“I’m not addicted,” you say. Okay, there’s the obvious, involving drugs. Good for you, you’re clean. But as you comb through the dictionary, you come across this definition of addiction, too: “The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.”
So it’s not just drugs that we can be addicted to. It can be an activity, like a sport. It can be the company of specific people, like a boyfriend or girlfriend. It can be a TV show, or a song we find ourselves playing over and over again.
What’s the line between commitment and addiction? Formally speaking, it’s when we stop being able to make the choice, when we can’t walk away anymore. But what about the murky areas, the commitments that we can’t imagine our lives without: to people, to causes, to our favorite books? What are we so strongly committed to that our commitment comes to resemble an addiction? What are the things we do that, were we to stop doing them, we would cease to be ourselves?
... Read more Fri 19, 2007 2:02
... Read more Fri 19, 2007 2:08
What a coincidence, Steve! I’m addicted to my girlfriend as well. And, unfortunately (I really have to break this habit), to receiving attention and performing.
Sat 20, 2007 7:24I’m addicted to gmail–I compulsively check for new messages, respond as quickly as possible, and file/organize my archives…I also think I’m addicted to always wanting to add on new activities or projects to my schedule
Sun 21, 2007 4:11But moreover, there is one thing I am unashamedly addicted to above all- Organic Macaroni & Cheese. Back to Nature, Kashi, Annie’s, Simply Organic, Trader Joe’s generic brand, I salute you. You have elevated my off-campus eating to haute cuisine. I just wish I didn’t finish the 1000 calorie box by myself. I DON”T KNOW HOW TO QUIT YOU!
... Read more Sun 21, 2007 5:33
I belive that I’m addicted to the concept of listening to others and giving them back everything that they give me and more, and breathing life and genuineness into every relationship I develop. I build these types of connections with as many people as possible, and not just to fulfill some intrinsic value I have, but it gives me absolute joy to know that I made a difference, whatever its magnitude may be, in someone’s day and even more importantly in someone else’s life.
... Read more Thu 1, 2007 1:11
I’m addicted to technology. MP3 players, my laptop, cell phone, tv are really staples in my life. They are essential for just getting by.
Sat 12, 2008 11:06