Transfer Addiction: What It Is and How to Break the Cycle

Replacing one addiction with another is a risk that individuals in recovery face on the path to long-term healing. Often referred to as transfer addiction, cross addiction, and substitute addiction, these concepts describe the real possibility that a new addictive disorder develops while recovering from another one.

However, there’s too much disinformation online about addiction switching. Here, we will define these concepts and explain, based on science, why some people transition from one addiction to another. 

We will dispel myths, identify red flags to prevent you (or someone you love) from addiction replacement, while teaching how to modify harmful behaviors with healthy habits for long-lasting wellness.

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What Are Transfer Addiction and Cross Addiction?

Addiction develops due to a mix of internal predispositions (like trauma) and external factors (such as where someone grows up). As it progresses, addiction can change a person’s brain, affecting their capacity to make decisions and behave in beneficial ways.

When a person enters recovery, it’s not uncommon that the same predispositions that led to an addiction can augment the risk of developing another one.

Addiction Transfer Definition

Transfer addiction is a prevalent concept supported by anecdotal evidence (not definitive clinical studies) suggesting that some individuals may substitute a new addiction while recovering from another one.

For example:

• A person in recovery from alcohol abuse starts smoking and becomes addicted to nicotine.
• An individual in rehab for fentanyl replaces opioids with marijuana.

The idea almost implies that, like catching a cold, a person can contract a new addiction. This is not supported by evidence.

While developing a new addiction is possible, the substitution process is not caused by a transference. It’s better explained by the same underlying factors that predisposed an individual to develop an addiction in the first place. 

Addiction transfer is not an official concept used by medical organizations in the United States.

Cross Addiction 

Cross addiction is another popular, yet flawed, concept. It’s understood as developing multiple addictions, often simultaneously or in parallel, or swapping one for another. In some circles, cross addiction and addiction transference are used interchangeably.

Clinicians describe having multiple addictions as polysubstance use or co-occurring disorders. Dual diagnoses are another diagnostic criterion in which a person battles an addiction and a mental health condition:

• A woman is addicted to nicotine and alcohol (polysubstance use)
• A man has depression and abuses cocaine (a dual diagnosis)

Cross addiction is a lay term, not an official classification.

Why Do Addictions Transfer? (The Psychology and Brain Science)

Evidence suggests that while the origins of addiction are unique to each individual, the effects of alcohol and drug abuse cause similar neurological changes.

These alterations are associated with regions of the brain responsible for self-control, pleasure, habitual behaviors and emotional regulation, which may explain why addiction substitution affects some individuals.

For instance, the brain’s reward system utilizes dopamine (a neurotransmitter) to regulate certain behaviors and pleasant experiences. Substances can affect how this mechanism works, so when a person stops a substance, cravings could be so intense that they may lead to relying on another substance to alleviate this state. 

Chronic stress and unresolved trauma are core drivers of addiction development. When a person quits drinking, if the underlying reasons for alcohol abuse are not addressed as part of a comprehensive recovery program, these lingering root causes may predispose them to relapse or develop a new addiction.

Repetitive behaviors change the brain. After continuous substance abuse a person may learn (habits are wired into their brain) that when they experience negative emotions, for example, they rely on substances. So, after quitting opioids they may substitute fentanyl with weed in these habitual situations.

A better explanation for addiction transference

Addiction transference is better explained by the common risk factors that can predispose a person to developing substance use disorders, such as mental health issues, socioeconomic conditions and biological and genetic inheritance. 

Studies have found that lack of social support, overwhelm with the emotions that may emerge in early recovery, insecure living conditions, and unstable job status increase the likelihood of switching addictions even without realizing it. 

Common Types of Replacement Addictions

Here are some common addiction replacement behaviors.

• Alcohol: 28 million Americans are addicted to alcohol. Its legality and acceptance in diverse social settings make it a major risk in switching one substance for another.
• Cannabis: From 2021 to 2024, the number of Americans addicted to weed increased from 16.7 to 20.6 million. The prevalent myth of marijuana as a harmless substance when in reality it can be addictive and cause physical and psychological harm contributes to its rise as an alternative addiction.
• Cigarettes: 37.8 million individuals in the United States smoke cigarettes. Its legal status makes it a common substance used as a substitute.
• Stimulants: 4.3 million Americans are addicted to stimulants. Their relatively low cost and devastating consequences make them a dangerous substitute alternative.
• Food and binge eating: Eating disorders are mental health conditions characterized by loss of control that can develop due to some of the same risk factors that contribute to substance addictions.
• Exercise: While exercise has positive medical benefits, its compulsive use as a copìng mechanism can turn unhealthy when it becomes excessive, displacing social activities or even interfering with treatment.
• Sex and love addiction: Love and sex are healthy components of adult life, however, individuals in recovery may overindulge or rely excessively on them as crutches to deal with the ups and downs of recovery.
• Gambling: 2.5 million U.S. adults struggle with severe gambling disorders. Without adequate support, individuals in recovery may have free time on their hands as they abandon old habits and experiment with activities like gambling, putting themselves at risk of developing a new addiction.

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Other behaviors people may rely on compulsively when dealing with addiction include:

• Workaholism
• Hobbies
• Gaming
• Pornography
• Caffeine consumption
• Religious and holistic activities

Substituting an addiction for another behavior doesn’t mean a person is addicted to it. 

Substitute addictions occur when a person’s use of a substance (or gambling, the only behavioral addiction recognized by the DSM-5) results in loss of control over it, unwanted consequences, and intense preoccupations and withdrawal symptoms. 

