My name is Princess Perky, and I am a reader. When I read I immerse myself in the book, losing all thought of time. Physical needs like hunger, thirst, and rest are pushed away while much stronger thirst for more of the story demands I slake it.
For the sake of a good book I have neglected self, family, friends, chores, and life. But oddly what is forever etched in my mind as proof of my addiction is the many insults given to strangers or mere acquaintances. While awaiting a bus, in a line, or at a Drs, I can remember countless faces all blurring before me as I tried fruitlessly to wrestle my gaze from the latest book, or even just a waiting room magazine. A conversation was merely a series of battles with the need to read pulling me back to the print. Struggles to dredge up the appropriate questions, or comment on the weather were sandwiched between mental arguments with myself. “Just another minute”, “you can read later”, “don’t look at the words”. I always failed in the end and the person lost to the pull of the print.
You might be thinking a reading addiction is a good thing, we spend millions of dollars a year in America trying to convince people to pick up books, newspapers, even just the directions to a game. But to me, reading is a burning need, not a relaxing treat. Offering me a good book is like offering the town drunk the finest of your vineyards. A waste. The point for an addict is not really the act, but the ability to fulfill the need. A chance to quiet the demanding voice for just a moment. I pore though a book immersing myself in the world some author lovingly created. Ignoring all but the most urgent needs in order to read it now.
Then I finish, the world fades quickly, leaving a sweet aftereffect for a moment. I rush to fill my needs before the hunger is back. An insatiable lust for more reading grows stronger by the minute. By sheer force of will I drink water and focus on physical needs. The gnawing desire to read fills my every waking hour. But I battle it down, accomplishing tasks slowly but steadily. I remind myself the hangover I feel is punishment for my abuse. I force myself to complete simple tasks, all the while fighting the urge to open a new book.
Today again, as I have many times in the past, I commit to ‘sobering up’ I don’t want to go ‘dry’ I never want to truly give up my books. But instead I make childish promises that the next book I‘ll read in chapters, rationing myself in between chores. I devise ingenious ways to hide the book from myself. Or I debate when I will really deserve to reread a book. (this never works with a new book).
But then life happens. My day goes wrong. All my good intentions crumble. I turn to my book declaring, "I need this". At first it is wonderful a relaxation of my guard. I release the demon demanding pleasure and allow it full reign. I immerse myself in the world, devouring word after word at break neck speed. A cushion against the troubles of the day surrounds me.
Then I hear a voice, insistent and repeating. I hear it as if from far away, requesting a drink, or help. I work myself back to the present, pulling myself from the fog to listen to the words. I find a child pressed close to my side, as if by physical contact they can bring me back to them. Fortunately a child’s need lends strength to my will. I wrench myself completely free from the words. I see to the need then in a pause when finished the demon urges me back to the book. Some days I borrow strength from my children’s needs to accomplish other tasks. Or I grab a drink for myself as well as them.
But always the book calls to me. A siren call, sweet and seductive, inviting me to lose myself in a world of no real concern. I can resist for only so long, then, my strength depleted, I return to the book. I sink into the enveloping warmth. The cocoon of fog rises to separate me from the world. It is with no small portion of regret that I succumb to the monster need, knowing it will be ever harder to pull myself from it’s grasp next time.
Reading addiction
June 12th, 2006 at 04:30 pm
June 12th, 2006 at 04:55 pm 1150127726
June 12th, 2006 at 05:53 pm 1150131212
June 12th, 2006 at 07:52 pm 1150138358
Retire, it is a nice safe drug for most!
June 13th, 2006 at 02:54 am 1150163640
Went to the dentist today for an expensive and uncomfortable procedure. My most vivid impression from the afternoon is my irritation at not being able to finish a magazine article in the waiting room because I was called to the chair.
