27 Addictions That Have Been Normalized So Much That They Aren’t Considered Harmful

People can have an addiction to many things but, alas, not to everything. For example, some like to say that we are addicted to water and that thirst is the withdrawal symptom of it. The same goes for oxygen, food, and similar things. 

However, none of that is really true. We can’t really call something an addiction or dependence if it is what our bodies and brains function on and couldn’t survive without. So, what does the word "addiction" really mean?

According to Meara Withe of Medical News Today, addiction is a chronic health condition in which a person struggles to stop substance use or can’t cease engaging in a benefit-providing behavior. It causes cravings and compulsive behavior and develops changes in the brain.

On the other hand, there is another similar thing known as dependency. It occurs when the person’s body adapts to a substance’s presence and exhibits withdrawal symptoms once the usage is reduced or ends too abruptly.

Some things can cause one or both of these issues. However, they’re not the same, so having an addiction doesn’t necessarily mean that you also have a dependency, and vice versa. 

Unlike people suffering from addiction, those with a dependency may not find it difficult to control their behavior and could even feel indifferent towards the thing they’re using, but since their body has adapted to having that substance present, negative effects can be felt when it’s no longer found in the usual quantities. 

And yet, it’s not always about substances. For example, nowadays, a lot of people are addicted to comfort, which, according to Lisa Haisha of the Insurance Journal, means that a person stays in a situation that makes them unhappy and doesn’t attempt to make any change despite being fully aware of this. 

Quitting a bad habit is rarely easy, but it’s not impossible. If you feel like you’re ready to kick some addictions and improve your life, Elizabeth Hartney of Very Well Mind suggested a few things you could do.

Begin by preparing. Think about what your next steps will be and what you’ll need to achieve them. This could mean finding social support, eliminating triggers, or even setting up a certain date for when you’ll do it.

Next, talk to your doctor and consider medications. Some addictions can be really difficult to rid yourself of, and there is medicine that can make the process a whole lot easier.

You could also consider your environment. Avoid the aforementioned triggers that can bring out the cravings, which can include not only things in your home but also routes you usually take or even people you hang out with.

Moreover, find yourself some distractions. Keeping busy is the best way to distract yourself from seeking the things you shouldn’t. 

And lastly, don’t feel afraid or ashamed to get help. Involve your friends, family, or even medical professionals, who will walk by your side every step of the way, making the process a lot smoother and challenges a lot easier to beat.

In the end, catching a bad habit is easy. There are so many things around that always seem like great comfort or harmless fun until you realize it may not be so harmless after all. And perhaps there’s no point in trying to protect yourself from everything, as that would take a lot of good things from life, too. However, it pays to be aware of what you’re getting into, and posts like this Reddit thread are perfect for it.

What did you think about this article? What normalized addiction would you add to the list? Tell us all about it in the comments below!