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From Shopping To Sugar, 31 Of The Worst Kind Of Dependencies Folks Have Ever Seen
When you actually think about it, there are way too many things in the world that you can get obsessed with. It’s different for everyone, as for some it can be an illegal substance, while for others, it can be caffeine or just a plain sugar rush.
Many people are drawn to quite a few different things, and they shared all of them when a Reddit user asked about their non-substance dependencies. Some of them are quite common, while others are just outright bizarre. Piqued your interest, have we? Just scroll down and check them out for yourself!
More info: Reddit
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#1
I have a close friend of mine who was a video game addict during college. He would spend all his time up in his room just gaming from the time he woke up until he passed out in his gaming chair at like 3am.
He was failing college classes, skipping out on parties and hanging out with friends and it completely took over his life.
That is, until my friends and I sat him down and literally had an intervention with him about how we never see him anymore and he broke down and admitted he was completely addicted.
We came up with a system where he would turn his controllers over to us and we would let him have them only when he proved he turned his assignments in. Pretty soon, he was gaming less and less and ended up going to med school.
He’s now a doctor with a happy family and he still will bring up how thankful he is that he had friends that had his back instead of just letting him “do his hobby”
Video game addiction is real guys.
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#2
I always find food addiction to be the worst. As someone who’s dealing and dealt with addiction I can easily avoid alcohol or d***s, but you need food to survive. Anyone who overcomes food addiction is a badass, I would never have been able to moderate my drinking, it’s pretty amazing anyone can beat their addiction while having to actively learn to control it. .
#3
Animal hoarding, cats, Guinea pigs or dogs. Reproducing, never going to the vet, never cleaning after them.
We might think that since these are not illegal substances, they can't be that harmful. However, that's not the whole truth, as some can actually be damaging without people even realizing it. That's how tricky the human psyche is, isn't it? To get a deeper understanding of what motivates such a dependency, Bored Panda interviewed a counselor and psychology professor, Eden Lobo.
She believes that sometimes, there's a fine line between a hobby and dependency, as the former can quickly turn into the latter. She stated that a hobby is something folks do for fun, for instance, shopping. "But when the fun starts running the show, you can’t stop thinking about it. You do it even when it’s messing up your life, and you get cranky or restless if you can’t," she added.
#4
My aunty had a shopping addiction and it was bad, when she died it took months to sort out her things she had so much and she had been in severe debt for it.
Edit - wow, I never expected my little post there about my aunt to have so many up votes. I feel I need to add to the story about her.
Truly, everyone loved my auntie very much, she was a kind woman who made people laugh with her joy and happiness, she had a unique way of talking to you and making you feel warm inside. She had coloured blue/pink/red short, spiky hair, always had the coolest prints on like leopard blouses and her nails intricately painted. I always loved seeing her and sadly she died too young, only in her late 50s.
She very much was into QVC and she would also go into thrift stores in our local town coming home with bags of things. Good things, good quality things, but too much. No one needs 200+ handbags for instance.
I miss her everyday.
#5
Self harm.
I work with people who have severe mental health conditions, including addictions of every kind. I had one client who was bright and had a quick, biting sense of humor. I know we aren't supposed to have "favorites", but she absolutely was one of mine.
She also had zero ability to regulate her reactions to negative emotions/ feelings.
If something upset her, she would light herself on fire. She never wanted to. And it was the only thing that would alleviate her emotional agony.
Whenever she is hospitalized for this (which is often, and for months at a time) and therefore unable to have a lighter or matches, she will bash her head on a wall.
Not on a random spot on a wall, mind you. On a corner. Every time. To the point where she has a permanent deep scar on her forehead which breaks open every week. Plus brain damage from the constant concussions she is giving herself.
Rational her does not want to do this. She knows it's destroying her brain and devastating her family. Emotionally dysregulated her absolutely cannot stop herself.
#6
I have a friend whose paycheck is entirely lost to online blackjack hours after he gets it each week, it's a terrible existence.
