We've all likely been victims of addiction in one form or another. Whether it's drugs, food, TV, or whatever else, we can get very tempted into looking for that quick dopamine hit. Unfortunately, this cycle has diminishing returns. We have to keep doing more and more of the thing in order to maintain our altered mind state. Eventually, this maintenance collapses and we "crash".

Not all addictions are bad. You might be addicted to your job but don't allow it to affect your home life. You might be addicted to alcohol but you force yourself to never drink it. We can use our upper brain function to counter addiction. However, addiction is often a symptom of a disease, not the disease itself.

Depression

Being depressed is a big reason why people get addicted to things in the first place. Often times, something about our lives is completely unsatisfying and seeming inescapable. This causes us to seek activities that mitigate the problem rather than trying to solve it. We can't (or won't) attack the problem directly, so we need our quick fix. This is fine if the problem goes away or if we eventually deal with it, but it can be a disaster in the alternative scenario.

Steem

Even Steem is quite addictive at times. How often do you check your wallet and click the claim rewards button? I used to enjoy claiming even as little as 0.10 SBD. Constantly checking how much rewards my recent posts have generated can be obsessive as well.

Lately, I've been actively trying to stop myself from engaging in this kind of behavior. I'm been trying to be more productive and less compulsive. So far it's working out for me. I suppose this means I'm not addicted to Steem/crypto because I can control myself. Good to know.

I think the most important thing one can take away from the concept of addiction is that it isn't a disease like many people try to claim. It is an extension of a completely unrelated issue and often fully correlated with depression and the need to feel better under any circumstance. It is a symptom.

If you see someone struggling with addiction there is no point in giving them a lecture about discipline or self-control. The situation has already extended far beyond that conversation. Instead, find a healthy way to make them feel better about their plight. This is the true cure to self-destruction.

Everyone needs support. Humanity is a hive and we accomplish nothing on our own. Cooperation is the key to a better world.