by The Kid | Nov 30, 2020 | What is the most dangerous addiction in our society?
“Technology? Drugs? Money? Materials? Worldly appearance? Power? Feeling good?
These are all certainly monstrous addictions plaguing our societies today. But is there a deeper level to each of them?
I believe, yes. There is an umbrella covering each of these facets of our societal addictions…. and that umbrella is an addiction to… SUFFERING. Hear me out:
I suffered today because a girl from a dating app didn’t text me after saying she would. I suffered for hours, and still feel a twinge of suffering – almost a full day later. Never mind the million things to be inexplicably grateful for – I would rather choose to focus on suffering. But why?????
Since each of our infancies, we have been cultivating an addiction to suffering. Why? Because it is easy. It is familiar. It is constant. It is predictable. It is not ‘suffering’ inherently, however. Ultimately, what we are cultivating from infancy is a delusional sense of self that exists ‘separately’ from the world outside our bodies.
This notion is a complete confabulation, yet it gets drilled into our identity. Now, what happens is that this fundamentally mistaken view of the world naturally branches off into every facet of our lives. We feel separate from the world, and thus, we act selfishly. We do so in order to protect ourselves from perceived ‘threats’. There is an underlying ‘dis-ease’, anxiety, and disequilibrium within each of us – the voice of the ‘true self’ speaking through the facade, saying “Look deeper! Break free!”
We must decipher between “liking suffering” and “choosing suffering because it is familiar.” For the vast majority of us, the case is the latter. We choose suffering over and over again – why? Because it is the most familiar thing in the world to us. We know it back and front, head to toe.
When we attempt to solve any other addiction, I believe we are only putting a band-aid on a deeper wound. We are simply doomed to liberate ourselves completely until we liberate ourselves from our primary addiction to suffering.
I could go on forever talking about this – but to conclude: Everyone has the ability to break free from the chains of suffering. It is simply the effect of a delusional view of reality. The moment we see things for how they are, our suffering will cease. When we habituate this new view, the suffering will never see the light of day. It really is that simple.”
by Crystal J | Nov 30, 2020 | What is the most dangerous addiction in our society?
“I don’t know about the whole world…but in the USA, I would have to say opioid addiction. We are having a crisis here with overdoses at an all time high.
Pharmaceutical companies put out large ad campaigns in the 90’s advertising supposedly “safe” opioid medications, with little chance of addiction, for those plagued with chronic pain. Physicians started prescribing these medications in record numbers.
Later, it was found that the pharmaceutical companies had essentially lied, or misrepresented, the actual risk that comes with these medicines. Lawsuits were levied against them and they were fined monies that were a drop in the bucket compared to the profits they made off of these drugs.
The damage was done. Large numbers of people were addicted.
Years later when the problem became apparent, opioid prescribing became highly monitored and restricted and those addicted found other sources: usually heroin, which is cheaper and more powerful.
It gets worse.
Heroin requires large amounts of the poppy plant for production so dealers found another synthetic opioid-fentanyl-which can be produced in a lab. Fentanyl is MUCH more powerful and dealers would mix it into the heroin, or just simply sell fentanyl outright.
That is when overdoses shot up dramatically.
Yes, I would have to say opioid addiction is currently the most dangerous addiction, at least in the USA.”
by Doug R | Nov 30, 2020 | What is the most dangerous addiction in our society?
“Wow what an amazing topic. I can go in so many different directions with this topic but I have lived through a cocaine addiction and a heroin addiction and I honestly believe the most dangerous addiction is to: MONEY,POWER, & GREED. This is very much to the detriment of our children. Children grow up in daycares while both parents slave away to have bigger houses and nicer cars.
