I believe we as a society throw around the word "addiction" too much. We say "I'm totally addicted to twitter" or "He's addicted to his stupid video games and won't spend time with me!" But are we really, truly, addicted to these things? Will we seriously go through withdrawal without them? I think not. *
Most people, I'm sure, would say I was addicted to the internet. I use it first thing in the morning when I get up and it's often the last thing I do before bed. I spend more time on the internet every week than I do most other things combined. It is my entertainment and often my support group. I check my favorite websites from my Blackberry whenever I'm away from the computer and have a few moments to spare.
Yet I can say, with certainty, that I am not addicted to the internet.
And how is that, you ask? (And if you didn't, just play along) Because I spent a whole week without it and didn't even miss it. While on our cruise this past December I had no contact with the mainland world. No facebook, no email, no blogging, no youtube, nothing. And yet, I didn't even mind because I was enjoying myself so thoroughly with my husband on our vacation. I could have paid some outstanding fees to connect anyway if I wanted to, but I didn't. A true addict would have.
Some people really have addictions. My mother really is/was addicted to Coke (the soda XD). She has worked hard not to have a dependency on caffeine. I believe that by throwing around the word addiction like we do we are undermining the significance of real addictions.
*I suppose it is possible to be addicted to twitter or video games, but I am willing to bet that a true addiction to those things is rare. Don't take that as an absolute statement though, just in case. =)
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Tia Peterson · 741 weeks ago
I agree that we use the word "addicted" in the wrong ways, just like we use the word "starving" when we are not even close to starving.
I think the hard part about addictions that are not chemical (drugs, alcohol, etc.) is that we aren't usually willing to go without it long enough to notice any withdrawal symptoms. I KNOW that a few people in my circle are addicted to the social connection that comes with some things like Facebook. They show signs of withdrawal symptoms, such as irritation without it, talking about it incessantly, or using it at great expense - such as buying devices they cannot afford just to have it with them at all times.
I, too, can go for long periods without the Internet. If it weren't for the fact that I use it for work, I would go without it my whole weekend!
Thanks for your post! It's a good one.