Our expert also stressed that a lot of dependencies are basically our brains looking for a quick emotional snack. She further elaborated that they give us that “I belong” feeling from chatting or sharing, a little ego boost from likes and comments, and a nice escape hatch when life feels stressful or boring.
Games, online shopping, endless scrolling, they can all make us feel like we’re achieving something or connecting with others, even if we haven’t left the couch, she added.
"The tricky part is, these digital hits can feel just as satisfying (or more!) than real-life interactions, so our brains keep coming back for more. It’s comfort, connection, and confidence all rolled into one, just in a pixelated package that’s a little too easy to overuse," Prof. Lobo added.
#7
Plastic surgery addiction can be so sad to see
These people's dysmorphia is so bad that they can never be happy with their own appearance, and what's mad to me is how normalised it is among teenagers and twentysomethings. My mother gets her nails done from a 25-year-old guy who said he'd had 'preventative botox' to pre-empt wrinkles. And supposedly Jenna Ortega has had about seven procedures done and she's only 22.
#8
Had a neighbor that was in her 60s. She went to the casino fairly often during the week, but "limited" herself to only going to Vegas once a month. She only had two rules for her trips to Vegas.
Only bring cash.
Leave a $50 bill underneath a rock at the outskirts of Vegas for gas money to get her home.
#9
Hoarding, I've been traumatized by this house, the body of the woman lied for 2 months in the flat and only because we noticed the over filling mailbox we actually got worried about the woman. Her flat was always reeking therefore no one was thinking anything was weird. We helped the owner to clean out the flat and her life must have been miserable.
Fungus John 3 months ago
I used to do deliveries to a lady that hoarded. massive house on a huge plot of land in the countryside, but she had so much s**t that she basically lived in a little shed out the back.
"When we lean too hard on such 'habits', whether it’s gaming, shopping, gambling, binge-watching, or something else, it can slowly start messing with our heads in ways we don’t notice right away. You might feel more anxious for no clear reason, find it harder to focus, and suddenly, everyday stuff just doesn’t feel as rewarding."
"That little 'buzz' you used to get from hanging out with friends or finishing a project starts getting replaced by the quick hit from your go-to habit," Prof. Lobo narrated. She believes that on the emotional side, these patterns can make people a bit more moody or irritable, and before they know it, they’re relying on the behavior just to feel okay.
She further stressed that time spent on the habit starts eating away at time spent with real-life people or activities. "You might skip gatherings, drift away from close friends, or find yourself clashing with family over it. Over time, the thing that once felt like a fun escape can end up leaving you more isolated, stressed, and disconnected from the people and experiences that actually bring lasting joy," she added.
#10
I see 350-400 lb people every day here in the Midwest. It's become so normalized to eat way, way more food than you actually need.
Blue Bunny of Happiness 3 months ago
I may be wrong in my assumption that it applies to them all, but every super morbidly obese person I’ve known has an absolute shed load of trauma they control by eating.
#11
Mobile phone addiction.
#12
Sports betting. I watched a vp from another department at my old job lose his house, cars, wife and kids, because he couldn’t stop betting despite interventions. We are talking millions of dollars of debt.
We also conversed with Prof. Lobo about the early warning signs of such unhealthy obsessions. She stated that the signs are less about how much time you spend on something and more about how it’s starting to shape your life. As per her, one big red flag is loss of control: you tell yourself you’ll stop after 'just one more' episode, game, or purchase, but somehow hours disappear.
Another one that she spoke about is neglecting responsibilities: work, school, chores, or self-care start slipping because the habit keeps taking priority.
"There's also emotional dependency: you turn to the habit every time you’re stressed, bored, or upset. You might feel restless or irritable when you can’t do it, or find yourself hiding the amount of time or money you’ve spent from others. And then there’s loss of interest in other activities: when the things you used to enjoy feel dull compared to the rush of your chosen habit," she concluded.
#14
Constant distraction to escape critical thinking.
