There is a plethora of addictions that society has dismissed as “no biggie.” We often see these addictions memed up as a means of laughing at the misery we are all in. Here is a look at 15 serious addictions that people don’t take seriously enough.
1. Smartphones
Phone addiction is prevalent, and it’s distracting to the point where it is dangerous. For example, texting while driving, people being on their phones, people neglecting their kids, and they can have some serious issues for your neck, wrists, and back.
It may appear miniscule, but society has become so engrossed in their phones that they must pick it up every few minutes to check notifications and get small dopamine boosts that they’ve grown addicted to from scrolling.
2. Food
People with food addiction struggle every day with a loss of control or inability to stop eating certain foods. Cravings for salt, fat, and sugary sweets create a frenzy. PsycheGuides explains, “Foods full of fat and sugar can supercharge the brain’s reward system similarly to the way addictive drugs do.”
However, because the American population is strung out together, not many have broken free from the addiction. Sadly, many don’t realize what’s even happening to them.
3. Relationships
Love addiction is real, and far too many are suffering from the inability to remain single for any duration of time. They jump from one relationship to the next, desperately seeking attention, love, and validation of love. However, it’s unhealthy and prohibits the possibility of truly knowing oneself through reflection and growth.
4. Sugar
Sugar is one of the most commonly accepted addictions that does the most damage., Between weight gain, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you would think more people would take it seriously.
When you quit or drastically reduce sugar, your body will experience withdrawal, including fatigue, irritability, headaches, nausea, depressed mood, and changes in sleep patterns.
5. Shopping
Shopping addiction is so common and undermined it’s been memed up all over the internet and dismissed as a personality quirk. However, some people go into massive amounts of debt, indulging their need to chase the dopamine hits purchasing something temporarily provides them.
6. Caffeine
From coffee to soda and tea to energy drinks, caffeine is another substance that has become so normalized we even give it to our kids. Still, the reality is that caffeine is a real addiction, and many people dismiss it as tame.
Some people consume enough caffeine that they suffer from issues, including anxiety, racing or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, shakiness, headache, and high blood pressure.
7. Gambling
Gambling has become an addiction that thousands of indulge in. You don’t have to go bankrupt or sit on a slot machine all day to participate in it. You practically carry casinos in your pocket. And now sports betting has taken over. Sports Betting is so prevalent, and now that the leagues and teams are making money from it, it will only grow. It is incredibly normalized.
The National Council on Problem Gambling reports: “About 85% of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lives, with 60% having gambled within the past year. Some form of legalized gambling is available in 48 states plus the District of Columbia. The two states without legalized gambling are Hawaii and Utah.”
8. Alcohol
Alcohol is likely the most abused substance on the planet, and because everyone’s doing it, nobody has a problem. I’m being facetious, of course. There is an entire blackout culture around consuming too much alcohol. Let’s not forget the wine, whiskey, beer, and scotch cultures that make drinking alcohol part of their identity.
9. Adult Entertainment
Watching adult entertainment is mainstream, and it’s a spiritually damaging practice that shouldn’t be dismissed as normal. Have you ever watched any? It’s not normal. They may be trying to normalize things, but those things are perverse and not reality.
Did you know that studies using fMRI have shown brain patterns consistent with other addictions? It’s a significant problem that affects a large portion of the population, but no one treats it like it’s a big deal.
10. Watching TV
Watching TV is addictive because it triggers the release of a brain chemical called dopamine and makes you feel happy temporarily. Nonethless, television addicts frequently end up feeling worse after spending long hours watching TV, yet they feel powerless to stop the addictive behavior. No one cares because everyone is doing it.
11. Gaming
Video and computer gaming addiction is often dismissed as “Just playing games.” But the reality is a significant portion of the population wastes hours of their lives addicted to these games that provide small dopamine boosts when playing.
12. Cannabis
A growing number of cannabis consumers are developing daily habits, and for some, that can evolve into a real problem. I dislike how people dismiss it as not addictive. It is for some. While I agree it should be legalized and is medicinal, it’s idiotic to suggest someone who smokes weed all day every day isn’t battling with a substance use disorder.
No one takes medicine that much. It’s an excuse at that point and justified because so many people dismiss it as not serious. But it is for the person battling it.
13. Afrin
Afrin can mess your nose up. The active ingredient Oxymetazoline is one I avoid at all costs. It causes a rebound effect with prolonged use, and you’ll keep getting congested if you don’t use it. The packaging suggests not to use it for more than three days in a row. It’s a vicious circle, and a lot of people are addicted to using it.
14. Work
I’m guilty of indulging in this addiction during different times in my life. It’s really easy for me to hyperfocus on things I enjoy, and hours fly by quickly. However, there needs to be a healthy work-life balance.
15. News
The number of people who are addicted to the news is alarming. It’s never positive. Therefore, you are consuming negative energy every time you turn it on. What do you suppose that does to you? What you put in you — will come out of you. You turn into an angry, bitter, biased bot.
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Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.