Identifying Addiction
Do you think you have an addiction? Are you unsure how to tell? Here are some questions you can ask to find an answer.
In order to rid yourself of an addiction, you must first realize what an addiction is. An addiction is simply an abundance of excess in your life which you feel is necessary. It is important to recognize that excess is usually harmful and balance is always more desirable.
The problem most people have; however, is not choosing balance over excess. Most people agree that balance is more desirable. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to determine what is excess and what is reasonable. The good news is, there are ways to test this.
How Much is Too Much?
Naturally, excess is a relative term. Too much of something entirely depends upon the activity as well as the person. There is often no clear distinction, but you can test whether something is done in excess by asking yourself the following questions:
1. Can I live without [blank]?
If you can answer yes to this question, then you are in good shape. However, if you are so attached to something that you feel you would not survive without it, you should try to find other sources of pleasure.
2. Is [blank] harmful to my health or well-being?
If you find that partaking in the same action too many times causes you pain or discomfort, this is generally a sign that you should hold back. With certain activities, like exercise and weight training, a small amount of pain is to be expected. After all, “no pain, no gain.” However, even in activities where some pain is normal, discomfort should be taken as a warning sign.
3. Is [blank] constantly on my mind?
If you find that you are always thinking about the same activity, it could be a bad sign. Anxiousness and anxiety can cause one to think excessively about a particular thing, and that is normal. The difference between anxiousness and excess is whether or not you are partaking in the activity. If you fantasize about something because you want to do it, that is normal anxiousness; however, if you fantasize about something that you do on a regular basis, you may be doing too much of it.
4. Does doing [blank] give me any pleasure?
A very good test of balance versus excess comes from the amount of pleasure you get from engaging in the activity. If you enjoy doing it, than that is a healthy sign. Although, if you no longer gain much pleasure doing the activity, and you simply do it because you feel obligated or pushed to do it, than it could be that you do it in excess.
Liked it
