Addiction is technically the process of getting obsessed with activity.
The activity can be anything from
- usage of drugs,
- consumption of alcohol
- Or other less harmful substances
Addiction alone doesn't mean any problems, where the addiction or cause of dependency is the factor that determines the intensity of the activity. The society has a different approach to addiction, getting seriously committed with activities like games practice, bodybuilding, reading, research doesn't seem like a problem but when the same happens with things that are deemed to be bad like drugs, alcohol, etc. That's when society frowns upon it, and begins to take action or lash back at those activities.
There are various studies related to addiction with drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc. Though the end results might be diverging, factors leading to addiction are same. According to psychologist Martin Benard, addiction is the inner mind finding peace. Here the peace may not be something acceptable by the society. In the eyes of the law, anything that is harmful to self or others, overpowering the self-consciousness, esteem, ability to think and execute decision is treated as an addiction. Treating an addiction is never a choice until it becomes life threatening, but fixing the reason is the best way to eliminate it.
The science of addiction
Addiction is the product of two factors. One is the dependence; another is idleness. Here idleness is a subjective emotion as it has a different meaning in psychology. When a person runs out of activities, they might turn into something that helps them survive the freezing redundancy.
The human body has a property gifted by the nature for survival, its adaptation. When the human system repeatedly uses something, it makes necessary metabolic changes internally to accept its role in metabolism.
Here, say a drug is an external agent that is adapted to the body. But, upon consistent usage, the body demands higher intake to induce the very same feeling that happened in the initial phase. This demanding ability of body has to be confronted by increased usage of drug which finally result in a breakdown of metabolism since each living organism has restraints to hold a matter inside the body.
This is what we see as withdrawal syndromes or drug aftermath, where the body reacts violently so as the mind too. Staying committed and busy in life is one way to keep addiction away. If the mind is fully committed, there is no scope for idleness.
That is often why you see recovering alcoholics and druggies in a more scheduled and consistent environment. This prevents them to returning to their old ways; It gives them a more fuller life, so they do not think of the addiction as often.
Take for example a relationship: You've been in this relationship for ten years, She breaks up with you and abruptly leave. She was your whole life, Your love, your excitement. Is gone! Sitting around doing nothing in life, isn't going to help you forget about her as quickly. But going out with friends, Having a full life, a job, and a busy schedule. Will help!
Don't be afraid to seek help when you are struggling with your addictions. Everyone needs help at times. Even positive things can become an unhealthy addiction.
One addiction I'm struggling with Is Steemit, I think about it all day. I cannot stop. It gets bad. While I love Steemit, and there is nothing wrong with the actual activity of Steemit. Sometimes it can find ways to take over my whole life, To the point, I cannot leave my computer for hours at a time. At some point, I'll need to cut back and focus on other activities.
This is a great example of a great and positive addiction that can have some bad things when abused.
I have a confession to make I'm addicted to oxygen
OMG me too!
I'm addicted Water too!
The mistakes we've made in life :(
LOl
Thanks for sharing this @Kaylinart.. This was very personal for me.
I have a post coming up about my own struggle with addiction. Particularly gambling.
When I lived in NYC I would play bitcoin poker for 18-22 hours a day. It was so bad, I literally thought about ending my life. Fortunately, I was able to get the support I needed and I'm 3+ years gambling free.
For those who struggle with addiction/and or depression -- you are NOT alone! Don't be afraid to get help if needed. Trust me. There are people out there who are about you.
And of course addictions vary by size and subject, but it is important we treat addiction as it is -- a disease.
Anything we can do to raise awareness about addiction will go a super long way to saving thousands/millions of lives down the road.
Hope you're able to find the right balance with your life/health/Steemit soon Kaylin. :)
Aww
Congradulations on dropping your gambling habit You should write about your experiences. Its truly amazing.
Thank you ! I hope to find the right balance too! Its really hard at timees. I loved your comment! Thank you
@kaylinart - I'm about to publish a post talking about luck. The idea was inspired from your How to be as Lucky as I am post, thus I use you as one of the examples in the post. I hope that's cool.. I put a link to your post in there.
Btw, good research on this post!
Yes please! thank you so much! Please let me know when you post! I'd love to read it :)
@kaylinart, published a little while ago. Hope you and others enjoy - https://steemit.com/life/@scaredycatguide/luck-is-when-preparation-meets-opportunity-inspired-by-kaylinart
Thank you I love it!
Im too much addicted to steemit! :)
if you like check my infos about account creations skyrocketing on steemit https://steemit.com/steemit/@dowha/steemit-account-creations-per-day-is-skyrocketing
I am also addicted to steem, obviously we have all been waiting for something this extraordinary to come along? Also, I'm looking forward to achieving one of my greatest "goals" in life......................receiving an up vote from @kaylinart?!?!?!
