A few years ago, TLC aired a show called “My Strange Addiction.” It featured rare, abnormal, and downright bizarre addictions that some people have. A few particularly strange ones included: eating sand, drinking paint, chewing on rubber from tires, eating glass, snorting baby powder, and eating mattress filling. If you turned your nose up or were a little grossed out reading that list, it’s likely you understand how dangerous these bizarre addictions can be.
When we hear the word ‘addiction,’ most people jump to drugs or alcohol. After all, we’ve all heard of AA or NA. And sadly, we’ve all probably known someone who struggled with a substance abuse.
But, we’re in contact with people every day (or you are the person) who struggle with other common addictions. Even when they do not involve illegal substances or maybe aren’t even physically harmful, addictions in any form can be debilitating and negatively affect our closest relationships.
7 Common Addictions Beyond Drugs & Alcohol
- Food
When you find yourself disappointed, or angry, or stressed, do you run to food for comfort? Comfort eating is not uncommon, and in isolated events, not necessarily harmful. Who doesn’t love a big bowl of hot chicken noodle soup when you’re sick or a bowl of chocolate ice cream after a particularly difficult day? Enjoying isolated food pleasures is fine. But problems arise when eating becomes the only means of comfort and when the eating is taken to extreme. Eating beyond “fullness” and neglecting a well-balanced diet as you seek to soothe yourself leads to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and so much more. If you watch “This is Us,” you know that Kate’s obesity and food addiction began when she was seeking comfort after her father’s untimely death.
Portion control your comfort foods. Place a couple of cookies or other foods in containers or bags where you can grab one at a time rather than downing the whole package. Give yourself permission to enjoy one serving – but just the one.
- Exercise
Sometimes even something as good for us as exercise can become an unhealthy addiction. When people feel like life is out of control, their physical fitness seems like something they can control. Obsessed with their looks and weight, some people push exercise to the extreme rather than resorting to bulimia or anorexia. But over exercising can lead to an injury and joint issues in the future.
Consulting with your doctor about the appropriate amount of exercise is a great place to start. If you’re worried about weight and size, don’t forget to include a balanced diet in your exercise plan.
- Technology
This newer and quickly spreading addiction is leading to decreased attention spans and hyperactivity. Ask yourself, can I sit in a waiting room or stand in a line without needing to thumb through my email or social media account? For many, the answer is “no.” Yes, emails and social media are a part of our 21st century life, and they are great tools for work and fun. But, checking our phones constantly and never letting them get more than an arm’s reach away can lead to problems. When we are glued to our devices, we miss out on authentic communication in our relationships. Social media addictions confuse our perceptions of acceptance and validation. And then there are other, very serious internet addictions like: internet shopping addictions, pornography addictions, and online gambling.
Give yourself a chance to unplug. As much as you are able, pick one day a week to be device free. Go outside for a walk or play a board game with the kids. Charge your phone somewhere besides your nightstand so that you aren’t reaching for it at bedtime. (By the way, your spouse will appreciate this one and it may even help improve your sex life.)
- Sex
Let’s not confuse sex and intimacy. Intimacy involves awareness of our partner’s feelings while listening to and catering to their desires as well. Sexual addictions are self serving and seek to gratify a sensual experience or sexual gratification. Sexual addicts use their partners as a means to an end. Sex addicts degrade their partners and often have multiple, different sexual partners. Besides the loss of real, meaningful and fulfilling marital intimacy, this addiction leads to STD’s, illegitimate pregnancies, and broken relationships.
Sex is a wonderful gift, but that’s when it’s paired with intimacy. A healthy sex life serves both partners. Awkward or difficult as it may be, ask your spouse how you can better be attuned their physical desires. Actually look at your mate during sex, and focus your mind on sharing the experience with him/her.
- Shopping
The average American household has racked up several thousand dollars in credit card debt. Overshopping can a result of many things, but a common reason shopaholics give is that they like how they feel when they buy the new item. Whether it be a new outfit, new gadget, or new home decor, many shopaholics admit these items feel worthless when they finally get home and often go unused. The illusion that the object will turn the shopper into a new person is simply that – an illusion.
If you’re prone to overspending when your under pressure, give your credit cards to a trusted friend. Budget your income and allot a safe amount for spending. When wanting to purchase an object, ask yourself if you really need it and then wait 24 hours. During that time, the appeal of unnecessary items can fade.
- Gambling
The thrill of a big win leads gamblers into casinos and hopeful dreamers into stores to buy lottery tickets. Rationale is out of the window for most gamblers, as they put out of mind how very unlikely their odds of winning really are. Gamblers indulge in a fantasy. They seek excitement but find loss instead. And even if you do hit the jackpot, did you know a high percentage of lotto winners go on such a spending spree that it’s not uncommon for them to later file for bankruptcy?
Rather than pursuing the big win, pursue a realistic goal or accomplishment. Winning big will never solve all of your problems.
- Smoking
There has never been a smoker who could honestly say that their habit was good for them. Despite repeated evidence of the physical harm on our bodies (emphysema, cancer, etc) and those breathing the smoke in second hand, smokers battle a strong addiction to nicotine.
While smoking is an addiction that is very difficult to quit, there are people who quit everyday. Recovery programs, nicotine patches, and going cold turkey have been helping people for decades.
Addictions come in various forms, but victory comes in a daily choice to overcome your addiction and making intentional decisions to remain in control. Your health is worth it. Your relationships are worth it. Help is available! If you or someone you love is struggling with any addiction, let’s start the journey to recovery today.
-Joel D. Walton