June 13th, 2006 at 04:27 am 1150169263
June 13th, 2006 at 01:13 pm 1150200804
Nanamom, I am sure she is , learning to read is the greatest gift, though a bit of a curse
October 6th, 2006 at 02:37 pm 1160141831
October 9th, 2006 at 04:17 pm 1160407065
November 4th, 2006 at 04:27 am 1162614468
My sister suggested today that I may be addicted to reading. I can't get my house clean. I've read all the books and magazines that give the how-to-simplify advice. I just can't get it done. Your article describes me, but maybe not QUITE so bad. I do get to the drs, work, library, meetings etc, but with the best of intentions of doing 10 minutes of housework this morning, I could actually feel the book pulling me!!! NO KIDDING.
My sister suggested trying to go a week without a book. I really don't know if I could do that. I quit drinking 20 years ago without any trouble, and recently lost 50 pounds. But give up reading, I don't think so. Any other solutions?
November 6th, 2006 at 04:56 pm 1162832178
try banning books for only certain hours...
my favorite way is to make the book inaccessable....I am not so much of a rereader, so I prefer new books (less I am in the mood) I limit the number I take out of the library..then I allow myself the first day or two home to read it almost straight thru. (kids do get in the way.)
Congrats on giving up drinking and on losing that much weight. I am not sure I could do that.
I think if I were you I would start by paying 2 friends or family that are good at cleaning and decluttering to help you do a 'crisis clean' then from there go with one simple habit a day...any one..clean sink, or swish and swipe, or doing a load of laundry. then when that one habit is done, read away (till work interferes) when that habit is easy, add another.
January 4th, 2007 at 07:45 pm 1167939958
January 5th, 2007 at 12:53 am 1167958404
Never give up reading, but we do need to focus, and save it sometimes...
January 7th, 2007 at 06:17 am 1168150638
January 7th, 2007 at 11:04 pm 1168211047
Eventually, the needs of school and an experience at the library that made me not want to go back there pared my reading down so that I very rarely read a book that is not required for a class. This saddens me.
January 8th, 2007 at 05:27 pm 1168277220
To keep to my limits, I had to find other things, and I had to put the books away. A book I want to read in the living room beside that pile of laundry (or homework) is a temptation to strong for my weak willpower! So I leave it in the bedroom and stay away.
As for the writing skills, I suppose mine are soso on occasion, but trust me, this is one of 5 noteworthy writings in the last oh 20some years (I am 20some years old .)
hope that helps, hope some of these people come back to read my responses..
January 26th, 2007 at 11:58 pm 1169855895
February 19th, 2007 at 12:50 am 1171846211
I think you can become addicted to anything pleasurable to you. Some are good: exercise, reading and some are bad: well, you know these already and it is a long list...!
I have come to know a crack addict in my general life search for knowledge, and I am amazed how she lives (or rather, doesn't live). There is nothing and I mean nothing an addict won't do for a hoot. I am gently trying to pull her toward normality (I am her only non-addict friend) but even the pregnancy she has always wanted does not seem to be enough - she wants to stop but just can't. She had a normal childhood, went to college, had normal relationships, so there's not many excuses. She was to go into a treatment program but at the last minute rationalized to herself why she shouldn't. She cries if she thinks about what she is doing to her baby. She has no money, lives in a family crack-house, 5 addicts in a 2 bedroom basement suite including her boyfriend and Mom. You'd never know it was a crack-house unless I pointed it out. Basically, any money that comes in goes straight to the dealer. Welfare, disability, paychecks (few). They smoke tobacco from the gutter (removed from discarded cigs) and eat from the food bank and whatever can be scrounged/stolen. Rent is paid by social assistance and utilities are always a problem.
I have come to believe that addiction to anything is bad, and addiction to harmful things is very serious. As well, the only person who can make you stop is YOU, but others (friends, family etc) are crucial to make you aware of your addiction, cuz the addict can always rationalize it to himself. Beyond that is a gray area that will be different in every situation and for every person.
February 19th, 2007 at 01:27 am 1171848427
Prolly not tactful and not properly phrased, sorry, just a thought that might help your kid not need so much of an escape.
