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When talking about addictions, people usually first think about the ones that are most often painted in dark colors by our society, like illegal substances, smoking, gambling, and similar vices. But even if we don’t ever deal with any of those things, it’s probably safe to say that we’re all addicted to something.
Some bad habits are so normalized in our society that many people tend to forget just how big of an addiction they really are. However, when someone online asked netizens to name these things, there wasn’t a lack of those who came through, as answer after answer poured in. Scroll down to see what they wrote!
More info: Reddit
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#1
Honestly I think alcohol culture. Especially here in Australia, I can’t talk for other countries. Everyone is so dependant on drinking it’s a shame.
Luke Branwen 7 months ago
This should be #1 IMO. I'm a non-drinker, so it's only more apparent how people here become honest-to-god slaves of alcohol once they turn 15-16ish. It's so prevalent you're ousted and ridiculed for NOT drinking - to the point that there's a TV ad about how it's okay to drink non-alcoholic beer. It's ruining people.
People can have an addiction to many things but, alas, not to everything. For example, some like to say that we are addicted to water and that thirst is the withdrawal symptom of it. The same goes for oxygen, food, and similar things.
However, none of that is really true. We can’t really call something an addiction or dependence if it is what our bodies and brains function on and couldn’t survive without. So, what does the word "addiction" really mean?
#4
Sugar.
Petunia Petal 7 months ago
I am totally addicted to sugar. For health reasons, I've had to cut down over the past year and it's been the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I have less than I used to but, it's so easy to binge and "treat" myself when I've done well with something, for example, at work.
#5
Celebrities' lives
They're just people. Half of them don't even do anything.
#6
Energy drinks - there are people who drink them like water while I get sick by just smelling them.
According to Meara Withe of Medical News Today, addiction is a chronic health condition in which a person struggles to stop substance use or can’t cease engaging in a benefit-providing behavior. It causes cravings and compulsive behavior and develops changes in the brain.
On the other hand, there is another similar thing known as dependency. It occurs when the person’s body adapts to a substance’s presence and exhibits withdrawal symptoms once the usage is reduced or ends too abruptly.
#8
Addiction to a political party? Doesn't matter what they do or say, you'll defend it with your full chest,make excuses, engage in whataboutism and get angry/violent with folk who point out their faults.
Kenneth Smith 7 months ago
If you agree with 100% of what your party says or does, or if your party never messes up, you haven't thought through the issues hard enough. No party should look exactly like you because no party is you. Here's the shocker (you ready for this?): That's perfectly ok.
Some things can cause one or both of these issues. However, they’re not the same, so having an addiction doesn’t necessarily mean that you also have a dependency, and vice versa.
Unlike people suffering from addiction, those with a dependency may not find it difficult to control their behavior and could even feel indifferent towards the thing they’re using, but since their body has adapted to having that substance present, negative effects can be felt when it’s no longer found in the usual quantities.
And yet, it’s not always about substances. For example, nowadays, a lot of people are addicted to comfort, which, according to Lisa Haisha of the Insurance Journal, means that a person stays in a situation that makes them unhappy and doesn’t attempt to make any change despite being fully aware of this.
#10
Idk if it’s seen as normal by society, but it’s often brushed off or laughed at by younger generations.
Gaming addiction. I’m a gamer myself but gaming addition is very much a thing. It seems especially an issue with kids who’s parents didn’t bother to ever monitor their screen time. Kids who get to a point where they will not spend time doing anything else and it’s all they ever think about, and will go absolutely nuclear if their parents try to take their Xbox/PlayStation/Switch/PC away from them when they realise it’s an issue too late.
It’s not just kids mind you. My relationship with my ex was ruined because he was addicted to a specific video game to the point he literally had nothing else going on in his life and that’s all he’d spend his waking hours doing. He refused to get a job for years because he was so invested in that game.
ETA: For people asking what game, it was Super Smash Bros lmao.
Array Index Out of Bounds 7 months ago
I'm not into multi-player games, so I don't really know about this, but could these type of games be harmful just for the social media aspect? I like old-school type games that no one took too seriously.
#12
Caffeine.
The amount of coffee I've seen people drink all on ambition to "get through the day" is rather alarming.
That tiny x on the pop up add 7 months ago
And then people wonder why they are so stressed all the time. Caffeine is bad news.
Quitting a bad habit is rarely easy, but it’s not impossible. If you feel like you’re ready to kick some addictions and improve your life, Elizabeth Hartney of Very Well Mind suggested a few things you could do.
Begin by preparing. Think about what your next steps will be and what you’ll need to achieve them. This could mean finding social support, eliminating triggers, or even setting up a certain date for when you’ll do it.
Next, talk to your doctor and consider medications. Some addictions can be really difficult to rid yourself of, and there is medicine that can make the process a whole lot easier.
#13
Nicotine.
In what rational universe is it seen as socially acceptable to fill the air with disgustingly stinky smoke with zero regard for who might smell it and whether those people actually want to smell it?
WindySwede 7 months ago
to be fair, I believe they put more things into them than just tobacco?
#14
Vaping
Since it’s better than smoking it’s like no one cares.
