When behaviour ends, and addiction begins

by Lionel Wijesiri

If you have an addiction, you’re not alone. According to research, one in three is addicted to something

When we talk about addictions, we associate the word with an addiction to substances, such as alcohol, tobacco or drugs. But, in recent years, scientists have spent more time studying what’s known as behavioural addiction, or an overwhelming desire to continue engaging in a particular behaviour or action. Some of the characteristics of substance addictions and behavioural addictions are the same, including, lack of control over one’s actions, compulsive or obsessive behaviour and continuing to do something despite its negative consequences.

In some addictions, though, the action itself is considered socially acceptable, making the addiction harder to identify and deal with. In fact, some behaviours are so common that an addiction can easily go unnoticed. But, where is the line between normal behaviour and an addiction? And how can you tell the difference?

Let’s look at a few things that some people, may be even you, might not even realise you are addicted to.

Work

‘Workaholic’ is a term thrown around pretty loosely these days. But, even if you spend a lot of time working and are especially devoted to your profession, you may not necessarily be a workaholic.

Work addicts are obsessed with their work to the extent that they suffer physical exhaustion. If your relationship, family and social life suffer, and you never take holidays, you may be a work addict.

Work addicts find reasons to work, even if there’s no need to. Their minds are constantly thinking about work and work-related things. Workaholism is a compulsive disorder, and an addict doesn’t necessarily have to like his or her job. In other words, if you’re a workaholic, it’s part of who you are, not a result of the job you have.

Workaholism is an emotional issue. It’s not just about the number of hours you work. It’s about your frame of mind and the chemical processes happening in your body that reinforce behaviour. Some workaholics get their high from the adrenaline released when they’re stressed out. Others are performance-addicts who are drawn to the praise and sense of accomplishment that comes with overworking.

Television

Does the thought of missing your favourite TV series stress you out? Would you be irritated if your TV satellite service went down for couple of hours? Do you sometimes think you spend too much time watching TV?

Again, you’re not alone. So many people say they’re addicted to the television.

Perhaps, you may be relying on TV to take away your stress. Maybe, it does, but for a short time. And like any addictive drug, the longer you use it, the less of a reward you get from it. That’s why, for instance, the third hour of TV viewing is less satisfying than the first.

What’s more, when you’re relaxed, you’re less likely to stop doing what you’re doing, in other words, relaxing in front of the TV makes you less likely to want to turn the TV off and do something else. You eventually become an addict.

Exercise

Do you insist on rising at five in the morning every day for the one-hour jogging, even when your back is aching? Do you only feel good if you manage to visit the gym at least five times a week? Is eating, merely a way to replenish for the next race? Then, you are an exercise addict.

For the vast majority of us, regular exercise is a good idea. Around 30-45 minutes a day of moderate physical activity is enough to help prevent things such as, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

But, there is a group of perfectionists who are compulsive exercisers. They regularly push themselves to the limit. It’s advisable then to learn the wisdom of moderation. If you double up, take a cardio class plus a strength class, followed by gentle yoga. Doing two similar workouts back-to-back can put too much stress on your body. Rest is a crucial part of fitness. Skip a day or two every week.

Smartphone addict

Smartphone addiction, sometimes colloquially known as “nomophobia” (fear of being without a mobile phone), is often fuelled by an Internet overuse or Internet addiction disorder. After all, it’s rarely the phone or tablet itself that creates the compulsion, but rather, the games, apps, and the online world it connects us to.

Smartphone addiction can encompass a variety of impulse-control problems, including: Virtual relationships. Addiction to social networking, dating apps, texting, and messaging can extend to the point where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life relationships. Online friends tend to exist in a bubble, not subject to the same demands or stresses as messy real-world relationships.

Compulsive web surfing, watching videos, playing games, searching Google, or checking news can lead to lower productivity at work or school, and isolate you for hours at a time. All this compulsive use of the Internet and smartphone apps can cause you to neglect other aspects of your life, from real-world relationships to hobbies and social pursuits.

Shopping addict

For most people, it means some new clothes for work or a small trinket for a friend. For others, however, shopping is much more than an enjoyable pastime, and in some cases, it is a real and destructive addiction that can turn into a financial disaster.

Compulsive shopping and spending are defined as inappropriate, excessive, and out of control. Like other addictions, it basically has to do with impulsiveness and lack of control over one’s impulses. In Sri Lanka, shopping is quietly embedding in our culture; so often, the impulsiveness comes out as excessive shopping.

Any addiction is a treatable condition. Whatever the addiction, there are ways you can seek help. You could see your GP or a trusted elder for advice.