When does an interest become an addiction?

[renard_ruse]

...and does it matter anyway?

 

[renard_ruse]

According to a discussion I was listening to today, anything can be an addiction if you think about it when you aren't doing it. Now, I don't necessarily even agree with that definition but the bigger question is whether all addictions are harmful even according to that definition.

If an addiction is not harmful or potentially harmful (such as drugs, booze, promiscuity, gambling, etc), should it even be something to worry about? For example, is posting on the GB a harmful addiction or benign waste of time?

 

[renard_ruse]

Hmm, good example?:

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=825862

 

[shewantsmore]

surely an addiction is never a good thing if it starts to take over your life,

 

[renard_ruse]

surely an addiction is never a good thing if it starts to take over your life,

So, when does an interest become an addiction? Seems like a very grey line.

 

[shewantsmore]

when it takes up all your time and thoughts or your spending more time on it and neglecting other things

 

[blobfish]

When you start doing it in the McDonald's bathroom.

 

[renard_ruse]

When you start doing it in the McDonald's bathroom.

Eating Big Macs and fries in the bathroom?

 

[blobfish]

Eating Big Macs and fries in the bathroom?

Sure...

 

[piccicatopolka]

Tolerance - the need to engage in the addictive behavior more and more to get the desired effect.

Withdrawal happens when the person does not take the substance or engage in the activity, and they experience unpleasant symptoms.

Difficulty cutting down or controlling the addictive behavior.

Just to name a few...

 

[Tryharder62]

I think.

I agree with shewantsmore. It is continuing a behavior or substance despite adverse consequences.

 

[firesflair]

I think it depends on the person and "addiction" in question
for example, I often claim I'm a book addict. And some people would agree. I actually don't know. I do read a large portion of my non-working time, heck the only way I can take a break at work is if I have a book with me. But then again, I'd be staring at the side of a cold food display case without a book. or when traveling (even short distances) I'd be bored out of my mind fidgeting, and stuff. It wouldn't make me interact more with the people I'm with. It also keeps me emotionally stable, because it allows me to get the emotions I wouldn't get otherwise, like love, few if anyone I know shows me they care for or about me. If something upsets me, and I don't have a way of venting it, reading will calm me down enough to straighten out my head, put it behind me (for small things).
Not reading essentially makes it so I'm not doing anything. This causes me to either make up stories in my head, or dwell on past issues I can't get past. These issues bring up anxiety, or exacerbate them, and increase my feelings/symptoms of depression. Not because I'm going through a withdrawal, but because reading is one of my safety/coping mechanisms, as well as something I do too much. Does it harm me? well maybe, if they ever prove without a doubt that reading for +4 hours a day causes bad eye.
But then again, how much time do most people spend sitting in front of a TV? don't care what's on it- TV, Movies, games, etc. most people I know spend as much if not more time facing a TV screen as I do reading and/or playing on my computer.
My addiction is also fairly cheap, compared to shopping addicts, smokers, druggies, or alcoholics. even if I occasionally spend $600 in a year on books, that's less then any other addiction I know, and I'll have those books for as long as I want to reread them. (and I do, one series got reread 5-6 times in like 4-6 months, it had like 4-7 book in it at the time)

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Addictions was part of my grad school training. So! To me addiction is anything that does significant harm to your life.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

When Byron parodies it...




... badly.

 

[run_silent]

I think it depends on the person and "addiction" in question
for example, I often claim I'm a book addict. And some people would agree. I actually don't know. I do read a large portion of my non-working time, heck the only way I can take a break at work is if I have a book with me. But then again, I'd be staring at the side of a cold food display case without a book. or when traveling (even short distances) I'd be bored out of my mind fidgeting, and stuff. It wouldn't make me interact more with the people I'm with. It also keeps me emotionally stable, because it allows me to get the emotions I wouldn't get otherwise, like love, few if anyone I know shows me they care for or about me. If something upsets me, and I don't have a way of venting it, reading will calm me down enough to straighten out my head, put it behind me (for small things).
Not reading essentially makes it so I'm not doing anything. This causes me to either make up stories in my head, or dwell on past issues I can't get past. These issues bring up anxiety, or exacerbate them, and increase my feelings/symptoms of depression. Not because I'm going through a withdrawal, but because reading is one of my safety/coping mechanisms, as well as something I do too much. Does it harm me? well maybe, if they ever prove without a doubt that reading for +4 hours a day causes bad eye.
But then again, how much time do most people spend sitting in front of a TV? don't care what's on it- TV, Movies, games, etc. most people I know spend as much if not more time facing a TV screen as I do reading and/or playing on my computer.
My addiction is also fairly cheap, compared to shopping addicts, smokers, druggies, or alcoholics. even if I occasionally spend $600 in a year on books, that's less then any other addiction I know, and I'll have those books for as long as I want to reread them. (and I do, one series got reread 5-6 times in like 4-6 months, it had like 4-7 book in it at the time)

I would guess you are an addict. You use books to not deal with the real life problems that you have. Also, in your post you spend a lot of time justifying why your habit is not as bad as others.

The most important part is using reading rather dealing with real life.

 

[firesflair]

I would guess you are an addict. You use books to not deal with the real life problems that you have. Also, in your post you spend a lot of time justifying why your habit is not as bad as others.

The most important part is using reading rather dealing with real life.

I justify my habit, because I get more shit in real life for spending my time and money on books, rather then other things. From people who smoke and/or spend all day watching TV. And truthfully, yeah, I do often have to point out that it could be worse. So if I spend too much time defending myself, it's not because I'm guilty or anything, I just have to defend myself so often from family members that explaining and pointing that stuff out is habit.
And I do deal with my problems. I know saying that saying I read so not to dwell on my issues sound bad, but I have anxiety issues. When I dwell I blame myself, I put myself down, I second guess myself. That's bad for me. I'm also used to over explaining myself, which is probably what I did. As most people don't get it when I say my piece. So I say more so they will get it.

 

[Super-Surprise]

 

[blobfish]

When you start posting bizarre porn in every thread.