Addictions...

[one gone dog 0]

addiction vs obsession,

a very fine line when it comes to the effects either has on the brain.

the differance one is done for pleasure, the other tends to be a uncontrollable urge wether you get pleasure or not.

Let me use this as an example,

"I'm addicted to a spotless house, i love to pick it up in the morning ,during the day and at bed time."

My Mother in law is obsessed with a spotless house. "she has to clean all day, she thinks about cleaning it all day(even when she is shopping), she truelly is obsessed with keeping her house spotless".

the difference is i enjoy it, she doesnt.

my recomendation if a person is obsessed with food they should seek the advice of a counsler.

[Kelliebelly 13]

Hey Donali,

Pokies are poker machines. I went through a stage loving them big time...another thing that almost destroyed me.

[Jill_S 1]

I am a smoker. And I was, at one time, either obessed or addicted to an online role playing game. But I don't think I was ever addicted to food.

I don't drink often. Both of my grandfather's were alcoholics, and around age 25 it hit me that I could be, too, if I didn't watch myself. So two or three times a year now, I may have a couple drinks, but that's it.

[kimalicious 5]

To me the obsession and addiction is not actively thought. It just happens subconsiously for both of them and I wouldn't think any obsession or addiction would make me happy, yes, it makes me happy when I eat bad things, but just as soon as I'm done the realization of what I did hits me and the obsessive and addictive thoughts happen again. To me they go hand in hand I guess, and you can't have one without the other to some extremes. Any thoughts??

[donali 57]

Hmmmm... What IS the difference between habit, compulsion, fixation, passion, obsession, addiction??

ad·dic·tion Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance: a drug used in the treatment of heroin addiction; The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something

ob·ses·sion Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.

A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion

Hmmm - dictionary info very unhelpful... lol

Some links I found researching this (I haven't read them yet):

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050903/bob10.asp

http://www.presmark.com/htmlfile/habitvs.htm

http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/fo0102/01020060.htm

http://nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/Spotlight_Schneider.asp

http://www.vicesmagazine.com/darling.htm

More thoughts?!?! :confused:

[kimalicious 5]

Thanks Donali, the differences are slight, but to me the same thing in effect.

[DeLarla 22]

My name is Lisa, and I am an addict. food, booze, drugs, caffeine, gambling, spending. I don't do all those things every day, but I can't do anything in moderation. I can't take a pain pill, I need to take them for a week with tons of coffee to spin me out so I can clean my house. I can't just buy one shirt if they have 9 colors. I can't eat a small popcorn. Hell, I can't even rent 2 movies (must get 10 all at once.) I don't drink often because once I start there's no stopping me.

It's all or nothing with me.

[kimalicious 5]

The excuse I always use Lisa: If you're gonna do it, do it right!

[Dawn NH 0]

I have always thought that I was addicted to food. It was a choice in a way. I have many family members who are drug/alcohol addicts and I never wanted to be that. I watched my father who is a food addict and realized that there were behaviors that were wrong, but I could never stop myself from eating and being over weight.

I used to smoke and when after quitting I would often think if only I did not have to eat. I can avoid the things that I know are bad for me, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. but I have to eat. I don't have to eat cake, but I can just as easily over eat healthy food.

I do not think that everyone is like this, but I would guess there are more of us then we know about. Food addiction is not talked about as much as other addictions if at all.