# 253: Addiction
Story behind the Passage
Yesterday, someone repeatedly mentioned the problem of addiction in a meeting when talking about present-day media use, particularly social media. I said that addiction stops the minute you realize that you do not need the drug to make you happy — that you are happier without the drug because drugs actually bring no happiness. He did not believe it. Maybe I did not use the right words. Maybe what I said was not right, at least in his ears. I do not know. I just know that on some days, there is not much to write about. Or I was addicted to blogging and now I am over it. I do not know. But the topic of addiction did hit me again today which is why I had no difficulty choosing what to write about.
The book above is very helpful. I must have bought it because it was recommended somewhere in a decent article at a time when I was really into the topic. There is so much bullshit around when it comes to “self-help books,” you will not believe it. Well, you probably will. The issue of credibility and trust is actually the major reason why I do think that books will come back. But maybe I am wrong. Maybe my conversation partner from yesterday is right by saying that social media addiction is changing our brains irreversibly and thus, old media formats will die. That might be the case. I do not actually care that much. I have never run the risk of becoming a media addict. Maybe I was addicted to video games when I was a child. Maybe I was addicted to reading e-mails at some point. I do not know. What I do know is that I have some other addiction that keeps coming back and I need to do something about it.
My Learnings
“Die Beeinflussung war teilweise so stark, dass die eigene Persönlichkeit sich nicht entfalten konnte.“ I am not talking about people here, actually. Well, at least not directly. Indirectly — yes. Since I am talking about an institution as the “drug,” it also implies people. Maybe I am wrong and it is vice versa — the people are the tricky part. Whatever it is, in my case, the described change of personality definitely happened. I would not say that this completely inhibited my personality to unfold. But it unfolded in a way that was not completely natural. What “natural” means, I do not know. Still, when I look at this institution from today’s perspective, I am quite sure that the way this institution shaped me was in many ways counter to my nature. It was valuable, no doubt. But only until a certain point. And the worst thing is:
Even though I have realized this, I keep going back to it time and again — mentally and in reality.
That needs to stop.
Right here, right now.
This is how you stop an addiction.
You make a decision.
Maybe it will take years to really stop.
Maybe there will be many relapses.
But if you want it,
You will make it.
“Der Weg in die Unabhängigkeit wird längere Zeit in Anspruch nehmen.“ I just wonder how long it will take. I am sick of this. I thought so many times that I had gotten over it but then I am back. And the worst thing is: The more often this happens, the more you hate yourself for this to happen — even if you have grown into a person who knows a lot about herself, others, and the universe. Still, it keeps happening. It is so insane and nerve-wracking that I hardly have any words for it. As with any addiction, there is only one way to get out of it:
Keep trying.
Make a clear decision.
Endure the pain.
Resist the temptation.
Celebrate the new life.
Reflection Questions
1) Is there a risk of you becoming a social media addict? Which specific measures could you take to prevent this from happening?
2) Were you ever addicted to anything and managed to break fee? How exactly did you do it?
3) Are true happiness and addiction opposites or can they go together?