#15
My brother in law was addicted to master baiting. You could not leave this guy alone anywhere. Almost cost him his family. Years of therapy to get his brain right. He literally beat off everywhere all the time. I have no idea how he never got arrested. I mean if you ran to the store together you had to make him come in with you so he didn’t rub one out while you were inside. It was terrible. I cost him several good jobs.
Lastly, Prof. Lobo cautioned, "When it starts crowding out the rest of your life, that’s when it’s time to pay attention." I think those are some pretty wise words because it's so easy to slip into the chaos of unhealthy obsession, right?
Well, folks, that's it from our end for today. Now, you can lazily scroll through the remaining list. Also, if you know any other such dependencies, feel free to share them in the comments!
#16
Eating Disorders/ Self Harm.
poiplescales 3 months ago (edited)
Some self harm is not as visibly damaging as cutting do we might not think of it as being self harm. Like digging your nails into your palms but not breaking skin, biting your cheek or just smacking yourself in the forehead
#18
An older man in my gated community retired and decided to walk around the community. It was safe with plenty of shade. Walking became an obsession, probably aided by advancing dementia. He walked himself to death while the community watched. He lost so much weight he became skeletal. He finally was put into a memory care facility. Seems crazy to become addicted to something healthy that ends up k*****g you.
Firstname Lastname 3 months ago
I've been told I am addicted to walking (try to get miles every day as it helps with my mental state) but I've learned to wear a pedometer so that I can eat back the calories I am burning.
#19
Coca cola.
zovjraar me 3 months ago
i was a pepsi a****t for years and years. my teeth were in terrible shape despite brushing and flossing. i developed GERD and threw up acid every week. i finally bought a bunch of different water flavor additives, and found one i love. been drinking a 2 liter of water every day instead of a 2 liter of pepsi for about 8 years now. the only difference, though, is no more cavities. i guess the GERD is here to stay. but i still feel better about myself for committing to water!
Papa 3 months ago
One of my coworkers used to carry a 2-liter bottle of Dr Pepper around with him. He quit when most of his teeth had pretty much rotted away.
Load More Replies... Lady Eowyn 3 months ago
Me for decades. Then, in Dec. of 2023, had a bad concussion and totally lost my taste for Coke. Lost 20 pounds in a month. I rarely drink any soda now.
Metalhead Turtle 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 3 months ago
I don't know why you got downvoted. You're just sharing your experience. Here's an upvote from me and I'm proud of you.
Load More Replies...
Jessica Cooney 3 months ago
I'll be honest, my parents had me drinking this stuff for as long as I can remember. I'm now 37 and I literally can't drink a plain unflavored sip of water without gagging. It's not the caffeine that I'm addicted to, cause I switch to Sprite and other stuff all the time. It's the carbonation and the flavorings that I crave.
poiplescales 3 months ago
It's not an equal switch but la Croix or Waterloo or Bubly could be an alternative if you're looking for one. Sometimes you just want something other than regular water to drink
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Huddo's sister 3 months ago
Pepsi for my uncle. All his adult life (or at least as long as I knew him) he drank at least two litres a day. Ended up wearing a hole in his throat and causing stomach problems. That combined with cigarettes, even though he didn't get cancer, caused him so many problems, he could barely eat and was skin and bones by the time he died. His whole day while he was in a nursing home (in his 60s) was spent between drinking Pepsi and going outside the property to smoke. I hadn't seen him for a few years when I went to see him in the nursing home, but I couldn't believe how much he had deteriorated. He died not too long after that.
#20
I had a friend of 5 years who couldn't go twenty minutes without an energy drink. No matter what it was, C4, Monster, Nos, whatever. He just couldn't. Last time I checked he's still addicted.
#21
Pulling out your own hair strand by strand.
#22
Afrin nasal spray.
Ok this is a “d**g” but the rebound congestion isn’t talked about enough!
Jessica Cooney 3 months ago
My husband has chronic nasal congestion, like EVERY SINGLE DAY. He was using this and some others but has had to limit it to once every few days IF its really bad, cause he was told by a doctor about the negative side effect.
