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Addictions

(62 Posts)
thatbags Sun 05-Feb-17 09:50:09

Are all addictions bad? They seem to be talked about as if they were. Or is it just that things are called addictions which aren't? A liking and enjoyment of eating cheese, for instance.

I eat cheese. I'm not addicted to it—spent a year in Thailand not eating it and never missing it.

I love my nutty flapjacks and eat them every day when they are available. Haven't eaten one for three days now because I haven't got round to making another batch after finishing the last lot. I'm not suffering flapjack cold turkey.

I think I'll make a batch now, if only to avoid doing some other jobs ?

NanKate Thu 09-Feb-17 17:41:21

I have a strong liking for:

Oatcakes the rough variety.
Vick inhaler
Mint and tea tree shower gel
Mint toffees which I do not allow myself to eat
Meringues which I avoid because of the sugar content

I could go on but I won't grin

TriciaF Thu 09-Feb-17 16:16:53

Marnie - Before managing to give up completely, after pneumonia, I had made myself a rule only to smoke outside. After an aunt had died from lung cancer ( she was a heavy smoker.)
I found that wasn't too difficult and might help with your new grandchild.

Iam64 Thu 09-Feb-17 14:18:18

Good luck with it Marnie. Babies are a real push when it comes to stopping smoking. Have you seen your GP for help in stopping smoking? You'll feel a lot better as well.

Marnie Thu 09-Feb-17 13:59:45

Addiction to smoking is awful as it does not affect the mind. I gave alcohol up fifteen years ago as it was affecting my life. Nye guidelines are keep baby away from smoking. New baby arrived last week and will only see him on film. Have tried to stop and starting again next week. Haven't seen older gc for over year. Can see a gd as her dad smokes. As long as not around children which is obvious in this day and age. Got to stop to see gc. Hope Inc an manage it.

TriciaF Wed 08-Feb-17 16:08:06

Another aspect of addiction is the gradually increasing amount a person needs to be 'satisfied'. I sometimes took a piriton tablet when I couldn't sleep, now increased to 2. I looked on Google and and it can get to real illness from overdosing.
I don't know if that applies to foods though.

M0nica Wed 08-Feb-17 08:07:58

notanan I think you are making a very important point. I have heard the 'addicted to chocolate/cheese/coffee' argument put forward when discussing true addictions like alcohol, smoking or gambling but, as you say, putting cheese/chocolate/coffee in sentences discussing the dreadful life effects of true addictions shows the spurious nature of these comparisons.

notanan Tue 07-Feb-17 20:40:28

No I think it's actually helpful to replace "alcohol" with "cheese".. because there is a certain level of socially acceptable alcoholism which goes under the radar unless you insert something else to "test" if it's an addiction, and then you really see the behaviours for what it is

Of course you can be addicted to anything, I would say casually that I'm addicted to chocolate. However I'm actually not, I've never spent the rent money on chocolate, I've never missed half of the kids school plays because I'm "sugar hungover" from the night before. I HAVE sneaked out of a wedding to buy chocolate.. but admittedly we'ld been there since 10.45 and not fed until 8pm!! I don't routinely sneak away from family dos to have chocolate..

Christinefrance Tue 07-Feb-17 20:30:33

Yes notanan it's another of those occasions when medical terms are bandied about without understanding how difficult it is for people with those conditions. Sorry if I contributed to that.

notanan Tue 07-Feb-17 17:40:41

You're addicted to cheese if your relationships are suffering from it, if you're itching to leaeve family events to get some cheese, if you try to force others to eat cheese with you so that your cheese eating looks "social", if you're calling in sick to work/hobbies so that you can eat cheese instead…...

Christinefrance Tue 07-Feb-17 14:44:38

Me too HootyMcowlface, I try to have at least one day per week without chocolate but it's a struggle. I only eat the plain stuff but as the post mistress in Larkrise said "it's my only weakness " smile
Why is there no emoticon for chocolate ?

HootyMcOwlface Tue 07-Feb-17 11:57:09

I think I am addicted to chocolate. I can't stop myself buying and eating it (even though I tell myself I won't get any more). I don't drink or smoke, and it cheers me up as I feel a bit miserable most of the time so what the heck!

Yorkshiregel Tue 07-Feb-17 09:01:01

I think I could become addicted to Pierce Brosnan!

Yorkshiregel Tue 07-Feb-17 08:59:25

Ooooo! Close your eyes when you read on:

I just remembered something else some get addicted to. I am sure you cannot call it a habit! SEX!

Yorkshiregel Tue 07-Feb-17 08:56:09

Anya, well that explains it then! :-) Clear as mud as they say.

Anya Mon 06-Feb-17 21:29:34

Good name ramblingrose !!!!

Anya Mon 06-Feb-17 21:28:50

I'm sure some people just post in order to hear the sound of their own voice just put something in writing, without reading previous posts. Weird hmm

Ramblingrose22 Mon 06-Feb-17 18:34:09

I am addicted to Marmite, tea and staying up later than I should. I could easily become addicted to chocolate too, but I ration myself.

The Marmite probably makes the tea addiction worse as it makes me more thirsty. But I don't think these "substances" are harmful unless I consumed them to the exclusion of everything else - which I don't.

Staying up late makes me less productive the following day, which is annoying and makes me stressed.

The word "addiction" sounds harmful because it suggests uncontrollable behaviour that leads to or is a potential cause of excess.

I suppose it all depends on whether the addiction harms the person concerned and others they come into contact with.

sue1169 Mon 06-Feb-17 18:28:27

.. You are so right Ana and you just described me!........?

Jalima Mon 06-Feb-17 18:25:27

Is there such a thing as GN addiction?

Jaycee5 Mon 06-Feb-17 18:15:32

My internet went off today. I still had my phone but I felt very tetchy. I am definitely addicted to my lap top.

Jalima Mon 06-Feb-17 18:03:34

Sorry - It hasn't happened yet!!!

Jalima Mon 06-Feb-17 18:03:07

Did you know that you can become addicted to exercise because of the adrenalin rush?
It has happened yet Yg .....

Ana Mon 06-Feb-17 18:03:07

I agree - I was addicted to nicotine for over 45 years, and although I didn't wake up to have a fag in the middle of the night, I was certainly desperate for one first thing in the morning!

That's not just a habit...

sue1169 Mon 06-Feb-17 17:59:50

....only someone who is or has been addicted.....can understand an addiction!!....

Ana Mon 06-Feb-17 16:42:12

Do other addicts wake up throughout the night to drink alcohol/eat/gamble/have a fix? confused