Is 7 cups addictive?

@Icareforu2

Yes. For some can be addictive, I know I was at a point, coming on every hour of the day. Making friends on here can be a contribute, if not able to always physically go out and socialize or anything in that nature. Since you're a listener, at times it can help take breaks from listening, whenever's convenient for you as well as not forgetting real life. It's having some form of balance. Now, I deactivate random points of the week or will just do weekends, then overtime you can find yourself at least having a handle on how long you're on here, setting a schedule even.

@Icareforu2

Deppends on the person. Of course if you abuse it (if you're like 12+ hours here) is unhealthy.

But if you use it everyday for a while I don't think is an addiction? Is just a way to get support.

@Icareforu2

Absolutely it can be addictive!

There are a lot of things that people love about 7 Cups - it helps people feel less alone, sense of community, making new friends, getting advice... There's not a lot of sites like it that allow for such personal conversations.

At the end of the day though, 7 Cups is built on the idea of supporting people to be in the 'real world'. A lot of these conversations are about struggling outside of that computer screen; so from an addictive point of view it's much healthier to be addicted to this site as opposed to drugs/alcohol etc.

How do you find that 7 Cups helps you? Do you think that it's helping you deal with things outside in the real world? Do you think it can help you find ways to connect with people offline and practice healthier/smarter strategies to cope with stress/anxiety/depression?

A lot of questions I know! But I think these are the ones to ask - that way you can get a better idea of how much you need to step away or take breaks from the site.

@Icareforu2

I guess it can be addictive in lots of different ways.

For a member, they may be basking in the help and get too attached, this isn't necessarily a bad thing it may just be the fact that a lot of people don't have somebody to come home to and discuss their problems to and therefore they may turn to 7cups as there is always someone available and willing to help. If this is the case, I think it will help you grow as a person and understand that you can't be too dependant on people, but also not too independent, you need a balance to adapt to your help significantly.

Yes. I had to take a break from here for about a year and a half because of my addiction to this place, getting caught up in the number of hearts I recieved on posts, being heard / getting attention in chatrooms, constantly talking to listeners instead of getting a therapist which was what I really needed. I grew increasingly close to people in unhealthy ways, checked back here every day and then eventually every hour, spent hours here instead of doing my homework. It became the first thing I did each morning as soon as I woke up, etc. I tend to get addicted to non face-to-face communication anyway, get addicted to people in the sense that I become very attached quickly, jealous, spiteful, etc. In some ways I think stayed sick just to continue getting help - like if I was getting better, I wouldn't need those people in my life.

That's kinda exactly what happened as I got better... though, I only started to get better in some areas when I really took time away. Leaving here was painful but so necessary because staying was painful too. I was so depressed and angry, hurting myself again in ways I hadn't even thought of for a long time, and didn't want to live. It was like I'd lost a part of me and all my friends and it took a long time to realize I hadn't lost a part of me, and the majority of the people I met here weren't 'friends' meant to stay in my life long-term. I had to face more trauma within myself and it felt like betrayals and abandonment all over again, as I'd lost someone I thought was very important to me here at the same time after yet another fight. And what was that fight about? Feeling like I didn't have enough attention when really she gave me all the attention in the world.

Too long, didn't read: Yes. My brain was hooked on attention, drama, immediate responses from people, likes / hearts, etc. Much like social media or becoming obsessed with a person in your 'real' life, or constantly using this as your escape from painful emotions / experiences. Was horrible for me. I feel better now, more mature and able to distance myself. The person you were talking to should go easy on herself. Anyways sorry to make this about me. I hope my experience sheds some light.

@Icareforu2

Yes, it is indeed addictive. And fortunately, I have always taken care to not indulge in listening or taking part in the forum discussions, communities & support chats excessively. I have always set boundaries and that has helped me to date. ❤

I believe it can be, like any other thing, especially when its something that makes you feel good in any way! Im basically new here and the first days I did spend alot of time on line trying to figure out the site and the communities and all that, afterwards I became a listener and the same happend, Ive taken breaks specially since I've been doing it during work time.

Yeah, it's definitely possible to get addicted to the social validation, and to get obsessed enough for it to have a negative impact on your offline life. It's something I know I have to be aware of.

Of course it is, but just like any addiction has its pros and cons...social media is addictive and 7cups is just another product...

@Icareforu2

Any action, especially those done impulsively, can become a habit. Habits are good when they are more benefitial than harmful, and bad when they are more harmful than beneficial, to one's health and wellbeing.

Personally, I've always defined the term 'addiction' as any bad (harmful to one's health and wellbeing) habit where one sees the detriment it's taking on him/her but still does not have the ability, willpower, or control to kick it.

For example, a Listener with anxiety issues triggered by hearing about other people's problems -- why would (s)he be a Listener if (s)he was unable to listen to Members and respond appropriately? I suppose 7Cups could be seen as an addiction if coming here to converse with others triggered hightened anxiety.

Why would a person put him/herself in such a situation? Well, perhaps (s)he wasn't ready to be a Listener but thought (s)he was; or (s)he was ready a long time ago, experienced some trauma, and snapped.