Why do people become addicted to things?

Question

You can become addicted to just about anything. I'm addicted to the internet. I can't go one day without coming on here for at least an hour

Answer 1

There's a growing attachment and the familiarity becomes something that you are used to. It's a habit that becomes an addiction.

(When I say addiction, I mean that you are unable to tear yourself away from that aspect.)

Answer 2

If people were leading a fulfilled, happy life, there would be absolutely no need for addiction in any form. People find their own addictions to make them happy, but an hour on the internet daily does not make you an addict. Jees, if that was the case then I would be certified..lol!
Answers is a good example..say your answer is voted the best answer, then you get ten points. Those ten points cause the rewarding dopamine release from the neuro transmitters in your brain, and this makes you feel good. This experience makes you feel good, because you have helped someone and it is a "pat on the back" for you. The addictive side comes to light because you want to experience the reward again and again, but I think if you keep everything in perspective, only answer questions that really interest you..and not just for the two points, then you learn how to control yourself.
Being addicted to drugs is exactly the same..dopamine etc. are released in the same way, you feel good. Once you know the mechanism you can control it!

Good luck and Happy Xmas!

Answer 3

In terms of substances like alcohol, genetics plays a part. But for things like the Internet etc., it's a mental posture or attitude. In that sense, you can become addicted to just about anything. The warning sign is when a treat becomes a necessity, and when the reaction to being denied that pleasant thing is out of all proportion to the real situation.
At that point, it's good to either take yourself in hand by cutting back on whatever it is (time online, watching TV, reading certain books, eating snacks) or poss get some help and support from others--whether professsionals, in the case of a serious problem, or just a friend you can talk to. Often sharing the problem gives you a chance to mentally "walk around" the situation and see where the real problem lies.
Are you using the Internet (or whatever) as a substitute for interacting with other people face to face? Is it a "security blanket" for comfort? Is it your way of shutting out the world, your situation, or those around you?
These are important questions. Addictions are usually vehicles to help us "hide" from or forget about the problems in our lives we don't want to deal with. If you only treat the symptoms, the disease will go merrily on.

Answer 4

Addiction comes in many forms.

There's physical addiction to certain drugs, and those types of addiction are reinforced by the pleasurable effect the drug produces and often the painful physical withrawal one experiences on quiting the drug. That would be true of alcohol, heroin and barbiturates, amongst others.

There are addictions or dependencies to work, gambling, the internet... and a plethora of other things. And those can exist for many reasons... and there are at least a few reasons, usually, that each individual finds themselves excessively involved with such activities.

Usually it's a combination of receiving some satisfaction from the activity along with the opportunity to avoid less satisfying or more challenging areas of human development. So it's perhaps less an addiction than a distraction that serves as a hiding place from other issues and responsibilities.

We need to be responsive to all the conditions and challenges of our lives, so balance is always key.

Answer 5

I only consider something an addiction if it is actually harmful to you, either phyiscally, mentally or socially. Being online for an hour a day, isn't in my book an addiction, it's just something you enjoy like listening to music or watching TV. If however, you were spending hours a day on here and not speaking to your family and friends, not eating properly, not doing your work etc etc then that is when it becomes problematic.
Addiction is an illness whether it is addiction to alcohol, food, computer games or gambling. It requires some sort of medical intervention to sort it out. Group therapy can be very helpful.

Answer 6

People become addicted to things for two main reasons.
1) They are trying to overcompensate for something that is lacking in their life & make up for it by becoming addicted to other things.
2) They simply have an addictive personality. Like Alcoholism is someone addicted to alcohol but its an actual illness; an addiction.
Oh & coming onto the internet for an hour doesn't make you addicted, i think you just like the internet. 1 hour is not excessive. Your only addicted if something is taking over your life.

Answer 7

I believe people become addicted to things because they are avoiding some other feeling - usually anxiety. We are so afraid to feel our feelings and experience anxiety that we do all kinds of unhealthy things to avoid it. Once we find something that can take our focus off the feeling, pain, anxiety or other it is hard to give it up. The real question is what are you avoiding feeling? What would happen if you would just sit with the feeling for a while, talk to someone about it or write about it. As strange as this may sound - the feeling will lose it power if you honor it.

Answer 8

I know what you mean! I'm definitely addicted to the internet, I'm on it for like 5+ hours lol. I guess as long as I still have time for other life interests (love, friends, happiness, school) then it's alright.

Answer 9

It takes time for someone to become addicted to something. After a period of time, their mind only thinks about that one thing. As a result, you become "dependent" on it. You might think about that thing all day, and not feel right until you have it.

Answer 10

I think too many people confuse addiction with simply enjoying things.

I too am addicted to Yahoo Answers but it's enjoyable, legal, unharmful and FUN! Not addiciting. If I were left without a computer for 2 weeks I would be just fine without it.