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How to know if you’re addicted

psyche.co

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Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#51

Post by jdrc »

IAmGraydon wrote: post #17
aurbano wrote: 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.

Ok but define persistent, compulsive, negative, and it's not just for substances

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#52

Post by Karunamon »

carlmr wrote: post #6
sumosudo wrote: post #2

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

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.

I think "cellphone addiction" isn't really a thing, the phone is just a means to an end. It's going to be what's happening on the phone, be it games or social media.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#55

Post by andrewmcwatters »

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

This is a really poor definition, because you can be addicted to things that have no negative consequences to you, and you still don't want to do them.

"An inability to stop" is probably more succinct.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#56

Post by hervature »

IAmGraydon wrote: post #17
aurbano wrote: 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.

The problem is that this definition does not help with the identification process. For instance, any use of drug is arguably not compulsive as the effect often brings pleasure/reward and is often premeditated. "I'm tired, let me get a coffee". So, by simple rationalization, any addict can come to the conclusion that their behavior is not compulsive. Anyone who has the wherewithal to introspect and realize where this need for coffee came from does not need this definition as they already have the ability to differentiate addiction versus genuine desire/want.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#57

Post by heikkilevanto »

aurbano wrote: post #19
IAmGraydon wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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?

By that definition, I must be addicted to oxygen, food, water, and a number of other substances.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#58

Post by openknot »

aurbano wrote: 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?

From a writing perspective, a critique with the article's structure is that the sub-heading "What to do" comes first before the list of questions to ask yourself.

It's placed under "Reflect on urges and motivation," with the points:

"Do you recognise your feelings and behaviour in any of the signs below?

"-You need an increasing amount of alcohol or drugs to feel a buzz or high.

-You feel an urgency to get the first drink or drug of the day.

-You experience a loss of interest in other activities and an increased desire to get ‘high’ or ‘buzzed’.

-You try to quit or cut down on the use of alcohol or drugs but can’t.

-You will do almost anything to get the drug or alcohol."

This segment is particularly more difficult to find at the first glance, as it's in the middle of the broader "What to do" section, versus at the start or end of the section. These points of the article may have been a more suitable fit under the emphasized "Key points" section.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#59

Post by champagnois »

matheusmoreira wrote: post #44
JimWestergren wrote: post #28

Why such a focus of substances and no mention of the more common addictions such as video games, porn and social media?

They don't cause the severe dysfunction found in substance abuse. Opioid addiction for example is among the ugliest things in existence. Video games, gambling, social media addictions are all bad but not to the same degree.

Social media addiction can lead to severe mental health issues, eating disorders, depression, and even suicide.

Video game addiction often leads to children and adults completely destroying their professional or academic lives. In many cases, a child grows up to find a balance between working just enough to afford their videogame habbit.

I have read stories of an adult who was so addicted to a simple cellphone game that they were compulsively telling lies to create more game time and ultimately destroyed all of their social relationships and lost their job. All of that dysfunction stems from their brain's addiction to the rush of progress bars, levelling up, victory screens, and success chimes.

Not all people are wired the same. A lot of brains are hopelessly addicted to these two categories of stimuli and I feel you dismiss them a bit too carelessly.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#60

Post by bengale »

sleepingadmin wrote: post #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.

I found it hard to regulate but easy to quit. I was probably smoking more than you from the sound of it, but I found myself smoking more during the work day when I started working from home, tried to put some limits on it and then found myself breaking the rules. So I stopped cold, worst of it was probably the desire to smoke while winding down, more of a craving than a compulsion though and no physical symptoms.
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