February 20th, 2007 at 09:00 pm 1172005244
February 21st, 2007 at 01:07 am 1172020058
Though honestly as long as a book is not 'ruining your life' you are prolly safe.
I should make up a test on how to know if you are reading for fun or actually addicted....
February 24th, 2007 at 03:22 pm 1172330578
I have talked to drug counselling people about my friend (even got her to go once) and they know less than we do about the drug scene. I doubt they have ever truly connected with an addict, let alone understood one (I know I don't, even after 2 years experience of personally knowing and addict), other than what they read in a text book.
A good book entitled "The demon and the monk" by David Grant is a life account of an addict, from Jr high school on, who eventually overcame his addiction. It is hard to find but every library should get a copy.
Grade 6 is socially stressful to a shy person, that is what I meant. Everybody is so worried about stress; stress can be good, builds character. If you never face your demons, they may silently rule over you using fear as a sceptre...
February 24th, 2007 at 03:36 pm 1172331410
The reward is your book.
That way you earned it and you are less likely to get addicted. As you grow in other areas you may find other interests and guess what? You are smart and interesting cuz you have read a lot. OMG sometimes I amaze myself with my firm command of the obvious. Which is all Dr Phil does and he makes $10,000,000 per year...
February 26th, 2007 at 09:15 pm 1172524550
As to stress, into all lives a little stress must fall I agree, but I am an opinionated home schooler so I can't help but suggest getting out of that particular stressful event
March 12th, 2007 at 01:35 am 1173663301
April 5th, 2007 at 06:50 pm 1175795426
April 6th, 2007 at 07:31 pm 1175884288
June 2nd, 2007 at 06:24 pm 1180805093
http://printedmaterialaddiction.blogspot.com/
June 2nd, 2007 at 08:55 pm 1180814147
June 23rd, 2007 at 08:42 pm 1182627723
Had the same problem in college and thought the remedy would be to study something that required a lot of readying: philosophy. Unfortunately, I soon discovered my addiction wasn't to reading, per se, but to fiction, and reading the dry prose of philosophy day in and day out soon became torturous. Out of a sense of obligation to my studies, I kept away from fiction for the most part, since having any fiction around pretty much meant that I would not be able to study for a few days. It wasn't until I graduated and finally allowed myself to go back to fiction that I realized the self-imposed deprivation was probably a great contributor to the severe depression I was in most of the time I was at college. I strongly suggest you switch majors to english or comparative literature so you can get credit for doing something you find irresistible. I made the mistake of thinking that such majors weren't "serious" or "challenging" enough. I didn't think one's major should be fun, or feel like an act of such self-indulgence. Now I realize that overcoming "challenges" is a source of pride, but not of fond memories, and in the end it's much better to be able to look back on a very happy life with a great deal of humility, than to look back on a very unhappy life with a great deal of pride. switch majors and indulge!
July 12th, 2007 at 10:27 pm 1184275651
August 16th, 2007 at 03:18 pm 1187273938
As a child, my sisters wanted clothes and toys for Christmas. As far back as I can remember, I got a pile of books. I would walk the aisles of B. Dalton (then the local book store) making a detailed list for Santa of the books I'd like to have. (At that age, I think the lists mostly consisted of The Babysitters Club and L.M. Montgomery books.) These days I have to rely on Amazon to provide me with books, but having to buy them myself hasn't stopped me yet . . .
I started college as a history major, but took so many English classes for fun that I declared English as a second major during my senior year of college. I crammed 7 English classes into one semester - most people thought I was crazy, but I remember that as being a pretty awesome time in my life.
One thing I would say to people who are encouraging young bibliophiles to become English majors is this - think seriously about what you are going to do with that English degree.
