Power of 23 Series - Day 14

 # PowerOf23# Day 14- 23 Addictions Which Are Difficult To Quit

Every addiction has the purpose of getting a person out of a miserable state of mind and making them feel normal. Addiction is a compulsive behaviour towards a substance or an activity that induces pleasure and enjoyment. It’s easy to confine addiction to just drugs and alcohol, but people also compulsively, obsessively engage in others activities which sooner or later results in addiction.

Let’s state down few addictions in our @PowerOf23 series which are difficult to quit easily:-

1.Love:

Surprisingly, Love is the topmost and the hardest addiction to quit. It’s the Number 1 reason for suicide, murder, depression, loneliness and hopelessness. We are all addicted to love in more or less proportion. We want it, seek it, crave it and have a hard time not thinking about it. We read about sacrifices people undergo for the one they love and yet the one for whom they do sacrifice their entire life, their careers, their money, their whole existence is “The One” who ends up betraying, destroying, breaking and ultimately leaving them. One sided love can be the most dangerous situation to be encountered. It’s more difficult when one is completed involved and the other one is least concerned. Eventually love result in addiction.

“Addiction begins with the hope that something ‘out there’ can instantly fill up the emptiness inside- JEAN KILBOURNE, Can't Buy My Love.”

Why a person is unable to walk away from such addictive one sided affection/relationship? The reason is unknown, complex typically the responses to such questions are “Because I need him. Because I love him. Because I can't live without him. Because I can’t be Me without him. Because My whole life I have just loved him. Because He is my first love. Because I can’t imagine my life without him.”

It's said “Life Goes on & Eventually, Everyone gets over “The One” some day in their life. “ True. Love is not love if it brings more tears than smile. Love is not love when you are breaking inside. Love is not Love if it destroys you rather than building you up. One should learn to walk away from such abusive relationships, those people who do not make them glow or grow.

2.Success:

How could success be an addiction ? Achievement addiction create fears, tension, stress and burnout when you are not successful or even when you perform satisfactorily. You keep high standards and constantly feel emotionally drained and burnt out. Relief is felt only when you are in prim of your glory. You realise the expectations you have for yourself are way higher than average. You measure your self-worth only through your work achievements. Success become a drug to you and you need your constant doses of success otherwise you have a sinking, tense feeling deep within. You are at the height of your career yet you are unhappy. If you ever experience some or all of this, you have success addiction and you need to relook at balancing out your life between professional and personal world.

3.Fear of Missing Out (FOMO):

Fear of Missing out or FOMO as it is called means a state of imagination wherein one begins to think that others are having an exceptional great experience which you are missing out. The desire to stay connected with what one's peers are doing, to constantly be on “Top of all Things is what FOMO is.

This addiction could be overcome by understanding that how much ever you are on top of everything be it work, latest updates in your respective work field, knowledgeable with all theoretical as well as practical matters, being constantly connected with stakeholders, being duly updated of each important event, there still will be something that you could and would tend to miss out. It’s ok to step back, relax, savour the moment & value relationships over material things. It’s ok not to know all of it immediately. Believe in the magic of Gratitude to appreciate what you have right now.

4.Stress:

Is stress an addiction? Well, yes if you suffer success addiction and FOMO addiction, chances are you would suffer from Stress addiction additionally as not doing any work related activity or productive activity could make you stressed. Being relaxed could also lead to stress.

Relaxing is completely subjective and so long as it’s not causing any harm it’s ok. Whether it’s television, mobile games, eating chocolate and as you decide it’s not a waste of time and a necessity to relax from a long tiring day, stress levels will subside.

If you start feeling restless during your relaxation time, simply remind yourself that being unproductive is just another task to check off your task list.

5.Power:

A powerful quote by Lord Acton "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!" How does one recognise power addiction ?

Do you like telling people always what is required to be done? Do you micro manage? Do you define your worth by your designation, Cost to Company (CTC) and your status, special privileges as well as the VIP treatment in an organisation ? Do you need to always win at all cost? Does making people run errands at your beck and call is your work style? Does your team have to blindly say YES to all your instructions ? If you answered YES to Three and More of above statements, it is likely that you have an addiction of POWER !!!

Many organisations concentrate power at the top, fostering power addiction. Such desire for power over others is often a weakness disguised as strength. It could also strive from the fact that such strong personalities had a submissive past and would now are in a position wherein they could dictate their terms.

An employee friendly organisation not only policy wise but practice wise too is the best solution for curbing power addiction. Such organisations wherein people can speak their mind, helps keep the people in power tied to reality. The best reality check for power addicts is to realise that this power and fame is because of the office one holds, temporary and it could be easily lost.

6.Risky Behavior Addiction:

Thrill seekers get a push, a high of life from activities which could be life threatening. Activities like skydiving or rock climbing could be adventurous, but after a while, thrill seekers engage in activities which are even more dangerous just for exciting the brain.

A detailed read of your Life insurance Policy would control one’s addiction to thrills as most of the insurance plan would fail to cover such life threatening excitements.

7. Coffee:

Coffee is an addictive substance. Research indicates that drinking too much caffeine can cause restlessness, anxiety, muscle tremors, insomnia and irritability.

The safe zone is not more than 5 cups a day.

8. Salary:

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary! -Nassim Nicholas Taleb”

Everytime you get paid you experience a high, you feel a similar satisfaction to that of a drug fix. And salary is a monthly component, certain, keeps your warm, pays your bills, however it also limits the entrepreneurial skillset you have and are unwilling to risk due to the comfort which salary offers.