#15
Fast food.
Captain McSmoot 7 months ago
"I can't stop eating. I eat because I'm unhappy, and I'm unhappy because I eat. It's a vicious cycle."
You could also consider your environment. Avoid the aforementioned triggers that can bring out the cravings, which can include not only things in your home but also routes you usually take or even people you hang out with.
Moreover, find yourself some distractions. Keeping busy is the best way to distract yourself from seeking the things you shouldn’t.
And lastly, don’t feel afraid or ashamed to get help. Involve your friends, family, or even medical professionals, who will walk by your side every step of the way, making the process a lot smoother and challenges a lot easier to beat.
#16
Regardless of someone's religion, any kind of religius addiction is the most normal thing to society. That's what I have saw with my own eyes atleast.
Luke Branwen 7 months ago
Being religious is okay. Being a devout follower of a religion is also okay, as long as you use your beliefs to make people's lives better. Using a religious belief as an excuse to be hateful and intolerant is not okay - and that includes ALL religious beliefs, including atheism.
#17
Some folks just can't see that they're always competing with others and wonder why they aren't liked. So, they try even harder, but it's a never-ending cycle. They'll never be happy with what they've got in life.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 7 months ago
We would be plenty happy with more mousie toys and tuna! We'd even share.
#18
[Coca-cola]. I know people that don't remember the last time they drank water.
In the end, catching a bad habit is easy. There are so many things around that always seem like great comfort or harmless fun until you realize it may not be so harmless after all. And perhaps there’s no point in trying to protect yourself from everything, as that would take a lot of good things from life, too. However, it pays to be aware of what you’re getting into, and posts like this Reddit thread are perfect for it.
What did you think about this article? What normalized addiction would you add to the list? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
#21
Food.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 7 months ago
Most experts say that quitting an addiction cold turkey is ultimately easier and more successful. Quitting an addiction when your body truly does need the item, and you must partake?
#22
TV. "Hehe, we just binge-watched this TV show!" Yeah, you blew an entire spring weekend on some churned-out reality TV garbage.
DennyS (denzoren) 7 months ago
But did you enjoy it? Was it fun? Was it a one-off event? I feel like this is only bad when it's being done constantly.
#23
Living indoors. We’re so frightened of going out and so comfortable on the sofa we’ve forgotten that daylight, trees, views and fresh air are good for us.
Halcyon 7 months ago
I'm guilty of this, but I also don't have anywhere to go. Everywhere outside is just... roads. There is simply no good destination to go to, nowhere within walking distance. I can't drive because I don't have a license. I can't bike because there was nowhere safe to learn. I'm frightened of going out — because if I go out, there's a risk that I'll get hit by a pickup truck because they're so common now. They won't be able to see me when I'm crossing the 45mph (70kph) road that has no crosswalk that is right next to my home.
#24
Money.
DennyS (denzoren) 7 months ago
If I could just do the things I enjoy and not have to worry about how I'm gonna pay the bills or in case of an emergency, believe me, I would...but then I'd be wealthy....which I'm not. lol
#25
Working out and going to the gym can quickly get addicting and take over other aspects of a normal life.
#26
Reddit
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 7 months ago
We don't have to be addicted to Reddit. Bored Panda is so good at importing their stories.
#27
Working at a job you don't enjoy.... even though all purports to show thatmost of what causes global warming comes from the consumerism we have developed as a lifestyle, we can't stop ourselves... the boomers keep amassing because they never tried contemplation and now the future generations are addicted to screen time to keep from the reality of not being able to join in the party....
Captain McSmoot 7 months ago
The above post is a long stream of buzzwords that make no sense when crammed together in that order.
What do you think ?
Kristie French 7 months ago
A big one nobody mentioned is complaining. People whose only contribution to any conversation is to complain about something, anything. I personally know several people like this and it’s so aggravating.
David Paterson 7 months ago
Gambling. Lotteries, Scratchies, Keno, Pools, Lotto, Sports betting. And more.
devotedtodreams 7 months ago
I've never participated in that in my life so far because I fear I might get addicted. Better safe than sorry.
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Sky Render 7 months ago
From what I've seen, one of the worst is addiction to FOMO culture. There are a lot of people out there who "must" have anything limited edition, who must experience anything that's only running for a limited time, and who will actually stock up excessively on seasonal or limited-time-only food items just so they can say they still have access to it after it's gone.
Kristie French 7 months ago
A big one nobody mentioned is complaining. People whose only contribution to any conversation is to complain about something, anything. I personally know several people like this and it’s so aggravating.
David Paterson 7 months ago
Gambling. Lotteries, Scratchies, Keno, Pools, Lotto, Sports betting. And more.
devotedtodreams 7 months ago
I've never participated in that in my life so far because I fear I might get addicted. Better safe than sorry.
Load More Replies... Sky Render 7 months ago
From what I've seen, one of the worst is addiction to FOMO culture. There are a lot of people out there who "must" have anything limited edition, who must experience anything that's only running for a limited time, and who will actually stock up excessively on seasonal or limited-time-only food items just so they can say they still have access to it after it's gone.
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