I ended up going on for a JD after I spent several years looking for a job that I loved as much as reading. I guess part of me figured I'd get to read a lot as a law student . . . and I was right, although I can't say that reading casebooks was as fun as reading any of my favorite authors. (While studying for my degree, I limited my reading of "fun" books to mostly Charles Dickens. Why? Because he wrote with the intention that his readers would have to wait for the next publication before they got the next part of the story. It fit well with my lifestyle and allowed me to stick to a strict one chapter a day schedule.)
It might have been wise for me to have focused on a degree that would lead to gainful employment after undergrad, rather than needing to go on and get a JD (which probably wasn't the right choice for me) in order to find a job.
I found this blog today while doing a search on reading addiction. (This was the first hit on the internet.) I often find myself using books as a way to escape from reality. When I get depressed, I find myself pulling out a well-worn book, be it Jane Austen (I read Pride and Prejudice once a year, at least, which usually leads into a re-reading of every other Austen novel) or Mercedes Lackey, who writes young adult-ish fantasy.
What I really wanted to do was this - invite you to email me about your "reading addiction." Why do you read? Do you think that your reading might be a problem? Is a reading addiction a good thing or a bad? I mean, let's face it, we want small children to learn to read and to love reading - reading is a huge way of gaining knowledge. But then look at us - teenagers and adults who admit that our love of reading sometimes prevents us from leading productive lives. Should we try, then, to discourage reading? How much reading constitutes too much? Is it the motivation behind reading that separates addiction from a healthy quest for knowledge? Is it the genre? I am thinking of making this into a project of mine. I realize that by giving you my email address I'm asking for a bunch of spam, but it seems worth it to me. If you have thoughts on this, or would like to enter into further discussion about reading addiction, send me an email at katielion@aol.com. Put "reading" in the subject line so I don't delete it.
Thanks!
September 20th, 2007 at 06:08 pm 1190308080
September 20th, 2007 at 06:13 pm 1190308435
January 20th, 2008 at 08:12 pm 1200859970
What I was hoping for is a 12 Step program. (Maybe I'm going to have to be the Bill W. of reading addiction.) I have been active in 12 Step programs (Alanon, Overeaters Anonymous) for over 15 years and still feel stuck. I think this is because my primarily addiction isn't being addressed--isn't even taken seriously.
Somebody said, in a recent Alanon meeting, "I prefer my alcohol in a human container." That's true for me, too, but I learned at the age of 5 that books were a lot more reliable than people when it came to needing a fix. The Land of Oz doesn't get angry, or make any demands, and it's always within reach.
What I know, from reading the Big Book of AA (great activity for a reading addict) is that I can't do it by myself. I might be able to control it for a while, but I can't recover from it, because only people who share my addiction can keep me honest. If I struggle with it, I always lose.
This is how it was with sugar, and I've been abstinent from sugar in OA for more than 2 years. Going to meetings keeps me abstinent from sugar, and at least makes me honest about how compulsive overeating is affecting my life. Trying to control my addiction always ends up in a binge.
Over the past few days, I have been bingeing on fiction. My body hurts, my house is disgusting, and I'm living on toast. Part of my OA abstinence is not eating and reading at the same time, so I'm grateful that I haven't been doing that.
I'm thinking of doing what I was told to do when I first came into OA: if there isn't an OA meeting, go to an AA meeting and listen to the readings and the shares as if they're saying 'food" rather than "alcohol." Maybe if I purposefully went to one AA meeting a week, and, in my head, substituted "reading" for "alcohol," things might shift. Right now, I am feeling what the Big Book describes as "pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization."
January 20th, 2008 at 08:52 pm 1200862320
January 22nd, 2008 at 03:25 pm 1201015540
However, it must be regarded as that, as it is interfering with daily life, and especially work.
I found a while back I could download whole libraries of books - which means that you can read an entire series back to back... "chain-reading".
I use a pda, so read anywhere..
Not sure I want to give up either. I know I have to cut down, but I'm hoping the splurge effect will saturate me / satiate the need... sometime soon; at least for while.
