It’s a fact that everyone has at least one addiction though we don’t always notice the difference between habits and addiction unless those are alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling or masturbation. These are uncontrollable impulses in people which cannot be hidden due to it’s after-effect on the individual and society.
Image: Addiction starts from the mind.
All these can give satisfaction and pleasure in different ways but a continued engagement in the act to the point that it disrupts one’s ordinary life responsibilities, work, relationships and health becomes dangerous.
It is possible, in most situations that the addicts don’t notice that their behavior is getting out of control or that they are causing problems to themselves and others. In this way, it is hard to pinpoint what exactly is addiction and what is not.
This is a list of common things we can be addicted to: ( Body building; Chewing gum; Cleaning; Exercise; Food; Gossip; Hoarding; Love, Lying; Online / video games; Lip balm; Masturbation; Internet; Money; Plastic surgery; Tattoos; Shoplifting; Sleep; Smart phones; Stealing; and Social media).
Religion can also be an addiction though you can rightly argue that we can never worship God enough. People have killed and are still killing in the name of religion while believing that shedding blood, according to those doctrines, is a way of defending their faith.
There are countless reasons why people are entangled with addictions.
- There’s an indescribable happiness that comes with doing what gives you “killer pleasure” like drugs and alcohol. This happiness can be a life-saver to the addicts in some terrible life situations. There’s no doubt that on the other hand, the same addiction could pose dangerous health problems if caution is not applied. Legendary music icons – Michael Jackson and Prince – whose lives were lost to drugs will forever remain in our memories.
- Most people seek applause or praise from friends, family and even strangers at all cost. When someone wants to be noticed for being good-looking, rich or “updated”, nothing seem strong enough to convince them that people could be famous for better reasons. Most drug dealers, prostitutes and criminals engage in those activities to make ends meet – or in some cases – to live a life of affluence. The belief is that, “the end justifies the means”.
- People continue with addictions because they cannot face the pains of “withdrawal” from the pleasure. Having to deal with “a come down” is a very difficult program that demands assistance, support or medical care. “Where these are lacking, people would rather continue with the habits than lose their heads trying to keep it”.
“We live in a society where the economy , for majority of the citizens, is constantly on a down slide”. Poverty, inflation, unemployment, divorce and the pressures of life has led many into finding comfort in addictions.
Sadly, some habits may come from biological formation, family background, environment or peer pressure.
“Addiction is not a disease. It is not a mental problem and has nothing to do with being good or bad”.
Whatever way people chose to look at it, or no matter how difficult people have had to struggle with the pleasure exploits, the good news is that addiction is not an incurable behavior.
