SI becoming addictive?

Celticroots · 25-02-2012, 02:17 AM

I assume all types of SI can become addictive? (not just cutting) Thoughts?

Tig · 25-02-2012, 02:37 AM

Yes, definitely. In my opinion anyway :)

SilentBoy · 25-02-2012, 02:45 AM

One could argue that SI is some cases is an addiction. Personally i find it is. When i dont cut for a while i get stressed and angsty. After cutting i feel calm.

I suppose you could compare it with smokers getting cravings to smoke.

It is a habit, it is an addiction; or at least it is for me

girlinthecorner26 · 25-02-2012, 05:24 AM

I agree that SI is an addiction. When I'm in a particularly low mood sometimes the only thing I can think of is SI. I try everything to distract but sometimes it's overpowering. It definitely is an addiction for me.

OverAndUnder · 25-02-2012, 08:03 PM

I believe it is absolutely, 100%, unequivocally an addiction.

I've spoken to my sister about her alcoholism quite a lot. (She's been sober almost a year and a half now... :) yay sister!!!) The way she describes her addiction to alcohol is almost exactly the same way I feel about cutting. For example:

"I'd wake up in the morning with a horrible hangover, feeling like crap." -personally, I wake up in pain from the fresh cuts.

"I'd go through the whole day feeling guilty about what I did the night before." -Yep, me too.

"I'd promise myself not to do it again tonight, and I believed it because I felt like crap anyway, I didn't even want to drink." -Yep, I know that feeling. I slipped up, feel guilty about it so I definitely don't want to do it again!

"But it didn't matter that I decided I wasn't going to drink, somehow all of a sudden it's nine o'clock and I'm drunk again." -Yep! Promised myself I wouldn't, fully felt like I didn't want to, but somehow there I am again cutting like crazy!

I'm sorry, but if that's not an addiction, I don't know what is.

katie836 · 26-02-2012, 01:46 PM

I think it is an addiction, because often however much people try, it is really hard to stop. Not something you can do overnight.
It is an addition in my case, and probably everyone else's....

WinterSparkles · 26-02-2012, 02:02 PM

For me it's an addiction, because I've come to associate SH with certain feelings and thoughts. Now I can't do my schoolwork properly unless I've hurt myself because I feel the need for an adrenaline rush to keep me going whilst I work.

It's all psychological, but it's definitely an addiction.

shatteredbits · 27-02-2012, 12:03 AM

For me it is most defiantly an addiction. I crave the feeling of it and do not go a day without thinking about it.

Sometimes, I just do it because I crave it --- there isn't even an emotional pull or painful thing going on, its just me wanting to do it because I almost need to.

Leni · 27-02-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katie836

It is an addiction in my case, and probably everyone else's....

Not everyone. I self-harm sporadically - I've gone years between episodes. I've never felt addicted to harming myself. I've noticed in many posts that often people do feel they are addicted to it, and I've found that difficult to relate to. I can't be the only one who doesn't find it addictive though.

Changeling · 27-02-2012, 07:01 PM

I have not been doing it all that long but I reckon I am addicted already. I think about it a lot, including some things much more extreme than I actually do in practice, sometimes even when my mood I not so low.

Celticroots · 27-02-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leni

Not everyone. I self-harm sporadically - I've gone years between episodes. I've never felt addicted to harming myself. I've noticed in many posts that often people do feel they are addicted to it, and I've found that difficult to relate to. I can't be the only one who doesn't find it addictive though.

I am glad that someone else feels the same way. I was like you, I could go years without hurting myself. Unfortunately, that's not really the case anymore....but I am digressing. Glad I am not alone in my thinking.