There is a very strong pattern associated with addictive personalities and mental health issues but alarmingly, in today's modern world you don't need to be struggling with your mental health to be addicted. You may not even realise your pattern of behaviour is caused by addiction to certain substances or experiences. It is considered the norm to drink alcohol at the end of the day when we are feeling stressed or worried or just want to relax, it becomes part of our evening routine and some may even feel that it is the only way we are able to cope or feel better.
That quick fix releases a euphoric high and numbs everything else that may be going on in our lives. It makes us feel good and that's why we go back again and again. The more we do it the more we crave and the harder the hit we need next time.
Same can be said for online shopping or gambling, sex drugs, food, social media and so many other entities. Before you know it something you have thought to be an innocent past time could be a dangerous addiction brought on by boredom, lack of excitement in life or low self esteem.
The problem with these habits is they only bring you a moments gratification, long term all they truly offer is misery.
Online personalities or friends we follow on social media can even feed that habit. YouTubers who are constantly buying tons of new clothes, make up or bits for their 'perfect' home breeds unrealistic life goals and greed. It can also reassure someone with an addictive spending habit that it is the 'norm'. Add to that friend who only ever post happy pictures when life is good it can be easy to forget that their life isn't great all the time or feel that yours needs approving.
Soaps, dramas and films glamorise drinking and drug use as coping mechanisms yet again setting an unrealistic example of modern life. These characters are all still healthy looking and slim and yet they drink far more than they're meant to. Add to that they can afford to drink every night of the week (where are their kids?!), their destructive drunken behaviour is usually overlooked, they never get hangovers and you get what I mean by unrealistic.
Of course there is nothing wrong with having some retail therapy, treating yourself to a big bar of chocolate, glass of wine or an online flutter. They are all legal, acceptable behaviours and in moderation can be fun and up-lifting.
Addiction is defined as:
''the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, like narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.''
If your habit, past time or 'go to' mood enhancer is causing you pain, financial issues, depression or worry, is affecting your relationships or has become a necessity rather than an enjoyable hobby then there is a chance that you could be addicted.
Not all is lost though, you do not have to suffer alone nor do you have to continue in this manner. If you would like confidential advice about yourself or a loved one then the links below will be of use. There is no reason why you can't break away from the self destructive habits and form new, positive ones that help enhance your mood and relieve stress in a healthy way such as exercise or reading.
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