The Top 3 Addictions of Life
Image courtesy: Ayustety; This image is published under this creative commons license.
When you read the title (and saw the image), you were probably thinking that I would write about alcohol, tobacco and drugs. No. There are bigger addictions in life that go unnoticed and perhaps even glamorized. I am going to write about them, in this article.
What is the definition of the word ‘addiction’?
According to Wikipedia, classic hallmarks of addiction are:
- Impaired control over substance/behavior
- High preoccupation over substance/behavior
- Continued use despite consequences
- Denial (don’t want to agree that one is addicted to something)
Also, “The habits and patterns associated with addiction are typically characterized by immediate gratification (short-term reward), coupled with long-term costs”
“The body continually adapts to the substance and requires increasingly larger amounts to achieve original effects”
“Symptoms of withdrawal include anxiety, irritability and intense craving for the substance”
Dictionary.com defines addiction as, “The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma”
Having read the definition of addiction, let us now see the Top 3 addictions of life.
1. Money:
Have you met anyone who is satisfied with the amount of money they have? Don’t they always want to make more? People celebrate when they get a bonus/raise/jackpot prize but that celebration is very soon replaced by the craving to get even more. Of course, money includes everything that money can buy, including gadgets and fashion accessories.
2. Fame/Authority:
To understand how addictive fame can be, go ask a heroine who is long beyond her hey-days of youth. Or ask a sports star who refuses to retire. For everyone else, its authority. When people experience a state of high-authority/power, can they ever tolerate being the underdogs (withdrawn from their seat of power) again?
3. Pleasures of life:
Well, I know this is a generic title but it can include any kind of pleasure, including having sex. If you disagree, re-read the above definition for addiction and then see if it partially satisfies those conditions. I feel it does. Alcohol, tobacco and drugs can also come under this category.
Of course, I am not an expert in analyzing the top addictions of life and I certainly don’t have a doctorate degree in that subject. So, don’t take everything seriously – In fact, I once even proposed that water is addictive 😛 . These are my opinions and you may have a different opinion on the same.
But if you think that any of the above doesn’t have even a 1% possibility of being an addiction, you are in that advanced state of ‘denial’. Watch out! But if you feel that they have a 1% possibility but not anything more, then its fine 🙂
Destination Infinity
PS: If you have noticed, I have nowhere mentioned if these addictions are right/wrong. So, don’t assume any implied meanings.
Addiction depends and differs from person to person, I guess. I am not addictive to faany of these, but for yes – fashion jewellery, sandals, handbags..Oh and yes, I was addictive for Farmville once..And now for Photography and Wii games 🙂
All of us are addicted to many things in life. I guess addiction is a part of life. I sometimes wonder if life itself is addictive! Farmville, Facebook, Blogs, Angry Birds and other social media came very close to being featured here 🙂
Destination Infinity
hmmm well you should have put what are your top three addictions 🙂
I am addicted to a lot of things .. but thankfully not FB or orkut etc etc
Money is very important , I have no qualms in saying that and i work hard to make mine and would not mind having more ..
Well, my top three addictions are – 1. Blogging, 2. Blogging, 3. Blogging 4. Sleeping 🙂
Money is a confusing ball game. What we wish for today might become the needs of tomorrow. That’s why!
Destination Infinity
I agree with the need /desire to make more than one currently has in terms of money, but I am not a money maniac, not addicted to see the figures go higher each time I look at them.
My latest addiction has blogging at it’s top, followed by trying new recipes (though am not sure whether it actually qualifies to be an addiction).
No addiction to social networking in my case 😀
People who were/are addicted to money and wanted to see their purse figures go higher each time have been involved in a lot of activities and contributed to the increased activity in this world. Whether it is good or not, is something I want to stay away from sheerly due to ignorance/inexperience.
It’s evident that you are not addicted to social networks as you get time to try out new recipes 🙂
Destination Infinity
good work there.. you got me with the picture and I was thinking it will be all about booze… 🙂
Yeah, the picture was only a symbolic association 🙂
Destination Infinity
There is also a state beyond the state of denial — renouncement. And surprisingly we have many many people even in today’s world who are living the life of renounced joy. They are the very poor of this country, who have no desires left anymore, save the business of getting through another day.
