Addiction

When you think of addiction you probably think of drug addicts, alcoholics, or maybe even shopaholics. We've all heard of chocoholics, and people with gambling addictions. There have even been people accused of being addicted to phones and technology. But what about the less common addictions, the things that may seem slightly abnormal or simply like a random obsession? Some say addiction is a disease; I say it's a normal part of life. Everyone has an addiction, just not everyone realizes it or is willing to admit to it.

You've gone without your addiction going on 24 hours now. Your body started sweating long ago, now your hands start to shake, your mouth goes dry. You look for more supplies in your stash but it's empty. Your whole body starts shaking. You would do anything to make the withdraws stop, literally anything. These are some of the worst things about addiction, but this isn't the case for all addictions.

What about the things we do out of habit? That morning cup of coffee as you read the newspaper. Cereal for breakfast and ice cream for dessert. Wearing the same accessory or piece of jewelry every day, like a watch or a particular necklace. A smoke break in the middle of your shift at work. Listening to that one song, your "jam", to lift your spirits. A nice cold beer after a long day. Just because you don't get carried away or others don't notice doesn't make it any less of an addiction.

Addiction does not have to be a bad thing. It is all about moderation. One person can have several drinks in one day while another person has one drink every day for several days, but they are both alcoholics. One may go to a casino and blow an entire paycheck while another buys a $1 lottery ticket every day, but they are both addicted to gambling. One person may drink only coffee all day, every day while another only drinks one cup of coffee daily, but neither of them can go without their coffee. One is just more noticeable than the other, that does not make it any more or less good or bad.

What about being addicted to a particular person? Many people become codependent in relationships and come to rely on their partner in what some may consider to be unusual ways. And if the relationship ends? The codependent person tends to have adverse side effects. That's because they were addicted to their partner, whether it be their presence, their voice or smell, or just them as a person.

Not all addiction is bad. Many addictions have horrible side effects such as mood swings and health problems from alcohol or drugs, or wasting money on gambling and not having funds for what you need. However, there are some addictions that may not cause any side effects, other than making someone happy. What harm would come from wearing the same bracelet every day? Or loving the taste of baby carrots and ranch? These are sometimes referred to as casual addictions, meaning a person could quit these things without extreme side effects, if any.

Next time you want to point out someone else's addiction or judge them based on it, take a moment to stop and think about some of your own addictions and whether or not they affect you or the people around you. Maybe it's just an embarrassing habit that you wouldn't want shared with the world. Whatever the case may be, addiction exists, and you have one too.