What is the difference between psychological addition and obsession?!

What is the difference between psychological addition and obsession?

Psychological addiction: The term literally means getting psychologically addicted to certain things or practices. Sometimes there are people who are highly obsessed with practices like gambling, food, sex, pornography, computer, work, shopping, spending etc. Therefore as absurd as this may sound, these people actually do in fact suffer from gambling addiction, food addiction, sex addiction, porn addiction, computer addiction, work addiction, shopping addiction, and spending addiction respectively. People addicted to food consumption are highly preoccupied with overeating and overeating is food addiction. These people are sometimes mockingly dubbed as “food alcoholic”. Narcissism is also a form of addiction.

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An addiction to any kind of substance makes us a slave to the craving. We are not happy unless we feed it again…and again. After a period of time it consumes our thoughts and energies. It becomes the primary thing we need and think about. We are unhappy and unsettled if we don’t have it. An addiction takes over our life and we begin to neglect other areas that need and deserve attention. For example, something as seemingly innocuous as cigarette smoking can have very negative consequences. It makes the individual who smokes stink! It is unhealthy to the smoker and those who are around them. It is controlling and addictive in two different ways. The psychological addiction causes you to only feel content if you have something in your mouth. The physical addiction is the craving for more nicotine. In business, I have often been amazed to see people flee out of a meeting in a panic because they “need a cigarette” to feel content.

An obsession is when we spend too much thought and time on any one thing. It may not be as destructive as a physical addiction, but it can have the same effect. For example, being a workaholic is an obsession. Many who become workaholics do so because they falsely believe they can find meaning or achievement in their work. Others are trying to avoid doing something else they should be doing. Of itself, work is a good thing and can be fulfilling. However, when we become consumed with “work” or success we neglect our family and friends. We then sow the seeds of destroying our personal relationships! Remember, life is a complex mixture of personal needs and responsibilities. These include family, work, recreation, spirituality, community and self-fulfillment. These areas all need attention and nurturing. If this doesn’t happen an unbalance occurs in life.

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