We Have More Addictions Than We Realize

Addictions are habits or behaviors that control us. Some are good, some are harmful, some are just limiting. Some we don’t even realize.

Addictions seem to serve us. We adopt them because they seem to serve our purpose, give us comfort, security, identity, escape, or grounding. I am not a doctor or psychologist but I do observe and recognize my experiences.

The harmful addictions like drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, and anger can get a hold on our lives that we don’t realize and have trouble breaking. It is common that most alcoholics will not admit they are addicted and think they can stop at any time.

There are less harmful addictions that also get a hold of our lives that can be broken by substituting something else.  I would say the world is addicted to their cell phones. People will say it is important they stay in touch as they check Face Book while riding their bikes or driving their cars, but this is a serious addiction.

Many of us have an addiction to our computers or the internet; so much information, news, and excitement at the touch of a button. I get news, communicate, watch movies, and listen to music.  Where would we be without our cell phones and internet connections? The looney bins would fill up with twitching people.

I was addicted to watching CNN at 5 p.m. and as many football games as networks could broadcast for both college and pro. I realized TV was an addiction I could break and free up at least ten hours a week. In its place I feel more comfort and control and enjoy more reading.

I realized I didn’t have to carry my cell phone and my world would work just fine. I was addicted to an American diet with certain foods that maintained my heavy weight even though I worked out several times a week. I started taking the most harmful foods off my plate and putting healthy foods on and lost 45 pounds.

When I moved to the beach I was addicted to visiting Dairy Queen several times a week for a soft cone dipped in chocolate. I substituted Snicker bars, then granola bars and I was finally broken of the addiction.

I am addicted to surfing like some of my neighbors and there is a compelling need to get wet every day. When the surf is not up surfers get down. I get addicted to the feeling of exercise and I can run myself to over train and then I experience lethargy and exhaustion.

I am addicted to reading, but it seems to be a good thing. I love to learn and reading takes up hours that I might otherwise use to contemplate my navel, but I don’t feel up to the guru thing yet. I am addicted to writing in the mornings, but I don’t see the harm. I do see how it grounds me.

Realizing, analyzing, and contemplating our habits and behaviors might lead us to life saving new habits, life freeing new habits, and more enlightened new habits. Addictions can keep us in ruts and make life boring. The best way to add some zest is to take something off the plate. Something big might lead to a whole new attitude.

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Soon I will have a new website that will discuss our addictive habits and suggest cures or habit breaking alternatives to give us more freedom. Some habits require a stronger will than others to break but they all create a type of freedom and life change. It is part of my Mission of Creating Life Changing Ideas.

Kaalm Media Group  760-696-7149  Mark@KaalmMediaGroup.com  Oceanside, CA