What are you addicted to?

The guy with the bloodshot eyes you see staggering down the street – you pity him, don't you? The dirty young man slumped against the wall, eyes lost in a haze of drugs – you pity him, too, don't you? They're addicts and you think they're to blame for their misfortune, for not being able to stand up and face their own problems, choosing to drown their sorrows in legal or illegal substances.

How about you? What are you addicted to? There are lots of things in this world that no one in their right minds would dare to call addiction and yet they serve the same purpose as drugs or alcohol – keep you from having to face your own problems.

Work is one of those. Many go to work because they have to, but see it as just a way to have a roof over their heads and pay the bills. Trying to enjoy their lives as best they can in their free time. Yet, far too many make their job as their main purpose in life. The guys that always work long hours, spend much of their spare time worrying over job-related issues. How many people do you know that have little or no life outside of their jobs? They might even have a family, but home is just the place where they go to rest and clean up for the next work day?
Imagine a homeless guy who spends his nights on a bench just across the street from such a workaholic? What does the homeless think seeing the couple across the street as they leave in a hurry every morning, already wearing their busy-people masks? They won't be back until late in the evening, wearing their worn-out masks, talking about the problems they've had to deal today and tomorrow's challenges. Maybe the homeless envies them their nice home, maybe he pities them for what they are – work-addicts.

Source

These are not the people struggling to make ends meet, not even those wanting a bigger house – but people who take refuge in work. When you're too exhausted with your work or too concerned coming up with some clever business plan, there is no time left to wonder whether you're happy or not, what is your purpose in life or what do you truly desire. You don't have to face you're demons. You're to busy for that!

'Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (for example, alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (such as gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continuation of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary responsibilities and concerns, such as work, relationships, or health.' (Psychology Today)

According to the above definition, my argument is completely wrong. Or is it? Why is it that work is an 'ordinary responsibility' but there is no mention about your life? Isn't that or shouldn't it be your main responsibility and concern? You can always get another job, but not a second life. If you work to the point that it drowns out any other interests it is an addiction. Work is where many people find refuge from their unacknowledged issues, just as the bar is the place a drunk hides away from his demons.

There are many other seemingly innocent pastimes ordinary people are addicted to, but no one looks down on them, as they are socially acceptable.
Let's say you're spending a quiet evening at home. No one will frown if all that you do is check your Facebook every five minutes. But it is an addiction, nevertheless. You need the constant distraction, the worthless news your friends will post, to keep you from seeing that your life is empty, you have no passion, no interests. You're just killing time. Laughing at a meme is way better than asking yourself if this is the life you dreamed of when you were a kid.

The game I play everyday tells me just this: 'Relax...and play Candy'. Many time I lie to myself I'll just use that time to think about my next post. I never do. I don't think of anything else. Just stare at the damn candies with a blank mind.
The many screens that surround us are in most cases just a means to avoid thinking. Like drugs and alcohol.
Compulsive shopping is nothing to worry about, merely something to joke about with your friends. Yet people spend hours at the mall, distracting their minds with the colorful displays. Buying useless stuff is not the real purpose here, but filling a few hours of the weekend, away from the bleak display of the insatisfactions and insecurities you don't have the guts to face.
Even going to the gym can become a means of escaping reality. Your inner reality. It is a healthy habit, no doubt, but it too can become compulsive. Someone I knew used to spend several hours every evening riding a stationary bike at home – to keep in shape. That was an addiction if I ever saw one. A life spent between work and grueling exercise sessions is not a life, but you're way too busy to notice that.
As this is the second post I've written today I'm wondering – am I addicted to Steemit? Could be...
What are your opinions? What are your addictions?

Thanks for reading

Images: Pixabay