January 23rd, 2008 at 04:09 am 1201061351
January 23rd, 2008 at 04:47 pm 1201106821
February 9th, 2008 at 06:52 am 1202539935
I too read a lot. But I hardly call it addiction, because I love it and I can carry out my other daily stuffs happily.
But I have one problem. I am trying to write a novel (scientific fiction), but I read newspapers and newsmagazines.
February 11th, 2008 at 03:10 pm 1202742620
At age 44, it seems to me I have an addictive personality. Since high school, I have had several addiction problems. I drop one, just to take up another.
Reading has always been a handy activity of abuse for me. I think this is because when I read, I hear the words in my head, and this drowns out my own thoughts that I do not want to face. Recently I have had to face up to the fact that I suffer from PTSD, and even mild-to-moderate symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Reading is a very effective way to ignore recurring anxiety and remain "split."
The last straw came about a week ago, when I read a handbook for recovering alcoholics. I found a list of 30 questions to self-diagnose alcoholism. If I substituted "reading" for "alcohol," I scored high enough that there was no question I was an addict. "Do you require a read in the morning?" Yes. "Do you lose time from work due to reading?" Yes. "Is your reading harming your family in any way?" Yes. "Has reading made you irritable?" Yes. "Does reading make you careless of your family's welfare?" Yes. "Does reading cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?" Yes. "Has your initiative decreased since reading?" Yes. "Has your ambition decreased since reading?" Yes. "Has your efficiency decreased since reading?" Yes. "Is reading affecting your peace of mind?" Yes. Evaluating the test: "1 YES answer indicates danger; 2, a high probability; 3, a clear problem." Well, I have a clear problem, all right.
I was able to give up sugar, to which I was also addicted, about a year and a half ago. This gives me some confidence I may be able to do the same with reading.
I few days ago, I went "sober." How, you may ask? A person in today's world has to read. My job requires reading, including use of the Internet. So do many tasks of daily living. But I ask myself a simple question: Am I reading for myself, or for others? If only for myself, I can live without it. If for others, I can do it without addictive/compulsive behavior.
I've always enjoyed reading, and consumed books like potato chips. By the time I was in my teens, I had acquired a huge stock of general information from so much reading, and I was proud of it. But now I'm in my forties; my life is half over. How much general information do I need to accumulate? I'd say I have more than enough to get by. (I listen to the radio in the car, so I still keep current with the news.)
So far, this approach seems to be working. It has been a liberating experience not to have to read so much! In the past few days, I've spent more time with my kids; gotten more done around the house; accomplished more at work; etc. Yes, it causes me some anxiety not to be able simply to pick up a book to divert myself. But "sobriety" is its own reward. It feels good.
A final note to those who may be tempted to dismiss "addictions" to such seemingly benign things as sugar, reading, etc. Yes, those things seem benign, and in themselves, they are. The problem is the compulsive, driven quality behind the behavior. If you wish you could stop, but you can't, then there is no joy in it. It's an addiction, or a compulsion, or whatever you wish to term it. In essence, it differs not at all from addiction to alcohol, drugs, overeating, sexual behaviors, or anything else.
Good luck, all of you!
February 11th, 2008 at 03:18 pm 1202743083
At age 44, it seems to me I have an addictive personality. Since high school, I have had several addiction problems. I drop one, only to take up another.
Reading has always been a handy activity of abuse for me. I think this is because when I read, I hear the words in my head, and this drowns out my own thoughts that I do not want to face. Recently I have had to acknowledge that I suffer from PTSD, and even mild-to-moderate symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Reading is a very effective way to ignore recurring anxiety and remain "split."