- Society’s idea of a “successful person” consists of bragging rights regarding which college we attend, what we study in college, the type of car we drive, wat we look like, what our significant other looks like, etc.. ..We make as much money as we can just to be able to buy status symbols A.K.A. useless objects such as Boats, Brand Name Clothes, Jewelry, Furniture etc. Just to impress the other people in their lives. Furthermore, we want to brag about our kids’ accomplishes in academics sports. The desire to prove the extent of our successes drives us to focus on the superficial aspects of life.
I believe that people are becoming more isolated, more indifferent, and more entitled, due to the content of music and movies, combined with the stressors of society and becoming overwhelmed.
This addiction has caused our country to want to remove God from classrooms classrooms and even courtrooms. The more we refuse tobelieve in God the more We Believe that we become our OWN GODS.
This fixation on physical appearance is also very degrading to society. Social media making has hijacked young girls’ minds making them want to look like Kim Kardashian, who has had so many plastic surgeries, that level of beauty is unattainable.
As society loses touch with the importance of personal relationships due to the breakdown of the family unit, as well as the advent of the internet. social media, and video games. How can the next generation have genuinely fulfilling interpersonal relations with other people when they are raised by televisions, video games, and social media?
We buy a $200 pair of jeans while we know damn well there are millions of children starving in Africa. We as a society find it acceptable to ignore our moral consciences and remain indifferent to disparity and human suffering.
This world today teaches us that life all about getting what we want and doing what feels good. An entire generation seems to be dying off from drug addiction because the pressure gets so overwelming. They are taught concepts contrary to what the human conscience feels is good and just. They have so much to prove and just want love and approval but end up depressed if they just can’t pull it off. They have become terrified of admitting failure and haven’t been taught proper coping mechanisms to deal with failure in a healthy way, so they resort to self medicating while searching for approval and companionship with the hoards of other people feeling the same way.
Basically, we as a society have become so greedy, disconnected, and so self-centered I fear it is too late to correct the damage we have done.
This is not the way society should be, but this is the way it has become… WHY? Humans used to live in tribes and forage for food, but This addiction to MONEY, POWER and GREED is so dangerous because everybody agrees with it and there are almost no memories of a different way of life.“
by David S | Nov 30, 2020 | What is the most dangerous addiction in our society?
Each community has it’s own norms, standards, stigmas and levels of what is acceptable and what is not, so this list of the top 10 addictions in modern society is in general and changes from country to country.
1. Coffee
Coffee is an addictive substance.
It is widely used in society and therefore it’s generally acceptable which can open the door to overuse. Research indicates that drinking too much caffeine can cause restlessness, anxiety, muscle tremors, insomnia and irritability.
The safe zone is not more than 5 cups a day or 600 milligrams.
2. Tobacco and Nicotine
Despite the increasing awareness of the dangers of smoking tobacco, it is still the leading contributor to causing health damage worldwide. An incredible 1.3 billion deaths are connected to tobacco annually.
The World Heath Organisation reported that smoking causes 90% of the lung cancers in men and 70% of lung cancer in woman and contributes to almost 80% of the cases of respiratory diseases and 22% of cardiovascular disease.
Nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco that keeps people smoking and the tar and toxic gases from burning tobacco cause most of the damage. The safe zone is zero amounts of tobacco or smoking is advised.
3. Alcohol
If alcohol was invented in modern times it most certainly would be made illegal in modern society.
Although alcohol has been grandfathered into or contemporary norms it is in fact as addictive and deadly as most illicit drugs. It is scientifically linked to 60 types of diseases including multiple cancers, epilepsy, and contributes highly to statistics on murder and motor vehicle accidents. Alcohol use is increasing worldwide and is abused in societies that permit it.
The safe zone is just 14 units of alcohol per week and that should be spread out over 7 days.
4. Sex addiction
In modern society, new medias and the internet have developed an increase in sex addiction.
Just like the abuse of other substances or practices, sex addicts use it to escape from reality, relieve anxiety or to fulfil compulsions. It is estimated that 8% of men and 3% of women are effected by sex or relationship addiction. For many, sex becomes a compulsive behaviour rather than an expression of love.