9.Binge Eating Disorder:

Binging results from emotional and psychological issues in life and food appears to be harmless and abundant it becomes the focus for abuse. Food can offer comfort, escape and the satisfaction of compulsions or cravings for feelings that arise in daily life.

Food Addiction is a problem that affects about 3 percent of adults in the United States. Symptoms of such addition include eating to ease emotions, overdoing it on food while alone, and feeling guilty after the binge.

The way to overcome it is timely meals, small meals and regular meals.

10.Mobile Game Addiction:

Mobile game is common addiction in boys and men — and one study even found that as many as players between the ages of 8 and 18 are addicted gamers. The psychological part of gaming addiction creates the idea that “I can escape and feel good about my life”.

The Addiction to mobile games could be overcome by engaging a hobby beyond the internet world.

11.Social Media Addiction:

We're living in a digital world — but is it possible to be too plugged in?

This addiction makes one loss of control, as well as negative consequences at work and at home.

12.Shopping:

It's yet another behaviour that, when it spins out of control, is considered to be an impulse control disorder. Do you purchase items to avoid feeling sad — but then feel guilty afterwards? Do you have a closet full of clothes that still have the price tags on them? Then You are a shopaholic.

13.Gambling Addiction:

Of all behavioural addictions, an addiction to gambling is the one that most closely resembles alcohol. Compulsive gamblers tend to remember the highs of the wins and block out all the times they lose. The excitement of the next win distorts reality and the level of risk they are taking with their money and possessions.

The psychological part of gaming addiction creates feeling that “I can escape and feel good about my life”.

14.Smoking:

Nicotine is an ingredient found in cigarettes, known to be highly addictive. If you’re addicted to smoking, you’ll find it difficult to quit – even if you want to.

The World Heath Organisation reported that smoking contributes to almost 80% of the cases of respiratory diseases and 22% of cardiovascular disease.

15. Alcohol:

Alcohol addiction accounts for most cases of substance dependence. People mostly abuse alcohol and become addicted to it because they see it as a means to escape their worries. Addiction to alcohol is mostly reinforced by withdrawal.

The safe zone is spreading your alcohol to weekly drinking or just like social drinking - just one drink at a time.

16. Music:

Music can be a great way to heal but constantly listening to music, unless it’s your profession, it could be a way to escape from the real life, an addiction inculcated to live in a make believe world away from reality.

However there is no conclusive research which proves that music addiction is harmful.

17. Work:

While hard work is seen as a virtue to most people, workaholism is a serious mental health condition. Overworking tends to have serious impact on relationships and health yet addicts are unable to stop working, justifying it as the necessary and the responsible thing to do. In addition, success from working, gaining fame and money become linked to their status and self-esteem

A sensible work-life balance is needed to lead a consistent and happy life.

18. Watching Excessive Television/ Netflix/ Amazon Prime:

Have you also thought of watching the entire season of your favourite sitcom once at a stretch? If not, good. Sitting for long stretches of time is linked to an increased risk of various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, etc.

It has been shown that such addiction can have a serious negative impact on a person’s confidence and life as watching tv is just an escapism from dealing with real life tensions.

19. Chocolate :

Everyone has a craving for chocolates, ever since childhood, we all have developed a love for chocolates. Eating chocolate activates the neurotransmitters that sends pleasure messages to the brain. The brain considers it like a reward and keeps wanting more. We continuously celebrate or make excuses to eat chocolate. When after 10 chocolates you still have a craving for more chocolates and keep eating it’s an addiction. Chocolate addicts experiences withdrawal symptoms if they don’t eat chocolates for days.

20. Fitness:

Yes, fitness addiction happens. Exercise addiction is engaging in an activity—lifting, running, training for a triathlon—that starts off pleasurable, then shifts to become compulsive and interferes with normal life.

21. Money:

It’s true how much ever affluent you are you always think money is scarce. The truth is, money addiction is at the root of overworking, compulsive shopping and spending, and even excessive saving. Money addictions in all forms can ruin marriages, pollute careers, limit creativity, trigger depression, and tarnish integrity and self-confidence. It can seriously drain the quality and happiness of your life.

22.Socialising:

The need for belonging is an essential need for all human beings. If we lived in isolation we may end up feeling depressed. The constant need to be with people, appreciated by people, spending a lot to be connected with people all this in excess could lead to socialising addiction.

23.Materialistic Addictions :

When you have shoes, clothes, watches, perfumes, blazers, sarees, ties to last for more than a year, you know you have developed an ECD - Excessive Compulsory Disorder and in simple terms "Addiction"

Hoarding these materialistic things in excess could be a behavioural warning, a sign to splurge, a sign of weakness, false pride and an addiction.

To conclude today’s write up with the following quote:

“An intelligent person can rationalize anything, a wise person doesn't try- Jen Knox, The Glass City!”

Instead of rationalising are you addicted? Is it positive or negative? Is it addiction in first place? It’s for you to introspect on the finer aspects of your own life, as said by William Shakespeare “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. —- William Shakespeare, Hamlet.”

No one but you, you can decide for yourself, whether a thought, a thing, a person, a self belief or a way of life is Right or Wrong! I rest my case.

(C) Prachee Kamat @Powerof23 @PowerOfPositivity @BeliefOfAWoman @BeingAStrongWoman @BeingHappy @LifeIsGood