The Science Behind Unnecessary Addictions: Causes and Solution

Have you ever wondered why we often find ourselves being drawn to things which add no value in our life? Whether it's scrolling endless on social media, watching screen till late nights, playing games for long time or impulsive shopping. Initially, these habits seems less harmful but it quickly spiral into addictions.

The science behind these behaviors is brain's reward system. It means if we have have two options like to study or to watch movies, our brain prefers to watch movies because while studying our brain has to work but while watching movies our brain does not have to work. Brain seeks pleasure and avoid discomfort. And due to comfort of our brain, brain want to watch movie on another day instead of studying that leads to addiction.

After knowing science behind it, in this blog we'll dive into the psychology of unnecessary addictions, uncover the root cause and explore solutions to help you readers.

Why do we get addicted to unnecessary things?

Unnecessary addictions are often happen due to following:-

a. The Role of Dopamine

 Dopamine which is feel good chemical or hormone that brain usually release when we feeling very happy or enjoying on doing activities. When your brain enjoys to do such activity then it wanted you to do that activity on regular basis and brain used to release dopamine. If dopamine level secretion increases then it might get your addiction because you need dopamine from that.

Example:- when you play game for first time, before playing you feel something unpleasant but while playing we enjoys and secretion of dopamine also increases.

b. Escaping stress and emotions

 If you have stress on something then you tried to distract from that. In that case, you over consumed that things which you been used for distracting and you got trapped on addiction.

Example:- When you have breakup or uncontrolled emotional trauma, you tried some things such as using social media, watching series, movies or playing games or taking drugs and alcohol to distract yourself from that. In distracting yourself, you over consumed that and becomes your addiction.

c. Lack of self-control

 Self-discipline is the skill that can be achieved by conscious effort and practice. In the modern world there are many distraction, you have to control by yourself.

Example:- If you have notification from You Tube or you have to watch one video that need you. If you go for one video but spend a lot of time due to watching of other video which leads you to addiction. If you want to escape from addiction you have self-control on yourself.

d. Influence of Environment and Society

 Our surroundings have great role to shape our behavior. In our society many people are using social medias, if all using social media in our society then we also probably use social media and the social media is designed in such way where we got engaged and spend our time which leads to addiction.

Example:- A person might start using new app that just because everyone around then is talking about it, eventually becoming addicted to it.

How to overcome unnecessary addictions?

a. Build self awareness

 If you recognize that you've been involving such activity which does not add value in your life then try to replace that habit to other one which is adding value in your life. You have to self aware and recognize your habit and change it with good ones instead.

b. Set clear boundaries

 Unnecessary addictions often thrive when there are no limits. So start creating rules for you to taking less screen time. It's hard to quit habits that releases dopamine so you can use app like "Keep me out" which is found in play store which helps you to keep out from your screen. This is not paid promotion I promote this app because it helps me genuinely.

c. Replace Negative  Habits with positive ones

 You can change your bad habits. First of all, identify health activities which feels good such as work out, reading books, etc. and replace these habits with negative ones. And it is one of the most easiest way to break you addiction. You can do meditation instead of scrolling social media.

d. Seek Support

 Everyone have their goals in their life. You can also break your addiction by focusing on your career. It has two benefits;

                             you can do better progress on your career.

                             you can break your addiction too.

Also you have to reward yourself in your small achievements because it helps to distract your brain and in this time brain secret high dopamine level. By celebrating your small achievements you can focus on your career more than before.

 

That's all for today, Thank you for reading, all of you! See you in my next blog! Also don’t forget to check previous blog. Thank you!