It can be connected to low self-esteem and addicts develop unhealthy dependencies on hollow sexual encounters such as one-night-stands or a related practice such as pornography addiction.
5. Illegal and prescription drugs
Legal opiates like OxyContin are particularly relevant at the moment in the U.S. and a good example of how addictive and dangerous prescription medicine can be.
The problem is that doctors prescribe appropriate drugs in good faith but there’s not enough education or support for those who need to stop or when they should stop. In addition, some prescription drugs are highly addictive and it has created an opioid drug abuse epidemic in the U.S. for many people who just need painkillers.
There is also the additional hazard of younger people stealing and experimenting with drugs they can find at home. The safe zone should be exactly what is prescribed in the short term.
Illegal drugs are of course not good for you. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines etc., are bought on the black market, which is unregulated, unethical and highly dangerous. Taking illegal drugs is extremely dangerous as the buyer will not know where the drugs were made, what is in the drugs and what will happen after they have been consumed.
The United Nations estimates that 185 million people worldwide were consuming illegal drugs in the late 1990’s. The safe zone is 0 in all cases of illegal drugs.
6. Gambling
While only 1% to 2% of adults develop problems with gambling it still continues to be a significant number of the population.
Compulsive gamblers tend to remember the highs of the wins and block out all the times they lose.
The excitement of the next win distorts their reality and the level of risk they are taking with their money and possessions. 80% of adults have gambled at least once in the past year and although most people have a fun and healthy relationship with it, the safe zone for gambling is if betting losses result in an inability to meet your regular financial obligations or provoke illegal activity, then steps must be taken to change the destructive gambling behaviour.
7. The Internet and modern technology
A recent phenomenon has developed called Nomophobia which means “no-mobile-phone-phobia” and describes the psychological attachment some people have to their modern devices.
According to modern research internet addiction especially affects young people and symptoms include feelings of desperation and anxiety when separated from their phones. It has also been shown that there is a dopamine boost from overusing certain social medias which contributes to the addiction explanation.
An interesting experiment is to ask yourself “how much anxiety would you feel without your mobile phone”?, or to perhaps try to not use your phone for a certain amount of time.
The internet is quickly becoming a virtual conduit to the world and integration of technology, internet and information can become an alternate reality that is more attractive than actual reality.
Internet users are spending a lot more time on their computers and less time with family and friends and can show symptoms of withdrawal or discomfort when separated from computers.
8. Video Games
Online gaming and virtual worlds are causing a huge upsurge in addiction to gaming.
As technologies develops so too does the user experience in gaming and it’s not hard to see how engaging modern gaming can be. While most people associate addiction with substances such as in the last above, doctors are now recognising addictive behaviours as well.
Gaming is similar to gambling in that it elevates dopamine and creates a strong psychological component to the addiction. Just like alcohol addiction is not just physical, the psychological part of the addiction creates the idea that “I can escape and feel good about my life”.
9. Food
Food effects the brain chemistry in the same way that drugs do.
Appropriately 2% of populations have food issues, eating disorders or food addictions. Most eating disorders stem in emotional and psychological issues and because food appears to be harmless and abundant it becomes the focus for abuse. Food can offer comfort, escape and the satisfaction of compulsions or cravings for feelings that arise in daily life.
Like most addictions, addicts are often unaware of their damaging behaviour until something serious happens. It sometimes takes the influence of other people to start to change destructive behaviour.
10. Work
While hard work is seen as a virtue to most people, overworking or “workaholism” can be a mental health condition and often a serious one.
Overworking can often have serious consequences on personal relationships and health yet addicts are unable to stop working, quite easily justifying it as the necessary and the responsible thing to do.
In addition, success from working, gaining fame and money become linked to status and self-identity. While there is nothing wrong with that by itself, the wisdom from the crowd says that a sensible work-life balance is needed to lead a consistent and happy lifestyle.
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