Strange And Unusual Addictions

March 5, 2016
Man with addictions
Photo Credit: Dreamstime

An addiction can quickly take over a person’s life. While most people have heard of the more common addictions, such as alcohol, gambling, and various types of drugs, there are a lot of not-so-common issues that can cause damage, as well. Although some of the habits on this list may seem harmless, too much of anything is never good. Keeping things in moderation is always the best plan for healthy living.

5. Chewing Ice

There are people that feel a constant desire to chew on ice and may need ice by their side at all times. Although it seems like no big deal, it can be a sign of more serious medical issues happening throughout the body. A person who compulsively chews ice may be anemic or seriously lacking important vitamins the body needs. Finding the cause behind this addiction is important, as it often leads to serious tooth damage. It also affects the tongue and throat, and can cause a wide array of stomach pains.

4. Hair Pulling

Some people find themselves facing a compulsive need to pull out their hair. It often has to do with feeling uncomfortable in certain situations and dealing with internal struggles. It offers a sense of comfort for those finding themselves feeling anxious or in a stressful situation. People who struggle with this addiction tend to look for ways to hide their hair loss with the use of hats or strategically planned hairstyles. It may eventually lead to skin damage or permanent hair loss, so treatment should be sought quickly as far as overcoming this addiction.

3. Getting Tattooed

There is a lot of evidence supporting the idea that getting tattooed is a psychological addiction. Due to the use of needles, your body releases endorphins and adrenaline to help fight off pain. Both of these offer a natural high, which people may find themselves craving again. On top of that, people often yearn for ways to express themselves and tattoos offer a platform for that. Tattoos are becoming more acceptable and tend to be fairly harmless as an addiction. Yet, too many can interfere with career goals and daily life, so giving a lot of thought before being permanently inked is important.

2. Plastic Surgery

While many probably feel that there are few things they would happily let a surgeon fix on their bodies, there are some people that take this to the extreme. People who suffer from plastic surgery addiction are never happy with their bodies and are constantly finding things to change. Perfect results are never a possibility and fixing every tiny flaw becomes an obsession. Not only does this further encourage underlying mental issues, it can cause a lot of physical damage to the skin and tissues, as well.

1. Lying

Some find that lying offers a way to escape from bigger issues in life and allows for a sense of control over problems that may be occurring. Typically, a person will feel nervous about lying and have a fear of getting caught. For lying addicts, lying offers a sense of security and the idea of telling the truth seems to pose more of a risk. Lying leads to relationship issues and can cause a lot of hurt for those close to the person suffering. Like any other addiction, it will only continue and get worse if not properly addressed.

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