People Are Calling Out Modern Addictions Nobody Talks About, And Some Of These Hit Way Too Close To Home

    "I was away from the internet for a week on an international cruise and didn't get the Wi-Fi package. Wow, does it make it all really obvious when you step away. I can't look at politics anymore because I can just smell the rage bait."

    Victoria Vouloumanos
    by Victoria Vouloumanos

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    When we think of addiction, our minds typically go to substances like drugs or alcohol. But addiction can take many forms — some so subtle and normalized that we don't even recognize them as problematic. So when a now-deleted Reddit user asked, "What's an addiction that nobody considers?" the responses revealed how our modern world has created countless ways to chase dopamine hits and develop unhealthy dependencies. Here's what they had to say:

    1. "Validation addiction, aka the compulsive need for approval, praise, or recognition from others."

    —u/RevealIntelligent737

    2. "Nasal spray.
This one is kind of obscure, but the thought of having a stuffy nose and needing more and more and more of that stuff is kind of scary."

    Person using a nasal spray, eyes closed, wearing a casual outfit outdoors
    ProfessionalStudioImages / Getty Images

    —u/TazzzTM

    "I literally cut myself off 10 years ago because it was causing me problems."


    —bobbutson

    "This happened to me in fifth grade! It was so severe that I needed to use it at least once an hour, or my nose was completely blocked up. The addiction lasted weeks. I would bring it to school and sneak huffs of it from my backpack during class, pretending I was rummaging for something."


    —u/iamnotahermitcrab

    3. "Habits that put us into the same patterns we're already familiar with. For example, let's say someone was previously abused and has low self-esteem, so they now gravitate toward people who mistreat them, etc."

    —u/crypticcryptidscrypt

    4. "Food."

    Person holding avocado toast topped with diced tomatoes, seated at a table with pastries and coffee in a casual dining setting
    Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

    —u/LivingSalt9816

    "This doesn't get talked about enough.
Someone can truly quit any of these other addictions. You cannot quit eating. And even if we could, eating is the center of most cultures, communities, and fellowship."


    —u/GingerrGina

    5. "Shopping."

    Person shopping online on a laptop surrounded by cardboard boxes, one of which contains black boots
    Oscar Wong / Getty Images

    —u/blissfulheadgames

    6. "Victim mindset."

    —u/tokenasian99

    7. "Gambling is often overlooked. It's also not just lotto tickets and bingo. Casino apps, sports betting, online gaming 'mystery boxes,' and day trading are just a few examples of things that use the same mechanics."

    Poker chips scattered on a laptop keyboard, suggesting online gambling or gaming
    Davizro / Getty Images

    —u/threadbarefemur

    8. "Dieting, eating disorders and/or disordered eating, and counting calories."

    —u/Global_Concept1331

    9. "Social media."

    Close-up of diverse hands holding smartphones, suggesting a group text or social media activity. People are wearing casual clothes
    Daniel De La Hoz / Getty Images

    —u/Goddess_alma__

    "It's a bigger issue than that. Social media falls under dopamine abuse, basically. It's just a constant onslaught of the pleasure ventures in the brain these days. Companies research ways to hit those centers and use the marketing to sell it. Small things like the action of swiping or flavors in food. Salt. Porn. Video games. Social media. YouTube showing you all the things you want but can't go for. All of these things are beneficial targeted one at a time, but goddamn, it fries people's brains all at once."


    —u/Klashus

    10. "Working all the time."

    People in a meeting room, one person presenting at a whiteboard with sticky notes. Others are seated at a table with laptops and coffee cups
    Johner Images / Getty Images/Johner RF

    —u/MotherEarth1919

    11. "Dermatillomania, or skin-picking disorder."

    —u/strangekey2

    12. "Dating apps. They're like a game, and the incentive for winning is your orgasm."

    Person wearing a denim shirt scrolling through a dating app on a smartphone, with a profile photo partially visible on the screen
    Luis Alvarez / Getty Images

    —u/Present-Loss5880

    13. "Porn."

    —u/PEACH_MINAJ

    14. "Sleeping in all the time."

    Unmade bed with crumpled sheets and two pillows, viewed from above
    Vera_Petrunina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    —u/Tough_Representative

    "Sleeping in general. I genuinely can't stop napping during the day. It's awful."


    —u/lights-camera-bees

    15. "Weed.
While it's not an addictive substance, people definitely become emotionally dependent. One problem is that weed makes you okay with being unproductive and bored, and many people use it as a crutch."

    —u/8v9

    16. "Phones."

    Four children sit closely together on a couch, each absorbed in their own smartphone or tablet
    Peter Cade / Getty Images

    —u/Then_Coyote_1244

    "That's me — same with my iPad. When I iron my clothes, I put on YouTube on my iPad. Eating dinner? Netflix. Drinking a cup of tea? TikTok. Waiting on the bus? Reddit. My phone is always in my hand. I take it with me when I go to bed, when I take a shower, when I walk the dog, when I have to get something from the attic, etc.
I miss growing up in the '90s and not having a phone — just being present in the moment. But somehow, I can't do it anymore."


    —u/Dazzling-Yam-1151

    What do you think after reading these responses? Are you recognizing some (completely normalized) patterns in your own life or others? What hidden addictions do you think are affecting people today? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

    The National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline is 1-800-950-6264 (NAMI) and provides information and referral services; GoodTherapy.org is an association of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to reduce harm in therapy.

    The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text “NEDA” to 741741.

    If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website.