#23
Fast-food addiction. My step-dad is obese and will go out daily multiple times for Chik-fil-a, Starbucks or McDonald's. If he can't, he gets irritable and restless. Doctor told him to knock it off, but its like his whole day revolves around food.
Jessica Cooney 3 months ago
As a certified credit counselor, I can honestly say, that one of the big things we see on a daily basis, is people who are struggling with crippling debt, but go out to eat for every meal. You look at their bank statements and see like $12 or more several times a day, every day and its no wonder why they are struggling to survive financially.
#24
Co-workers constantly tell me they can't live without coffee. I know you said non drug but many don't realize how addictive it is.
They wake up before their body tells them to and then inject caffeine to stay awake.. have a few caffeines during the day to keep their high going.
Repeat this daily for years. Crazy addiction.
#25
One of my former bosses used to spend upwards of $250, sometimes $500 a day on Hearthstone. He'd walk around all day, not working, just playing. He was also an alcoholic and I quit when he beat his wife and went to jail. Loved that job though.
zovjraar me 3 months ago
ugh this was almost me with Covet Fashion. Once i realized i'd spent $500 in one month on it, i deleted it. if i ever win the lottery, i'm downloading that sucker again!
#26
Mountain Dew. so much caffeine my friend went into withdrawal, when the mountain resort we were at was out. actually started to shake a little.
#27
Gacha games. I know it's technically just gambling, but the attachment an ex friend of mine had to the characters was what really drove it. He'd spend thousands. Had a decent income but never moved out because he couldn't stop spending everything to pull his favorite characters. Ended up begging me and some other people for money just to turn around and waste it on a jpeg.
Emilu 3 months ago
Having just spent far too much on gacha games, I am sympathetic. It's gambling but you win cute characters instead of money. I'm fortunate in that I can go several months plus without doing it and then I binge, rather than constantly need to flush my money down the drain, and I can afford it.
#28
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 almost completely ruined the lives of multiple kids at my school. Like literally - school grades, friends, everything. I saw one of them a couple of years back, he basically had to do high school again
#30
My nephew is addicted to the DS era pokemon. An adult with autism and will spend his SS on it before food. Left the care of his dad so he can freely spend all his money on pokemon. Buying expensive peripherals and tournament cartridges, multiple DSs to exchange pokemon with himself for evolutions.
#31
Buying collectables wrestling figures. I know a guy who has spent probably 5k on them in the last year
Drop Bear from Hell 3 months ago
BUT, could he afford them? Was anything else neglected so he could make purchases? If not then I'm not sure I would call it an a*******n....more like a hobby.
What do you think ?
Otto Katz 3 months ago
It took me 64 years to stop biting my fingernails. It's worse than almost anything. You always have them with you, you don't have to buy them, they're not illegal, you can do it driving, watching tv, taking care of the kids, any time. The longest I went without before now was 5 months each when I had my kids. Didn't want the nurses to know I was a nail-biter. It's been 3 years now Mar 1, and I don't feel the urge anymore. It was very difficult.
Adam Belaire 3 months ago (edited)
It's interesting that some instances of add-ict-ions were censored and some were not.
Anni 3 months ago
Not interesting at all. People "censor" their own entries to avoid algorithms. Who do you think is "censoring" them??
Load More Replies... Otto Katz 3 months ago
It took me 64 years to stop biting my fingernails. It's worse than almost anything. You always have them with you, you don't have to buy them, they're not illegal, you can do it driving, watching tv, taking care of the kids, any time. The longest I went without before now was 5 months each when I had my kids. Didn't want the nurses to know I was a nail-biter. It's been 3 years now Mar 1, and I don't feel the urge anymore. It was very difficult.
Adam Belaire 3 months ago (edited)
It's interesting that some instances of add-ict-ions were censored and some were not.
Anni 3 months ago
Not interesting at all. People "censor" their own entries to avoid algorithms. Who do you think is "censoring" them??
Load More Replies...
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