Bariatric Transfer Addiction: A Special Case

Bariatric surgeries are effective weight loss medical procedures. There are different techniques, but in essence, the anatomy of the small intestines and stomach is modified, resulting in shifts in satiety, appetite and how calories are burned.

Bariatric surgeries may help prevent some negative health consequences of obesity, with a 40% reduction in all-cause mortality. Yet, the procedure can have side effects.

Some patients after surgery replace binge eating with painkillers, alcohol, or gambling, which can develop into addictions. Or they engage in behaviors, like excessive shopping or exercise, that can turn into compulsions that may affect daily life.

Studies have found that symptom prevalence of alcohol use disorders doubled in individuals over seven years following bariatric surgery. Why does this happen?

There are many reasons for overeating. Stress, lack of social support and untreated mental health conditions are shared risk factors for substance abuse, so a person who compulsively eats may also be vulnerable to engaging in other behaviors that can potentially result in addictions.

Food can be used as a coping mechanism to deal with unwanted emotions. When bariatric surgeries alter appetite, some individuals may substitute compulsive eating as a calming device with another substance or harmful behavior.

Also, after bariatric surgery, food may be less rewarding to the brain, so it’s believed some individuals could try to compensate by seeking other substances or behaviors that provide pleasure.

It’s good to keep in mind that addictions develop gradually. So, despite what the concept of addiction transfer suggests, an immediate substitution does not occur.

If a person becomes an alcoholic after bariatric surgery, it’s the result of a continuous pattern of excessive drinking that interferes with responsibilities, causes harm, and is characterized by loss of control. 

If you’re struggling with substance abuse or other compulsive behaviors after bariatric surgery, call the number below and someone can help you find targeted support.

You’re not alone. Call today for help.

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How to Replace Bad Habits with Good Ones

Developing new habits is fundamental for a person’s healing. Effective addiction treatment interventions identify what a person does daily to replace the behaviors, activities and places that may promote substance abuse.

Here are some healthy replacement ideas you can implement today.

• Structured exercise: An exercise regimen targeted to your fitness level and with adequate rest (not compulsive) can do wonders for replacing bad habits.
• Creative outlets: Journaling, music and other forms of art offer the opportunity to connect with your creativity and promote self-discovery.
• Volunteering or helping others in recovery: The rewards of contributing to another person’s well-being can aid in coping with personal challenges and bad habits.
• Support groups or therapy: Belonging to a community committed to healing and addressing mental health challenges can help unveil the underlying reasons for substance abuse.
• Mindfulness or spiritual practices: Connecting to a higher power or developing your spiritual wellbeing can also assist in breaking harmful habits.

For many, abusing drugs and alcohol is what they do to occupy their time or cope with negative emotions. So, replacing bad habits with good ones can not only help in treating addictive behaviors but also offer a path to wellness. Because, while abstinence is a wholesome goal, you don’t just remove addiction, you replace it with meaning.

How to Stop an Addiction (or Prevent a New One from Forming)

Fortunately there are steps you can take to prevent negative habits from forming that can lead to substance abuse and addiction.

Here are evidence-based ways to stop addictions:

• Identify triggers and patterns: Addictions can be associated with places, emotions, activities and even people who trigger them. Identifying them is crucial for breaking destructive patterns and building new healthy ones.
• Replace the ritual, not just the substance: Addictions can be tied to habitual behaviors. So, while abstinence is important, finding other activities to occupy your time is critical to prevent relapse. 
• Join a recovery program: Structured programs tackle addiction’s underlying causes, while caring for mental health conditions that can predispose a person to form new addictions. These programs offer the best chance to recover safely, develop life skills and prevent relapse.
• Medication-assisted treatment: Alcohol and opioids may generate physical and psychological dependence that manifests in withdrawal symptoms and cravings. MAT is an FDA-validated treatment modality that can help lessen these effects.
• Build a relapse-prevention plan: Enrolling in formal treatment protocols that design personalized aftercare plans offers support and strategies to dissuade new, unhealthy habits from forming.

Stopping an addiction or preventing a new one from forming requires identifying the root causes behind them. Fortunately, you don’t have to do this alone.

Call now for help with your addiction.

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How to Recognize and Break the Cycle of Addiction Replacement

Identifying the red flags that a new obsession is becoming a problem can help prevent addiction swapping.

Here are signs that may help you recognize addictive behavior before it fully manifests.

• Obsessive focus on new activity: You feel intense preoccupation with engaging in the new behavior.
• Neglecting life responsibilities again: This new obsession is displacing time and energy from what’s important in your life.
• Withdrawal symptoms when stopped: You feel physical or psychological symptoms when you are not consuming the substance.
• Using it to deal with unwanted emotions: You engage in the behavior when you feel sad, bored or want to cope with stress.
• It’s affecting your well-being: Your relationships and physical and mental health are being disrupted by this behavior.
• You are neglecting recovery: The behavior is distracting you from attending support meetings, therapy or other interventions.

Addiction replacement is a gradual process that you can break. Journaling, therapy, or trusted feedback are resources you can trust to gain clarity. By being mindful of your behaviors, thoughts and emotions, you can act and change course to a healthier destination.

Addiction recovery is about freedom, not new chains. Call today for help.

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FAQ: Transfer Addiction & How to Stop Replacing Addictions

Final Thoughts: Healing Doesn’t Mean Replacing, It Means Rebuilding

Addiction transference is not the fate of individuals battling substance use disorders. 

Long-lasting recovery is the reality for millions of individuals who enrolled in treatment programs that addressed underlying addictive behaviors to prevent the possibility of just switching vices.

If you’re struggling with disordered drinking or drug abuse, you’re not alone. While recovery may take time and effort, getting sober is entirely possible and may be the best decision you ever make.

Don’t wait to detox. Call today.

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