What Society Doesn't Call "Addiction" When it Really Is

The American Society of Addiction Medicine offers the following definition of addiction: the use of substances or behaviors that “become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.” When you look at addiction in this way, you can see that everyone is addicted to something. However, we may not see these things as “addictions.” What are some of these things?

Food as an Addiction: The Caffeine and Sugar Epidemic

Nobody thinks twice about eating junk food that’s full of sugar or drinking several cups of coffee throughout the day. It’s quite easy to get an inexpensive, calorie-laden meal at any time of day or night. I know because I’m guilty of it too. I reward myself with this comfort food because I’ve been trained to do so from a young age. However, the food industry dumps tons of sugar into these foods with the sole purpose of [making them addictive.](https://www.ecowatch.com/food-companies-making-products-addictive-2632845184.html#:~:text=“Pumping food full of sugar,the body to crave more.”)

We also don’t think much about our caffeine intake throughout the day. How many times have we all said, “I can’t even think without a cup of coffee in the morning.” This means that caffeine has an impact on the social aspects of your life but that’s not the only thing it impacts. It also negatively impacts your health.

Social Addiction: Getting Caught up in the World Around You

Food isn’t the only thing we find ourselves addicted to. Many parts of our society can also be addictive. We may not even notice that we’re addicted to some of these things.

Shopping

Many people don’t even realize there is such an addiction. However, addiction counselors will tell you that they see many people who are addicted to shopping. These people spend endless amounts of time online looking for things to buy or out in actual brick-and-mortar stores purchasing items. Fortunately, most people don’t develop a severe shopping addiction but for those who do, hoarding may become a real issue.

According to Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, addiction is also a compulsive dependence on a substance, habit, or practice. Since hoarding is also a type of compulsive behavior it can be classified as an addiction.

Phones

Everywhere you go someone is on a phone today. I know because I’m lost without mine too. This starts in the morning with checking your phone for messages and it doesn’t end until we go to sleep at night. When we’re bored we pick them up and scroll through them and when we lose them we go crazy. It’s important to understand here that one sign of addiction is being unable to live without the “substance of choice” which in this case is your phone.

Social Media

It seems like everyone has at least one social media account today. While this is a great way to network and keep in touch with family and friends, there does come a point when it’s too much. Once you find yourself trying to post the perfect picture, chasing likes, scrolling endlessly through your feed, and having FOMO (the fear of missing out) you know you’ve overdone it and become addicted to social media.

At the root of many addictions is anxiety. Unfortunately, some people seek to self-medicate themselves instead of seeking help for their addiction. In this same way, being addicted to social media may be a way in which you try to cope with anxiety. You may be trying to fit in with everyone else so they don’t recognize your anxiety. However, what you’re forgetting here is that, just like you, they’re only posting the best pictures of them and their lives.

Being a Workaholic

I know I’m guilty of this, unfortunately. As a freelancer, I determine how much money I make and sometimes I get so caught up in making money that I work way too much. I’m not the only one who does this though. Many people (especially those who work as doctors and lawyers) allow themselves to become workaholics. What we fail to realize is that being a workaholic can be just as destructive as alcoholism. Both of these can send us to an early grave if we don’t acknowledge our issue and seek addiction recovery.

Tattoos

Have you ever noticed that people who get tattoos can’t stop at just one? This is because tattoos are another form of addiction. With this addiction, you’re seeking an adrenaline rush.

Adrenaline is a hormone that your body releases when it’s feeling stressed. In this case, the pain from the needle is producing this stress response. It then results in an adrenaline rush (a sudden burst of energy). This is something that some people like so much that they seek it out. The same thing happens when a person grows addicted to drugs which is why some drug addicts will refer to themselves as “adrenaline junkies.”

Television

Nobody thinks twice about binge-watching their favorite television series. However, when you stop to think about it that’s at least 13 hours of your life that you just spent sitting in front of your television set. Nobody thinks about this though. Rather than question the time you spent in front of the TV they’d rather know what awesome show you watched so they can binge-watch it too.

This is called “binge-watching” for a reason though. The word “binge” is frequently used in reference to addictions. It’s defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “a period of excessive indulgence” - exactly what we’re doing when we spend an entire day in front of the TV watching the same show. Just think of what you could be doing with those 13 hours of your life.

Why Understanding These Addictions is Important

Bringing awareness to these types of addiction is important as it will help us be more compassionate and understanding of those around us who may suffer from some of the more “common” addictions (e.g., pornography, gambling, drugs, alcohol). Together we need to work towards healthier, more fulfilling lives.

For more support, join our empathetic community, chat with a free, trained listener, make progress through a community-driven growth path or start affordable online therapy today.

Biography

Bre Hoffman initiated her listener journey on 7 Cups in October 2021. Currently, she is also attending Christian Leaders Institute to become an addiction recovery coach. She is a Content Development and Marketing (CDM) Program graduate at the 7 Cups Academy and continues to contribute to 7 Cups as a project agent with an editorial assistant focus. When not creating content Bre enjoys crafting and playing with her canine fur babies.