edge therapies to rebalance your psychological, cellular and biological health. For behavioural addictions, these typically include biofeedback, bioresonance, nutritional therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), sleep therapies, and art therapy.
In every case, our treatment extends far beyond simply addressing the root causes of your behavioural addiction. In parallel to treating any underlying factors that have contributed to your addiction, we focus on any effects, such as neurological to physical damage, that can result from dependencies. Such treatments typically involve intensive psychotherapy, biochemical restoration, and complementary therapies, all of which share the aim of reducing stress and supporting long-term recovery.
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
A team of more than 15 experts made up of world-renowned doctors, therapists and specialists will provide unparalleled care throughout your stay. The around-the-clock treatment they provide includes supervision of your medically safe withdrawal from drug(s) if deemed necessary. A live-in therapist will be a crucial member of your team who is there to provide you with emotional support 24/7. No matter the unique blend of treatments you receive, they will be delivered with the Swiss medical excellence we are known for.
Comprehensive programmes as unique as you are
We tailor our comprehensive and intensive behavioural addiction treatment programmes to meet your needs. What all of our programmes have in common is that they are steeped in our core values of pragmatism and empathy.
We can provide treatment for behavioural addiction and any co-occurring dependencies and mental health conditions at our private treatment centre in Zurich.
FURTHER READING