According to Psychology Today, "Addiction is a condition in which a person engages in the use of a substance or in a behavior for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly pursue the behavior despite detrimental consequences." When you hear this, thoughts of drugs and gambling might fill your mind. That's not always the case, as evidenced by these people's stories.
Reddit user, u/redrockz98, wanted to hear about what addiction is plaguing your life that doesn't involve drugs when they asked:
What are you addicted to?
Loneliness Makes The Heart Okay
For me solitude. I can't wait to get off work, go home, lock the door and see no one. The twenty beers is part of it I guess.
Gotta Get That Caffeine Rush
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If we're talking physical addiction then coffee, definitely coffee. I can go without alcohol or weed or video games or reddit for a few days and it's not a big deal, but even if I sleep in and don't need the coffee to wake up, I still will feel like sh-t if I don't have some.
The Hotta' The Betta'
Hot showers.
There is no greater pleasure. I don't CARE if hot showers age my skin. Melt that shit right off.
It's A Never-Ending Cycle
Chapstick - I carry one with me always, and have never been without one on me since I was a kid. If I don't use it, my lips feel dry as a desert, but using it daily actually makes your lips more chapped. It's a vicious cycle.
The Candy Man Can
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Sugary foods. F-ck, I never grew up.
I got hit with Type 2 diabetes for my sugar addiction. Im in good range now since I cut carbs to 20 per meal. However, my my feet hurt and buzz around the clock since I let it go uncontrolled so long. Neuropathy sucks. Dont be like me. Go to the dock and get your A1C checked. Pre diabetes to diabetes doesnt take long to develop. Might be a wake up call that helps you make the decision.
The Father Of Them All
Cigarettes... I really wish it wasn't cigarettes.
I'm not trying to be a buzz kill but I quit 20 years ago and I still think about having a smoke.....almost every day.
[usernameredacted]
Break The Cycle
I'm a sex addict.
I've spent almost $11,000 on hookers in the past 9 months since I started. I was a virgin before.
When It's The Nothing Of It All
Nothing. Not that I have no addictions, but god, I cannot stop doing nothing. I race home after work to sit in my apartment. I have plenty I could do. I'm a musician, I do graphic design, I love video games, but more often than not, I'm just sitting here in my apartment by myself bouncing between Reddit and Imgur chasing a dopamine hit so that I don't feel so empty. I'm fine though. Really.
It's What It's All About, Isn't It?
Short term pleasure.
Edit: Lots of messages are "I didn't know how to describe this, this is me." We're biologically wired this way - to seek out short term boosts like fats and sweets from a time when we didnt have domesticated civilizations. There is nothing wrong with you. That's why JP's rule 7 is seek out whats meaningful, not expedient. Denying short-term satisfaction is what introduces you to discipline. Doesn't make it any less easy.
IMHO everyone is an addict for something. It may not have the repercussions of heroin or gambling addiction, but everyone seeks out SOMETHING.
