Fiction books are literally like a drug for me. The amount of dopamine spike I get from books is probably higher than any amount of meth or cocaine I could do. It makes everything else in life seem boring by comparison and makes me not want to do anything. Why would I feel motivation to do anything if I could get massive, massive loads of dopamine just by reading fictional books? Books are like the strongest magnet in the world pulling me whenever I try to stop. My mind becomes irrational, and the only thing it seeks is that next humongous spike of dopamine. I used to laugh at drug addicts thinking how could anyone get addicted to anything but now I understand. Once I start a book I am so addicted to it that my mind loses all rationality and the only thing it wants to do is continue reading.
I’ve never noticed anything this powerful in terms of addicting. I don’t get addicted to other things like youtube or reddit or short form content. Long form books and series make me lose a desire to do anything else in life. This seems to be the one thing that I have no self control over.
by AnonymousDog26
18 Comments
You should get a therapist, or stop hyperbolizing.
Be glad you’re addicted to books rather than sugar, nicotine, alcohol, or anything drug related!
As a fellow fan of reading, reading your post is concerning.
Christ reddit draws in some weirdos.
Have you gotten assessed for ADHD?
Hey, I just wanted to tell you, it was very brave of you to share this. Stay strong in this fight, my friend. Remember to just take things one day at a time, and in anticipation of those moments of weakness, get a notebook, and write out all the reasons you have for not reading. All the ways your life will get better without that addiction. Look at that notebook whenever you feel that itch coming on… Okay, gonna get a little personal now: I knew a guy who seemed to have it all together when we were coworkers. Turns out he was deep into a 3 year book addiction, very high tolerance, and going through 2, maybe 3 novels a week. Last time I saw him, he was stumbling around, strung out on the latest Colleen Hoover with the book still in his hand. He didn’t even recognise me.
Remember: the idea that you can “just read one” is a minimising trick your mind will use to get you right back to the old habit. And lastly, my DMs are always open, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you feel you’re about to turn to literature.
wtf you on bro
Perhaps you’re being downvoted because substance abuse & addiction is an extremely real problem with devastating consequences, and insisting that your love of reading parallels that (even though you’ve never tried drugs) is an ignorant thing to say in the context of how many people have lost their lives to addiction.
You should try non-fiction, there are plenty of books that can explain the opioid crisis to you.
Do you have a heroine addiction?
There are less healthy addictions to be sure. As a writer, I appreciate you; but, on a serious note and as a fellow human being, I am deeply concerned for your wellbeing if books get in the way of you living a healthy, fulfilled life. You may want to consider speaking with a licensed therapist.
Escapism can be a healthy coping mechanism for dealing with the stresses of life, but just like anything, it can be unhealthy, too.
Studies on rats have shown that addiction is a symptom of a bigger issue: rats housed in plain wire cages with nothing to do become addicted and overdose when given drugged water, while rats in habitats filled with activities and other rats rarely even use the drugged water.
Which makes me wonder if this addiction is an issue you’ve had for a long time, or if it’s a relatively recent development.
There are lots of things in life that one might feel the desire to escape from, especially as an adult. It’s a lot of responsibilities that are fairly dull and tedious, and some that are so frustrating that they make you want to scream.
If there’s anything about your situation that you have control over and can change to make it easier on you, those changes will make it easier to avoid books, and will help to lessen the chance that you develop an unhealthy relationship with other hobbies that you pick up in replacement.
I’d recommend writing down all the things that make you feel the desire to escape into a book. Either off the top of your head, or make a note of what you were doing any time you feel that way. And then look at the list and pick something that you can control, and find a way to make it more enjoyable.
If one of the reasons is “chores” as a whole, then think about what aspects of the chores that you hate, and attack those features.
If you’re able to listen to audiobooks while doing other things, and without becoming addicted, you could do that instead. You could listen to them while doing another recreational activity, but you could also use them to make chores more enjoyable.
You need to find ways to make your own life more enjoyable so you want to actively participate in it instead of relying on escapism, and then once you’ve done that, you can learn to be bored.
Don Quixote enters the chat
i dont like this post :/
I’m pretty interested in your reading list.
Going to go a different way than others: books aren’t the evil similar to how drugs aren’t evil.
And you don’t actually hate them. You literally love them. The concerning part in this is you looking at life as if it doesn’t compare to the sensation of you reading a fiction book. One might wonder is it the topic of said fiction book or just the act of reading that gets you. Like do you even have this reaction to a book that actually sucks?
Sorry you’re experiencing this. Do think a therapist would be useful to work on self control.
And don’t laugh at drug addicts or addiction. Shit sucks.
Books are fun and enjoyable and you should enjoy the experience of reading them. 2 to 3 books per week is really a book every other day. It’s not unheard of or wild.
Just try to chill out and work on self control.
Addiction is a disease that manifests in many different ways. One can become addicted to almost anything it seems. If it’s interfering with your quality of life or preventing you from working, eating, socializing, or generally taking care of yourself you might want to seek professional help.
“but dopamine” is the silliest excuse I’ve heard of.
I’m jealous. I will get this way, but only once in a blue moon. I find myself not really enjoying most of the fiction I read. But every once in awhile I’ll find something that hooks me and it is a really great feeling, indeed almost like a high. I can picture the scenes so vividly in my head that I completely lose myself and my surroundings. Full immersion. Rare, but a great treat and makes all the slogs thru boring books worth it.