The last straw came about a week ago, when I read a handbook for recovering alcoholics. I found a list of thirty questions to self-diagnose alcoholism. If I substituted "reading" for "alcohol," I scored high enough that there was no question I was an addict. "Do you require a read in the morning?" Yes. "Do you lose time from work due to reading?" Yes. "Is your reading harming your family in any way?" Yes. "Has reading made you irritable?" Yes. "Does reading make you careless of your family's welfare?" Yes. "Does reading cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?" Yes. "Has your initiative decreased since reading?" Yes. "Has your ambition decreased since reading?" Yes. "Has your efficiency decreased since reading?" Yes. "Is reading affecting your peace of mind?" Yes. Evaluating the test: "1 YES answer indicates danger; 2, a high probability; 3, a clear problem." Well, I have a clear problem, all right.
I was able to give up sugar, to which I was also addicted, about a year and a half ago. This gives me some confidence I may be able to do the same with reading.
A few days ago, I went "sober." How, you may ask? A person in today's world has to read. My job requires reading, including use of the Internet. So do many tasks of daily living. But I ask myself a simple question: Am I reading for myself, or for others? If only for myself, I can live without it. If for others, I can do it without addictive/compulsive behavior.
I've always enjoyed reading, and consumed books like potato chips. By the time I was in my teens, I had acquired a huge stock of general information from so much reading, and I was proud of it. But now I'm in my forties; my life is half over. How much general information do I need to accumulate? I'd say I have more than enough already. (I listen to the radio in the car, so I still keep current with the news.)
So far, this approach seems to be working. It has been a liberating experience not to have to read so much! In the past few days, I've spent more time with my kids; gotten more done around the house; accomplished more at work; etc. Yes, it causes me some anxiety not to be able simply to pick up a book to divert myself. But "sobriety" is its own reward. It feels good.
A final note to those who may be tempted to dismiss "addictions" to such seemingly benign things as sugar, reading, etc. Yes, those things seem benign, and in themselves, they are. The problem is the compulsive, driven quality behind the behavior. If you wish you could stop, but you can't, then it's not a consciously chosen behavior. There is no longer any joy in it. It's an addiction, or a compulsion, or whatever you wish to term it. In essence, it differs not at all from addiction to alcohol, drugs, overeating, sexual behaviors, or anything else.
Good luck, all of you!
P.S. If you have been struggling for months or years with this problem, without success, then professional help is indicated. If you get help, believe me, you won't be sorry.
February 28th, 2008 at 06:13 pm 1204222398
February 28th, 2008 at 08:06 pm 1204229212
Hah! I'm sure my therapist would be frightened by the new mob mentality we've now established while meeting other addicts. I can feel myself drawn to all of the answers as they describe me, not a character I'm reading about for once, so well... Do you think that AA is like that? Or NA? I can see the 12 steppers feverishly admonishing that this, the blog, our need to seek out answers in written form, is like a drunk hanging out with other drunks as they navigate through the alphabet of drinks, connoisseurs of their habit.
Please, don’t take this as a criticism – I, Amber, am a reading addict. A bibliomaniac. Bibliophile. I’m just not able to set down my books. I literally have slept three hours in two days because Ms. Patricia Briggs wrote a page-burner that I could not allow to slip from my fingers even as my eyes drooped… and then there is the other book waiting for me when I reach the last pages of this novel. Thank you, Christine Feehan for your brilliance. And when those wash past my senses, I always recalibrate with the classics: Shakespeare, Byron, and Brontë.
Say what you will but, yes, I am addicted. And like a true addict I know I’m hooked and I just don’t care.
Has my husband said this to me? Oh, yes. But then, I’ve heard it since grade school... and can’t we really then start to blame those same loving people? My parents, my educators, the media, the label/book/magazine writers…? I wonder if I can sue the publishers of my favorite novels for publishing such good literature that I cannot live my life without them? Or the book stores for their frequent sales – can’t you just see us suing Half-Priced Books and half.com for their feeding our ability to get our fix – our dealers. Hah!
We are a litigious society and boy, wouldn’t that make for interesting reading!
My humor spent, I’ll say this last thing in closing: To the non-readers, may you someday know the ecstasy found in someone else’s written fantasies.
March 6th, 2008 at 12:56 pm 1204808162