LOL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I upvoted your Monday post this morning SILLY hehe!!
I know!!
Hehehe Aww :) I thought you didn't notice!! XD
What the!? LOL ! Steemit is amazing.
I loved your post.. addiction is of 2 kinds...good as well as bad...good ones are the ones that doesn't hurt and creates excitement for both sides...I am like that good ones...as you like STEEMIT...I like to feed others and buy peoples needs at times....and that is what I do daily...I have over 25 employees that work under my assistance and I try to take care of their needs...and I enjoy doing that...what you do is an addiction for you in a good way but it is very helpful for many...so we forget the bad habits and concentrate on the good ones.
So true sadly! It takes a lot of hard work.
Of course
Yes :)
Addictions also seem to have a genetic component to them. Certain people are predisposed to being addicted to ceratin things while others are not...
AGREED! I'm one of those people who can get easily addicted to things, While I know others who can't get addicted no matter what.
I didn't think I was... but like you mentioned... I have been thinking of steemit a lot recently... I even had a dream the other night that I made an incredible post that everyone voted on and it crashed the system... ha :)
Sadly just a dream :(
OMG! That is awesome but who knows maybe thats your future! Just keep writing ;) Im sure you can get there.
Such an encourager :)
This article is very nice to read, because it inspires.
good job @kaylinart
Thank you :)
To compensate for my steemit addiction, I have a treadmill in my computer room. I have a wifi keyboard and mouse platform on the treadmill and have mounted the monitor at walking eye level. As long as I keep the pace under 2 MPH, I feel like I get a slow workout while feeding the monkey on my back.
LOVE I'm so jealous ! After reading a book about the harmful affects of sitting, I've been trying to sit less. I want one of those treadmill desks, But I just don't have the space for it. I'm hoping in the future I can make it happen.
This is just a treadmill with a cut piece of plywood over the controls. I put this together back in 1998. It's not pretty but it does the job. :-)
Wow nice!! Who care about pretty? as long as it's useful.
Ha, interesting analogy and nice post! :)
Thank you hehe
hehe lovely post wonder about cravings?... ;-) wink wink(next post maybe)?
GOOD one! :)
Is there a doctor that can cure steemit addiction?
I think we may be doomed LOL
painting and steemit are my current addictions for sure, upvoted! I really enjoy how you expose the topics and your ideas in each post
I agree with you, Except I Like to draw rather than paint.
I just started following you btw. You have some good stuff! :)
Thank you so much :)
I used to have a gambling problem. I've managed to control it, and only play some occasional Fantasy Sports nowadays. But Steemit, oh addictive Steemit. Every time I have a few minutes free, I find myself logging in, checking my feed, looking for posts to upvote, and checking my voting power. Steemit has become my new obsession and I may need an intervention soon. But not too soon, I'm having fun right now
Interesting. Mindfulness and mediation have been shown to be useful in helping to treat addiction. This seems the opposite of "keeping busy". Any thoughts on that?
I always enjoy your writing.
I really agree! I practice mindfulness all the time. Meditation is not something I have a ton of experience at, But I do feel it helps. I do adult coloring books, Because its hard for me to sit still for long periods of time! It is the opposite of keeping busy but in a way it does engulf your brain the same way business does.
Steemit, Girls and Rick'n'Morty!
Hahah What!! I haven't seen enough episodes of Rick n Morty yet!
Great post, and I'm glad that you added that not all addictions can play a negative role in a person's life.
A few comments down, someone mentioned that some people may be genetically pre-disposed to addiction. While there may be studies that demonstrate these trends, my personal opinion is that addiction, or even obsession is a circumstantial learned pattern of behaviour.
I am an addict. While my addictions have included subscribed medicine dependence, leading to abuse and inevitably addiction, thrown in with similar patterns with recreational substances. I often consider seeking counselling or reaching out to those around me, but my programmed behaviour is to keep things inside and to push them back.
However, I do have other addictions that one may consider positive or negative, but I personally consider to be positive.]
I'm a family man, have a dog, mortgage, responsibilities, and a relatively senior job at a large corporation.
I cannot leave my family. I have no reason to. I love them so much.
My dog is insane, jumps on the couch and is too clever, but why would I want to give up that furry bundle of fun?
I have a house, or rather - the bank owns my house, but I'm paying them back.
And I want to succeed, make a name for myself at my current company. I check my work mobile regularly, including holidays and weekends. If I miss an opportunity to bring further success to my employer, that's a high that I've missed.
I recently watched a TEDTalk about addiction, and I think it rings true in many cases. But those cases are often driven by circumstance, experience and environment. Here's the video:
Apologies - still new to steemit and haven't learned about Styling yet!