Trading Demons: How Cross Addiction Creeps into Recovery

Last Updated:

June 17th, 2025

For a person hoping to escape the invisible forces of addiction, dealing with just one substance can be a lifelong battle. Sadly, for many, breaking free from one addiction can lay a dark path for a new dependency to form, known as a “cross addiction.”

We examine the propensity for substituting one addiction for another, the most common substances in cross addiction, and how you can stop them from forming.

What is “cross addiction,” and what makes it so dangerous?

Having an alcohol or drug addiction means being unable to stop or reduce using the substance despite the risk of danger, harm or negative consequences. Of course, most people in the world do not try a substance for the first time and set out to form an addiction. However, a relatively innocuous first few experiences can quickly lead to a dangerous spiral without the person realising.

Cross addiction is a term used in recovery, describing when a person replaces one addictive behaviour with another. As an example, if a person stops using alcohol, then may become more likely to start gambling, overeating or misusing prescription medications instead. A person may also develop a cross addiction when they have two or more addictions at the same time.

A new habit can appear relatively harmless, but the underlying dependency from the previous addiction remains. There is an underlying vulnerability for a person who has already developed one deep addiction. Whether they’ve broken away from the first or started to form a co-occurring addiction, a cross-addiction can be an extremely destructive and detrimental force on a person’s well-being, potentially fatal if left unchecked.

Why is cross-addiction often overlooked?

Cross addiction can be commonly overlooked by many because the new behaviour may seem to be less harmful than the old. A person may start smoking more cigarettes as they work their way out of an addiction to a more heavily intoxicating substance, telling themselves that “smoking is a lot better because it won’t give me a hangover tomorrow.”

However, replacing one addiction with another often serves the same insatiable function, worsening over time as a false sense of escape. Without intervention, cross addiction can easily chip away at a person’s recovery plans and increase the risk of relapse.

When is cross addiction most likely to form?

For many people in the long and winding process of recovery, developing a cross addiction can happen at any point. However, it may be more likely to happen when a person first leaves rehab. The early recovery period following rehab demands vigilance and self-monitoring at a level which may be new for people.

In the early recovery period, coping mechanisms may have been carefully designed and chosen, but not yet put into practice. Much like a muscle used for exercise, it can be dangerous to expect too much from it if it hasn’t been fully developed yet. In addition, it may be more likely for people to develop a cross addiction if therapy hasn’t yet addressed underlying and unexplored trauma or mental health conditions.

There may also be suggestions that cross addictions can be a significant problem long after the rehab process has finished. After treatment ends, the protective structure of rehab falls away, so a person may turn to a new addiction that feels less risky but still feeds the underlying craving for relief or comfort.

What are some of the most common cross addictions?

The constellation of substances and behaviours people can become addicted to is inexhaustible. Developing a cross addiction may not involve the same type of substances or behaviours; rather, it involves the new habit providing emotional or psychological comfort.

The substitute can become just as dangerous as the original drug or alcohol addiction, if not more so. Some of the most prevalent transfers or cross addictions found during recovery can include:

Opioids to alcohol or sedatives

Many people recovering from opioid addiction find themselves drawn to substances with similar effects, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines. These depressants work on overlapping brain systems, producing sedation, pain relief and euphoria. The shift may feel like a harmless form of self-soothing at first, but this mix is one of the most medically dangerous. Combining these substances significantly raises the risk of overdose, respiratory depression and death.

Stimulants to nicotine or caffeine

After quitting drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine, some people begin heavily using caffeine or tobacco. While these substances may be “less socially taboo,” they still act on the brain’s reward and alertness systems. Smoking more or downing energy drinks may feel like a manageable way to stay sharp, but it’s still a form of dependence that can damage health and reinforce addictive thinking.

Alcohol to prescription drugs

Those coming off alcohol may turn to prescription medications, particularly painkillers or anxiety tablets, to manage emotional discomfort or restlessness. Because these substances are medically sanctioned, the risk can be overlooked. But they often mimic the calming effects of alcohol and can be just as addictive. Over time, the line between legitimate use and psychological reliance can blur.

Sexual behaviour and pornography

In the absence of substances, some individuals begin to chase a high through compulsive sexual activity or excessive pornography use. These behaviours may offer temporary escape or gratification, but they can quickly spiral into isolation, shame, or even relationship breakdowns. The emotional triggers behind them (loneliness, anxiety, unresolved trauma) remain unaddressed.

Work, food or exercise

Not all cross addictions involve drugs or alcohol. Sometimes, people shift their energy into highly structured or socially praised behaviours, like working long hours, obsessively tracking calories, or exercising compulsively. While these habits may be healthier than substance use, they can become imbalanced when used to avoid difficult feelings or to regain a false sense of control.

How therapy helps stop addiction transfer

If you notice the signs of a new addiction creeping in, whether in yourself or someone close to you, it’s important to act early. The sooner it’s addressed, the easier it is to stop the cycle before it deepens.

Professional rehab and therapy can provide the structure and support needed to regain control. This includes:

Addressing both the original and new addiction together
Uncovering emotional triggers that drive the urge to substitute
Providing tailored therapies like CBT and group counselling
Teaching practical tools to manage cravings and prevent relapse

For many people, knowing that you’re in a safe and non-judgemental setting can be the catalyst they need to open up about painful feelings.

I need help stopping one addiction from transferring into another

If you’re in recovery but noticing new compulsive behaviours creeping in, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

At UKAT, we understand the drivers of cross addiction and how it can undermine even the strongest recovery efforts. That’s why our treatment programmes focus on more than just the surface-level symptoms. We address the root causes, teach real-world coping strategies and offer the support needed to break free from the confines of addiction.

Whether you’re concerned about your own recovery or someone else’s, we’re here to help you move forward without slipping sideways.

Reach out today. True recovery means healing the whole pattern, not just one part of it.