But the sages of yore did master these addictions.
I think, the observation of the poor not having any desires anymore is not totally right. They might seem that they want to get through another day, but I think that they do hope to see better light someday. Not being able to give importance to their desires may not mean that they don’t have any desires.
Some sages of the olden days were able to live without heeding to these desires, and many more aspired to get to that state. Personally, I think it doesn’t make much difference – Having desires or otherwise, I mean.
Destination Infinity
Yes, the above mentioned things are addictive. I remember once I was addicted to cough syrups. I just wouldn’t fall asleep if I didn’t have it. I am addicted big time to books. FB is not my thing. I am addicted to patting while sleeping. Well, its a long list.
Not being able to sleep without Cough syrup? OMG. That reminds me of the addiction I had to inhalers, long after recovering from cold. I then threw it out one day and everything has been fine since then.
Destination Infinity
At times I think I have an addictive personality. I was addicted to my blog (nitawriter.wordpress) and worked on it constantly. At night I used to think of what to write and as soon as I got up I started to write, even before my cup of tea! Family members would get irritated ofcourse! Even when out I was always thinking should I write about this or not! I put my freelance writing on the backburner, and stopped working on my book. I got so addicted that I had to reply every single comment and all of this drained me. I would never admit that I was addicted. I had all the classic symptoms! I thought this was a choice I was making, doing something very useful, helping people. Perhaps I was, but when I realised that it was kind of an addiction (it took 3 years), I stopped! Thank God! People asked me why and this is the first time I am writing why! I didn’t even want to reply to the comments on the post in which I said that I was stopping. Even then I did not have the heart to say that I was stopping forever. Maybe I am not. I don’t know.
I am very happy now as I have two blogs I am not addicted to. And I do other types of writing and I have a personal life!!
I remember you closed the comments section of the farewell post, but people were still commenting on the previous posts enquiring about the same.
I think it would have been better for you to continue that blog without having to reply to comments. I know how difficult/time-consuming it is to reply to many comments (of course, we do enjoy it). I feel that one/two posts per month without participating in the comments section would have kept that blog very active.
But in that blog, you did something which we all could only dream about. I think it was one of the most popular blog in India about current affairs. To be frank, your blog was an inspiration to start mine.
Sometimes, I too feel that I spend a lot of time on this personal blog of mine, but since the readers are less I am able to manage. I guess its more to do with passion and I do accept that it can become an addiction and hence we need to closely monitor/restrict the time/energy spend on this activity.
Destination Infinity
DI, some people wrote to me and suggested what you did. I wish I could have done that but I know me. I would not be able to control myself. I feel very strongly about certain things going on currently in this country and if I had a blog I would write and write! If I felt something I would write it. If I saw a comment I would have to reply to it because I felt something. You see, it is like a cured alcoholic who cannot take one drink and stop!
Then I don’t want to encourage it 🙂 But then, we missed a great blog and a great community. That’s all I can say.
Destination Infinity
i think its very difficult to define addiction it may look bad for other person and the addicted may find it right,
example to service to poor,
love for nation,
and as you said money etc.
That’s right. What is normal to our eyes might look like addition to others. And vice versa. Perhaps the mind is addicted to get addicted? Hmmm…..
Destination Infinity
Agree with you completely here..these three are really the real addictions of life. However if i were permitted to add one of mine..it would be READING!!
Reading, playing video games, etc might become addictive, but looks like we need to get addicted to something or the other. Books are better than most 🙂
Destination Infinity
According to recent surveys the internet is the latest addiction and it is said tht people are not ready to accept a million dollars[if they are offered ie] if they have to live without internet 😛
I agree. I guess both of us are addicted to it as well? 😉
Destination Infinity
The most addictive things are mobile and internet nowadays I think!
I am not addicted to mobile/games. But I am addicted to the Internet!
Destination Infinity