Addictions: 'Activities and Routines'...

[amathus]

These types of activities are harder to recognize as being harmful because they involve behaviors that are socially acceptable. Society applauds the person who works hard, who is organized, who is physically fit. Therefore, it is easy to not recognize that the workaholic, the obsessive compulsive, the fitness fanatic are people who are hurting themselves.

There are many ritualistic or repetitive behaviors that can be used as painkillers. Almost any behavior, when used repeatedly, will cut us off from feelings and therefore become addictive. This is why we feel compelled to overwork, shop too much, exercise too hard and spend too much time watching television, playing video games, browsing the internet, reading, gambling, and the list goes on. The predictability and certainty of routines also act to temporarily reduce tension and anxiety. This is why we want to structure our lives with the same daily schedule, the same weekly diet, the same annual vacation.

Think about your daily life. What are the activities that you may be utilizing in a repetitive, ritualistic way? Could you be using compulsive activities and routines to avoid feeling?

(http://www.psychalive.org/)

[Foxjo]

Good Point QF!
i was addicted to work, lived, breathed and dreamt about it.
Now... not so much, realised it was killing me slowly.
Now.... addicted to MHF i suppose.
Yeah i do tend to eat the same things on the same day (tonight- friday is 'Parmo' night).
But these things make me happy?

[OobieMoobie]

I brush my teeth about 15 times a day, I just love brushing my teeth. Sometimes getting a new toothbrush can be the most exciting part of my week...

How sad am I?

[Foxjo]

I brush my teeth about 15 times a day, I just love brushing my teeth. Sometimes getting a new toothbrush can be the most exciting part of my week...

How sad am I?

I like brushing my teeth too- i like clean teeth!!

[Jayjangle]

Not sure how relevant this will turn out, but I always found myself never quite agreeing with the substitution methods they teach in addiction therapy programs. As you indicated, it is basically just transferring the addictive tendencies to another medium. In a way there isn't much hope in most people simply ending their addictive tendencies (it would take a lot of willpower and thinking, something most would find absolutely exhausting), but I wish treatment programs would leave this as it is and not try to sugar coat substitution as a 'solution' to addiction.

I confess to being one who isn't emotionally ready to handle a full-on behavior flip at this point. So, I choose less destructive behaviors like powering through TV series On Demand or constantly making sure my aquariums are in perfect shape and condition. I find it's easier this way to drink a beer and not worry about having five more in a night.