Thread: When does a hobby become an addiction?

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When does a hobby become an addiction? I don't know but it's the topic of Dr. Phil's program this Wednesday so I thought I would toss this information out in case you are concerned about crossing over the line. It's seems those of us who are still posting and reading the "Halloween" Forum at Christmas time may be at risk (giggle). Personally, I'm not worried about myself. I only asked Santa for a few hobby supplies, some wire, PVC and sculpting books for Christmas. That sounds reasonable doesn't it? (big grin and a wink)

Is it this coming Wednesday? I'll have to see what time this is on. Very interesting topic. I think a hobby becomes an addiction when things really take a downturn. For example...I'll use myself.....there's a Dorothy doll I want from 1939 and in good condition she'd be worth around $2,000. I've been out of work 6 years and so far no job in site, but let's say I'm prowling Craigslist and I see the doll on there and obviously the seller doesn't know what he says as he's asking $500. Quite the bargain for something I've wanted for oh, 20 years and that's a bit rare. My hobby would turn into an addiction the moment I say screw the rent, and we don't need to eat this week and I withdraw all the money we have in the bank and spend it on this doll. And this is where using myself for an example ends because I've dipped into a little bill money once in awhile but I've never left things unpaid or done anything illegal or hurtful to anyone else. I'd say if you did something neglectful or harmful to yourself such as not paying your bills or something harmful to others like stealing money from you mother in laws wallet to buy something you think you need. Or just outright stealing what you think you need. Or borrowing money and lying about what it's for to get what you want. When someone starts in engaging in unsavory behavior for a hobby which is supposed to be fun, it's just time to quit.

Good points Succub'Oz. You sound quite well balanced to me!

Originally Posted by Madame Turlock

It's seems those of us who are still posting and reading the "Halloween" Forum at Christmas time may be at risk (giggle).

I think that it's all about the friendships, MT. If the name of the forum were ArborDayForum.com, we would still come every day just to "hand out with da' homeys".

(GREAT, now I'm gonna' have Dione Warwick and Stevie Wonder stuck in my head all week)

I agree with Succub'Oz points but would also like to add to that. If it no longer brings you sustainable pleasure or creates more pain than pleasure then it's time to realign yourself with something that does, or a least make adjustments

Interesting that you should bring up this topic.
We have a tv show here in Holland called, "Help! My husband has a hobby"
I know, a bit sexist but that's holland lol
Anyway, wives can submit their hobby obsessed husbands to the show. The show's focus is not so much on addiction in terms of what Oz said, stealing for your next fix type of thing. But more the emotion aspect of a hobby on your loved ones.
So the question one needs to ask oneself is, how does my hobby effect my loved ones.
Is the following quote from Madame true?

It's seems those of us who are still posting and reading the "Halloween" Forum at Christmas time may be at risk (giggle).

Not if you use proper time management, exaggerations and multitasking

Examples:
1. Set the alarm a half hour earlier so you are up before the rest of the family. Get your halloween forum fix and then a half hour later when the family DOES wake up, you'll be relaxed, and calm with a big smile on your face from all those comments made by witty forum members.
2. Using chat to do household chores: Chat with someone who types slow or uses a lot of BRB's. During the long pauses, dust, sweep, make grocery lists, wash clothes, etc.
3. Be assertive: Convince loved ones that your visits to the forum are absolutely necessary for THEM. Explain to the kids that you only have THEIR best interests at heart while searching the forum because after all they need to have the latest and best costume for next year and that's not something that can be achieved over night. No, that needs months and months of preparation and careful consideration. Same thing goes for hubby/wife....you need months and months to be able to come up with prop ideas that will turn the neighbors green with envy and make your house top!
4. If the above mentions suggestions don't help, get a laptop with a cordless internet connection. You can sneak all over the house with those things without the family noticing a thing

MsMeeple

When does it cross the line? I would say when you hide new purchases, lie about how much stuff costs, and find that everything you do revolves around the activity in some fashion to the exclusion of doing other stuff with people outside of the interest.

Self check--nope not there yet.

Originally Posted by Ghost of Spookie

When does it cross the line? I would say when you hide new purchases, lie about how much stuff costs, and find that everything you do revolves around the activity in some fashion to the exclusion of doing other stuff with people outside of the interest.

Self check--nope not there yet.

Well no worries about intervention from any of us here....!! LOL
Only when your not dealing with every day life as needed & your at least going to work & pay'in the bills.
Kinda boarder line here though, alot of us build our stuff & buy items to build with,is that an addiction ?
Or how about any of us that collect a specific item (s) of personal like & interest,is that an addiction,
only if we are not taking care of everything else needed.
Now as far the lying & hiding new purchases part......er as to the great words from Blazing saddles movie;
"your on your own ! " ..........& when your on here more than doing anything else,like building a prop

I also asked for some supplies for Christmas... modeling clay, pvc, some fabric... Tonight I was driving home and it seemed like a good time to pop in a Halloween cd I just happened to have lying in th car... Good thing i'm not addicted

I usually don't watch Dr. Phil, but now you got me interested to see what kind of freaks he'll have on the show.

Back to Ebay....I just printed out my CAD drawing of next year's haunt layout and need some plexi....



Stacy