Do You Have An Addiction?

[wdfavour]

I’ve been thinking about addictions lately.
I believe that addictions happen when there’s a need in the human soul for meaning and joy beyond what is offered in the material dimension. We don’t always understand the nature of this need, but it’s always there and shows up at unexpected moments in our lives.
This need has an interesting identity - it’s called eternity!
Because you are an ‘eternity’ being, there’s a space in your heart called eternity. This space can only be filled by the Creator of the universe - God.
Any time you sense this need, and you attempt to fill it with any thing or activity, that thing or activity rapidly translates into an addiction.

Any addiction is bad.
Addictions create neurosis.
Addictions set up the human soul for depression, and frustration.
Addictions cripple interpersonal relationships.
Addictions are destructive to health and peace of mind.
In fact, addictions are dangerous.

Do you have an addiction?
Do you have a recurring compulsion to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to your health, mental state or social life.

[Lauxa]

Yes I have an addiction, maybe several. For me, it is because of escapism, I think I am trying to escape being in my own head with my own thoughts. I think the solution is to improve the quality of my thoughts.

As I have been using negative affirmations to improve the quality of my thoughts, I notice that my addictions have less of a hold on me.

I think addictions are a symptom of wrong-thinking, but not the cause, and that focusing on breaking the addiction does not address the root of the problem but only causes a downward spiral of guilt and frustration.

[Liveformx64]

addictions are very much a symptom. As of right now, my biggest addiction is to procrastination. I know what needs done, I know I need to do it but I would rather troll around on Personal Development for Smart People - Steve Pavlina

[David365]

My recent blog post is called the Myth of the Addictive Personality - I point out that several celebrities explain away their addictions through this "addictive personality" route, which to me takes away responsibility for finding a solution.
I also suggest that low self esteem is perhaps a more rational explanation for addiction in some cases. Check the comments as not everyone agrees with me!!

[ar81]

There is a hazy limit between addiction and excessive enthusiasm.
I see addiction as a level of enthusiasm that starts to cause trouble.

[wolfgang]

If we weren't addicted to anything, we'd be dead. Addiction is what keeps you alive as a separate individual. The whole sense of self is an addiction. The ego is an addiction. Might as well just let it roll.

What cause problems is trying to deny the main addiction of having a self. And to let go of the self is scary since if you let go a lot, you die. So we build up intensity around the need to be a self. But maybe we can die without physical death. And that would be giving up on insisting you are a self that needs to have a different life situation that you already have. Once one gives that up, the self become transparent and there's no grand need that needs filling up with addictions. perhaps.