Is this Addiction?

Horvath defines addiction as “repeated involvement with anything, despite excessive costs, because of craving.” We already know that drugs and alcohol can be addictive, but mind-altering substances aren't the only ways to get high. As earlier written, normal day to day activities that are being carried out can become things that have to be treated as addictions. Behaviors such as gambling, shopping, eating, playing video games, or sex can be intensely rewarding, creating a powerful incentive, or compulsion to engage in them. 

What is Behavioral Addiction? Behavioral addiction refers to several mental health conditions in which a person engages in a particular behavior repeatedly; even if the behavior causes them harm—it may seem as if they simply cannot resist engaging in the behavior. One unfortunate reality of addiction is that it often comes with a heavy dose of denial. No one wants to admit that his or her life is controlled by a compulsive behavior. This issue is complicated by the fact that many potentially addictive behaviors are unavoidable. Everyone has to buy things, so a compulsive shopper can easily write her behavior off as just a bit of excessive spending.

Apart from drugs and alcohol, let us look at few other things people can get addicted to. In the course of my research, I was able to find out so many other kinds of behavioral addictions and they include:

video game addiction, sex addiction, internet addiction, porn addiction, love addiction, work addiction, and gambling addiction. All these seem like normal ways of life of people (well, excluding porn and gambling). One by one, let us look at how these addictions play out.

Video game addiction

Video game addiction is a serious disorder characterized by excessive game play and disturbances in normal life functioning. You might be wondering, I play video games a lot like play stations, fifa, football manager, etc. does that mean I’m an addict? Well, not yet. Even if a gamer plays frequently or for long periods of time, that does not necessarily mean they are addicted to video games. A person who is addicted to video games is more likely to have difficulty thinking about activities other than gaming and the gaming interferes with school, social activities, hygiene, physical or mental health, or work performance. If you are that person who can forfeit food, having a bath, going out with family and friends, seeing your partner or forfeit a task because you are playing game, then, you should check it. A person with a video game addiction becomes anxious or miserable whenever they are unable to play games.

Work Addiction

You might be wondering, who on earth will be addicted to work when it is stressful to work? Well, work addiction often occurs in people who have a strong desire for perfection. Low self-esteem may also play a role in the development of work addiction, since working harder might earn a person his/her supervisor’s approval. Another factor that could possibly lead one to work addiction is emotional pain. Some people will rather stay back at home than going home to meet a trouble making partner or parents that won’t give one rest of mind. Some people with work addiction have parents who had very high expectations of them and felt as though their parent’s love and approval was dependent upon their professional success. It is hard to recognize work addictions because there are some jobs that are highly demanding and has one staying so late at work. However, when a person works many more hours than a job requires, and the person continues to work these extra hours despite negative effects on their personal life, family relationships, mental, and physical health, it is addiction.

Love Addiction

Love is typically seen as a positive experience. So, can too much love really be a bad thing? For those struggling with love addiction, the answer is yes. People with a love addiction are often in love with the feeling of being in love, which triggers compulsive behavior. What do I mean, the first time one falls in love, there is always a feeling that comes from it that people refer to as ‘butterfly in their belly’. It is this feeling that love addicts crave for and as a result, if they do not experience that feeling, they tend to get tired of the relationship and search for new love. The feeling of falling in love creates an emotional intoxication that deepens the addiction. People with love addiction may display the following: constant searching for new romantic partners, difficulty spending time alone, frequently starting relationships with people who are emotionally unavailable, feelings of desperation when not in a relationship and many others. Love addiction affects family, friendships, and romantic relationships too. When family members and friends point out addictive behavior, the addicted person may respond with denial, aggression, or hostility.

Every addict is different, so the fact that you don't have every symptom of an addiction is not an excuse for ignoring the problem. Instead, the key is to critically evaluate how your behavior affects your life. If compulsive behavior makes things worse—by driving you into debt, destroying your relationships, or forcing you to suffer some other loss, there is a possibility you have an addiction. Hope this has gone a long way? would like to read your contributions. Thank you.

Much Love,

KanyinWrites.