Addiction
I am living in the parallel universe of a 972-page novel. When I'm not reading it, I'm thinking about it or plotting a way to get back to it. I'm even writing about it now! I'm not wholly consumed; that would be an addiction, but I am running distracted by it.
Alcohol, drugs, sex, work, exercise, and on line gaming are common addictions. Books? Could a person really be addicted to reading? Could someone spend socially unacceptable amounts of time with her nose in a book? Lose a job, a marriage, her health over it? It's probably been done. Will I have to search out my local Overreaders Anonymous chapter?
How does an innocent distraction turn into an addiction? Casual drinking, eating, exercising, gaming, enjoyable sex, shopping, an interesting book become what you live for? Some say there is such a thing as an addictive personality; People with "type A" personalities, the hard driven, focused, controlling types, more easily succumb to addictions. That's not me. Addictions have roots in genetics. There is an inherited tendency to allow a stress-relieving activity run away with you. My grandpa was an alcoholic (sober the last 40 years of his life). Addictions can also be socially learned: The 'ol "if it feels good, do it" mantra on hyper drive.
To discern an addiction I must ask myself if I'm reading to relieve anxiety. No, I'm not. Am I reading to block uncomfortable feelings? Nope. Is it a form of escapism? Yes. Am I being secretive about it? No. Am I experiencing mood swings? Maybe just a little. Am I neglecting other areas of life? What?! Like, the laundry and cleaning the toilets? I do that anyway, whether into a good book or not.
So you see, I can quit any time. Really.
Alcohol, drugs, sex, work, exercise, and on line gaming are common addictions. Books? Could a person really be addicted to reading? Could someone spend socially unacceptable amounts of time with her nose in a book? Lose a job, a marriage, her health over it? It's probably been done. Will I have to search out my local Overreaders Anonymous chapter?
How does an innocent distraction turn into an addiction? Casual drinking, eating, exercising, gaming, enjoyable sex, shopping, an interesting book become what you live for? Some say there is such a thing as an addictive personality; People with "type A" personalities, the hard driven, focused, controlling types, more easily succumb to addictions. That's not me. Addictions have roots in genetics. There is an inherited tendency to allow a stress-relieving activity run away with you. My grandpa was an alcoholic (sober the last 40 years of his life). Addictions can also be socially learned: The 'ol "if it feels good, do it" mantra on hyper drive.
To discern an addiction I must ask myself if I'm reading to relieve anxiety. No, I'm not. Am I reading to block uncomfortable feelings? Nope. Is it a form of escapism? Yes. Am I being secretive about it? No. Am I experiencing mood swings? Maybe just a little. Am I neglecting other areas of life? What?! Like, the laundry and cleaning the toilets? I do that anyway, whether into a good book or not.
So you see, I can quit any time. Really.
Hi Shelli,
I too get addicted to books. And, they are the good ones! A really good book draws me to it again and again until I finish it. I too neglect housework when I consciously choose reading over doing. But, there are worse things to be addicted to, aren't there?
What is the book?? Maybe I want to read it too!
Hope all is good with you and your family,
Peggy
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