The New Intimacy

5 things you do every day that are actually addictions

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Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
"Addiction is a funny thing in our culture -- people who are actually addicted to a substance actively deny it ("I just like to smoke!"), while other people claim addiction for every random thing they happen to enjoy ("I'm addicted to these delicious candy bars!").

But as science gets a better understanding of how addiction works in the brain, suddenly a whole lot of our everyday habits make more sense."


This article, like most articles on Cracked, is obviously not meant to be taken as gospel. However, there are some things on this particular list that I don't think I'll be arguing with. Can anybody else think of things that should be on here? Would you take anything off the list?
09/15/2011
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Contributor: Kkay Kkay
I laughed over the spicy food one. As a masochist who has loves it hot, hot, and hotter, I couldn't agree more with being addicted to pain.
09/15/2011
Contributor: PiratePrincess PiratePrincess
That's pretty funny. In high school I was addicted to chapstick. I had about 4 on me at all times.
09/15/2011
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
My mom's definitely an ice chewer - it's the only way she gets fluids now. And it's certainly because of her iron deficiency.

They forgot to mention sugar addiction ... it's FAR WORSE than the tanning and salt addictions.
09/15/2011
Contributor: GravyCakes GravyCakes
i've been addicted to chapstick for a while. i could also believe that i'm addicted to salty foods. i prefer salty foods over sweet. but i know i'm not addicted to tanning. i can't stand tanning, i don't have the patience to just lay there.
09/15/2011
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
Those aren't addictions I have.
For me it's washing my hands.
09/15/2011
Contributor: Peggi Peggi
I'll admit to the chapstick addiction, but the only other addiction I have is caffeine, which I was born with. I'll occasionally smoke a cig (and by occasionally, I mean one pack every several months) and I'll eat sweet or salty foods on occasion, but don't crave them or eat them regularly. And working in dermatology I fear the sun. All in all, I suppose that's good?
09/15/2011
Contributor: mizzmilla mizzmilla
They actually have a chap stick anonymous website. It's crazy. But chewing ice is definitely an addiction for me.
09/15/2011
Contributor: Illumin8 Illumin8
Quote:
Originally posted by Shellz31
Those aren't addictions I have.
For me it's washing my hands.
I can totally relate.
09/15/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
I crack my knuckles, and that seems like a kind of addiction. I don't even realize I'm doing it, and I'd be hard pressed to stop in the middle and not finish.
09/16/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
I crack my knuckles, and that seems like a kind of addiction. I don't even realize I'm doing it, and I'd be hard pressed to stop in the middle and not finish.
I have the same problem. I was actually standing in my chiropractor's office waiting for her to come back in and started my routine, and she came in halfway through and I expected her to like, scold me for it or something lol.
09/16/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
I do have some of those. Chewing ice, as ling as it does not bother my teeth that day! Listening to music, that is for sure an addiction, my band of choice The Doors. I end up lost in my own little world! Lip balm is one also for me. LOL interesting article.
09/16/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Totally going to admit I'm a capsaicin addict. Oh man, give me scotch bonnets. I prefer bird's eye chilies to chocolates.

Chewing ice, though? That would hurt! Very interesting article.

I'd imagine that reality tv shows fall under the same sort of thing as pop music, that people get dopamine hits from predicting what's going to happen next, and then being right.
09/16/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Oh, I believe the music thing. When I was younger I had to listen to music almost constantly. It made me feel good. I've broken the addiction, except for using my iPod attached to my car radio, in recent years, mainly due to having kids and not having the time. I remember actually feeling like I was having withdrawal symptoms when I would be on vacation with my parents, as a young teen and not able to listen to my favorite music. No, Dad and Mom weren't big fans of Led Zep or the Beatles, not to mention the Sex Pistols and the Clash.

People who like spicy food like pain, huh? I'll have to tell that to a certain Dom I know who claims he doesn't like pain (unless he's dishing it out) but craves "burn your face off" salsa and puts pepper and hot sauce on everything. That Rooster hot sauce, the Asian killer kind.
09/16/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
the tanning thing i knew about (and kind of experience), and the salty food thing sounds sure too. but the others, meh, don't do much for me.
09/16/2011
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
I am a total lip balm addict. I know I am. But my addiction is not during the day so much (if they get a little dry, sure I have some in my purse but it is rare that I do that), it is at night. I cannot sleep without my nightly dose of Blistex DCT. The little pink pot.

BUT! I call bull shit on the lick your lips more part. For me at least, I HATE licking my lips when there is lip balm on them. Makes my tongue feel all greasy. Blech
09/16/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
Oh, I believe the music thing. When I was younger I had to listen to music almost constantly. It made me feel good. I've broken the addiction, except for using my iPod attached to my car radio, in recent years, mainly due to having kids and not ... more
And to me, sriracha's not even hot anymore

I can only hope that horticulturalists keep breeding spicier peppers before I run out of tastebuds altogether.
09/16/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
And to me, sriracha's not even hot anymore

I can only hope that horticulturalists keep breeding spicier peppers before I run out of tastebuds altogether.
Heheheheheee. That's what I was talking about. My Man and my middle daughter live on the stuff.

I'm not a fan of hot stuff, unless it's the green stuff you put on sushi.
09/16/2011
Contributor: GenderSexplorations GenderSexplorations
Pop music lights up the brain's pleasure center? Weird!

Chewing on ice is definitely one for me though. I can't help it! I catch myself and try to stop, but then I wind up doing it again.
09/16/2011