Addictions

Addiction: has been defined as physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances; can also be viewed as a continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the negative consequences associated with it. Pleasure and enjoyment would have originally been sought; however, over a period of time involvement with the substance or activity is needed to feel normal.[1] Psychologic professionals now mean 'addiction' to include abnormal psychological dependency on such things as gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, internet, work, exercise, idolizing, watching TV or certain types of non-pornographic videos, spiritual obsession, self-injury and shopping.


Lately I have been thinking quite a bit about the word "addiction". In our world it has such a terrible connotation.  When people hear the word, they instantly shrink back & picture someone smoking a cigarette or any other variety of "taboo" things that we were taught as childrent to avoid.
It's been a topic that I keep hearing about church firesides & other events, and whenever they discuss it I never really think it applies that much to me.
But then the other day my friend challenged me. He made a bet with me that I wouldn't be able to resist my "addiction" to simply check facebook for 4 whole days. If I go without facebook for 4 days, he will go without drinking mountain dew for a week. Whoever breaks first...loses. And owes the other person a smoothie (better yet, a pizza factory smoothie, which= heavenly goodness.)
I hate to admit this, but it has been harder than I imagined. Whether that's due to the fact that I'm not "allowed" to check facebook or that I have an addiction I'd rather not say. I'd like to think it's a mix of both.

Regardless, the whole challenge has put me into my thinking mood. It's interesting that something I do for a small period of time every day...has become such a habit. And that habit has almost become an addiction.
More interesting to think about is that I thought I had complete control over my said "habit", but when challenged to go without it- it has been somewhat of struggle. And I didn't even REALIZE it.

I'm not saying anything about the dangers of facebook. But, I do wonder how many people try to go a period of time without something that they are so used to having in their life. How many people let habits become addictions.  When you have an addiction- you are no longer in control. You relinquish your self control to something or someone else, usually without even realizing it in the process.

So I guess when I think about it- I really think all of us probably have an addiction of some sort. Possibly that we haven't even noticed. Granted,  some addictions are more detrimental than others. Yet in every addiction, self control is simply tossed into the wind & willingly given away.

The whole "facebook challenge" has given me a new perspective on addictions and I'd just like to say: "Hi, my name is Christina Clark & I had a problem with checking facebook. I've been clean for 4 whole days."
And I am going to drink a delicious pizza factory smoothie this week. :)