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Strange Addictions

Discussion in 'Other Substances' started by Gin0710, Nov 4, 2014.

  1. Gin0710

    Gin0710 Active Contributor

    How does someone get help if they have a strange addiction? Do they seek similar treatment as any other addict or do they seek other kinds of help?
  2. Jen S.

    Jen S. Guest

    Hey Gino,
    What would you consider a strange addiction?
  3. Gin0710

    Gin0710 Active Contributor

    I've heard stories like huffing paint, but also people who eat chalk or foam. Strange things like that.
  4. Nergaahl

    Nergaahl Community Champion

    I had one colleague back in my school days who was kinda addicted of smelling acetone. Pretty weird if you ask me, but not that dangerous and pretty childish.
  5. Rainman

    Rainman Community Champion

    Most people with "weird addictions" as you call them don't notice that they have a problem.. Take the example of compulsive shopping. Is it an addiction? Sure it is. But do compulsive shoppers know that?

    I think the 12 step programs are effective for combating any addictions.
  6. amethyst

    amethyst Community Champion

    It all depends on what kind of addiction it is. As Rainman already mentioned, most people don't know that they have an addiction, but their friends and relatives will definitely notice and urge them sooner or later to find help. I would say that going to see a medical professional might be a good first step to make the person aware that they might be harming themselves. Even in the case of compulsive shopping, seeing a counselor would probably be a really good idea to shed light onto the addiction and possible underlying causes.
  7. Ronsa

    Ronsa Active Contributor

    I believe people are not aware of their strange addiction until their friends and relatives find out their strange habits. They have better receive some assistance to help them get rid of their addictions as well.
  8. jeremy2

    jeremy2 Community Champion

    We're all addicted to different things e.g smoking,drinking alcohol, watching porn, eating ice cream. For someone who's addicted to say eating ice cream, the treatment will differ to someone addicted to alcohol. The bottom line is different addictions require different methods of treatment. That's my opinion though and i stand to be corrected on this.
  9. sammy

    sammy Active Contributor

    There was reality tv show that covered this topic. I am not sure if it's still on the air but I watched quite a few episodes. People had become addicted to some very odd things indeed. For example, one woman ate nail polish daily. Most of the time, it was an inappropriate item that people were consuming but there was one where a guy took to eating only one type of food to the exclusion of all others. The show follows the person as they visit a doctor so he/she can explain the medical consequences. For some it seems like an actual wake up call.
  10. sadiemarie

    sadiemarie Member

    I would say any addiction regardless if it is a common addiction or a strange addiction should be treated the same. You can get help from a counselor, try to find a support group if there is one available. You can even go online and find forums that can be supportive of overcoming a strange addiction.
  11. Gin0710

    Gin0710 Active Contributor

    Yes I've seen bits and pieces of Strange Addiction. I couldn't stomach watching the whole thing though, because some of it was really bazaar. I was just curious as to how people with those kind of addictions get help.
  12. jdroc

    jdroc Active Contributor

    Yeah I seen that show. Them most weirdest one was the lady that liked to sniff baby piss filled diapers. I thought that was not only strange, but a really stupid addiction.
  13. zaerine

    zaerine Community Champion

    I have watched some shows in the past regarding some strange addictions like someone who was addicted on eating her hair. I think the treatments for those varies since there could be different approaches for every addiction. Mostly are psychological I think.
  14. Charli

    Charli Community Champion

    I've seen shows about these odd addictions and I'm not exactly sure if the 12 step program would be applicable, though it can probably be helpful at least. I don't think there is a good specialized program for each addiction so this is probably the next best thing. Although, I think it's still best to be able to deal with it on an individual program basis since the source of the problem is usually a psychological one and rarely do standardized methods work on that level.
  15. jdroc

    jdroc Active Contributor

    Not that's pretty yucky, but I don't don't which was is worse, that or sniffing the pissy diapers. Sorry for that word, lol
  16. JoshPosh

    JoshPosh Community Champion

    As weird as this may sound I overheard a few people at a party talking about when they use to drink a lot of robitussin when they were young. I don't get it. I'm guessing the antihistamines in it would make them euphoric. Not sure but that's the best guess I can come up with. No rehab needed for that. They eventually moved on to something else.
  17. primalclaws1974

    primalclaws1974 Senior Contributor

    There is a difference between addiction and a fetish or fad of trying something. Because someone ate the mushrooms out of a cow pie to get off a few times doesn't mean he's addicted to it. When I was younger a lot of people used to "huff" gas fumes and trip out on it. People were constantly doing it, and sometimes for hours on end. Eventually they matured and stopped doing it and the fad faded away (at least around here). I don't think it was an addiction, because they were able to stop on their own, but some probably saw it as such.
  18. Davienna

    Davienna Community Champion

    I am addicted to love, I always want to be in love, in a sparkling relationship. Sometimes I think I even force the feeling to come, maybe that is why I always end up regretting starting my relationships. I am going to start the 12 step program though. I was addicted to eating marl & dirt when I was younger but gradually broke the habit.
  19. primalclaws1974

    primalclaws1974 Senior Contributor

    Women that keep getting with men that treat them bad is a strange addiction to me. It is not the typical addiction, but I feel it is an addiction anyway. What else would you call it? They need to be with a man for whatever reason, such as someone "to take care of them", and an occasional slap or punch isn't enough to make them realize that he's not taking care of her.
    WannaBfree likes this.
  20. catherine_sky

    catherine_sky Member

    The eating of non food substances is called Pica and is a well documented disorder if this is something they are compelled to do. There are however individuals that also consumer non-edible things for all sort of reasons, including to fill oneself up (ie, toilet paper etc).