Live data from Hacker News

How to know if you’re addicted

psyche.co

11–20 of 213 posts

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#11
Recently gave cannabis a break. Been using for years as a medical user. If flower, I would smoke Felt like I wasn't anywhere near overdoing it, but when looking at cannabis withdraw symptoms... can confirm. Certainly had a problem.

Still wondering if i can even go back.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#12
That is a really beautifully designed website.

I was addicted to pornography. The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. I couldn't make it past one day.

I thought, maybe access was the issue - so I deleted my browsers, and within a day was reinstalling them just to watch porn.

I was watching during classes, and I would go late to events just so I could finish watching a particular scene, or explore a pornstar's catalogue.

It was only after confiding in somebody that I realised how deep I had sunk (watching and paying for snuff and gore), and it was extremely tough to come out of that.

I still get the urge when opening a browser to muscle memory type in a site, and it's constant vigilance and self-discipline that has held me at bay, but the pull has never went away.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#13
Is it just me or it's actually hard to find an answer "how to know if you're addicted" in the article?

I skimmed the article and thought I found it when I got to the section titled "Key points – How to know if you’re addicted", in the middle of the article; but again this section didn't give a list of things to look out for...

Maybe I missed it?

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#14
post #4
post #2

Remove the offending substance and see how long or to what extent you would go to get it back.

It's interesting to try it this way. Did it in the past with alcohol because I was curious how long it take to eliminate the urge (regardless of strength) to drink. Got through two months without any drinks and I'm not sure that the urge ever really went away. But I got used to tamping it down.

I really can’t relate… I drink but I never feel the “urge” to drink… I can simply stop and alcohol doesn’t even cross my mind for weeks.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#15

That is a really beautifully designed website. I was addicted to pornography. The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. I couldn't make it past one day. I thought, maybe access was the issue - so I deleted my browsers, and within a day was reinstalling them just to watch porn. I was watching during classes, and I would go late to events just s…

I wonder if the dopamine doses associated with the activity is what causes the addiction on the area.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#16

That is a really beautifully designed website. I was addicted to pornography. The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. I couldn't make it past one day. I thought, maybe access was the issue - so I deleted my browsers, and within a day was reinstalling them just to watch porn. I was watching during classes, and I would go late to events just s…

Same. I have heard it (addiction) described as an inability to 'decide not to'.

My most effective strategy has been to simply distract myself. Always listening to music, reading, anything to keep my mind from wandering.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#17
post #13

Is it just me or it's actually hard to find an answer "how to know if you're addicted" in the article? I skimmed the article and thought I found it when I got to the section titled "Key points – How to know if you’re addicted", in the middle of the article; but again this section didn't give a list of things to look out for... Maybe I missed it?

> Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance, despite the negative consequences to you or others.

If that describes you, you likely have an addiction.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#18
post #2

Remove the offending substance and see how long or to what extent you would go to get it back.

This isn't a good test because addiction is a dynamic situation. One can not simply remove the offending substance from their life for X days and confirm they are not addicted.

Persistent and compulsive is key to understanding how it works.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#19
post #13

Is it just me or it's actually hard to find an answer "how to know if you're addicted" in the article? I skimmed the article and thought I found it when I got to the section titled "Key points – How to know if you’re addicted", in the middle of the article; but again this section didn't give a list of things to look out for... Maybe I missed it?

> Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance, despite the negative consequences to you or others. If that describes you, you likely have an addiction.

I feel like the definition should just be "Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance".

Surely one can be addicted even if it doesn't have negative consequences right?

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#20
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the most common addictions now is cellphone addiction. But especially since the pandemic it's hard to do anything without a cell phone. You need your QR codes everywhere for testing or showing you're tested, show your vaccinations, check in to restaurants, etc.

> You need your QR codes everywhere for testing or showing you're tested, show your vaccinations You can do all of that without a phone.

You are right. Print the qr and put in your wallet like any elderly person I know does.
Post reply on HN