In my own personal opinion, there is no such thing as a healthy addiction. Sure, we all know that certain addictions are worse then others. A serious drug addiction for example, can lead to destructive lifestyle behaviours and may even result in the possibility of a serious injury or death. Most people who have addictive personalities will make poor choices when they’re under the influence of their addiction. An alcoholic might make the decision to drive, even after “just a few drinks”. A food addict might use comfort eating and over-eating as tools to help cope with emotional distresses caused by feelings such as depression, sadness and stress. A workaholic might use his or her career as a divergence to escape the reality of their own personal lives that might be in a state of turmoil and unrest. But when do we really know when our addiction actually becomes an addiction?

Can You Really Never Have Too Much of a Good Thing?

Have you ever heard of the term “Gymaholic”? What about “Workout Junkie”? These terms are usually thrown around loosely and with humour as most people just assume that exercising regularly is a healthy addiction. And for the most part, it is. However when people start to feel as if they NEED to workout all the time and HAVE to go to the gym everyday, there might be a problem. Let’s face it, the fitness industry can be an extremely vain industry at times. And now with the surging prevalence of Social Media, filtered selfies and beautiful bodies bombarding our news-feeds, how can we not develop at least a slight version of body dysmorphia?

Women are constantly being told that they need to be skinny and “toned” (whatever the hell that means). Men are being told that they need to be bigger and more muscular. It’s no wonder why anorexia and bigorexia cases are more common now then ever before. And if you’re one of the lucky ones that don’t care purely about your aesthetics and only exercise everyday because it makes you feel good, then you might have to ask yourself – “How good is my body actually feeling?” Because I can tell you first hand, that exercising everyday is only going to cause your body to overtrain which could trigger adrenal fatigue, which in turn will ultimately result in mental burnout, emotional angst and pure physical exhaustion. All of which will lead to a lack of results, both internally and externally.

Finding an Addict With Answers

I’m not a Doctor nor am I a Psychologist and therefore I’m not trained to help people work through their addictions. I can and do however offer suggestions to our own clients when they are dealing with their own mental barriers, obstacles and distractions that are getting in the way from them achieving their target health and fitness goals. Sometimes these suggestions work. Other times they don’t. Occasionally I’ll even refer them to a specialist if I believe that their addiction is sending them down a destructive path and deterring them from obtaining a better quality of life. However these are just suggestions and recommendations. I cannot force someone to beat their addiction, they have to want to beat it.

The Productivity Addict

For myself personally, I know my addiction – I work hard, I train hard, but I don’t take enough time to rest and play. I’m obsessed with being productive and I’m addicted to the results that this productivity produces. If I were a car, I would be running on fumes for the majority of my life. I don’t take days off from work, I rarely take more then two days off in a row from training and I always make sure to keep myself busy, even when I know I should be giving both my body and my mind the break that they need and deserve. I’m committed to beating my productivity addiction, but just like other addicts, I have my good days and I have my bad days. The very fact that I am now able to accept this addiction is a huge turning point for me as before I was in denial that my productivity was actually hurting me rather then helping me.

Are You An Addict? 

Remember, addiction occurs when someone is engaged in something that’s pleasurable to them, but the continued use or act becomes compulsive to the point of interfering with normal life responsibilities (work, relationships or health). To make matters worse, an addict may not even be aware that his or her behaviour is out of control. Addiction is a behaviour that controls you. Addiction allows your impulses, your pleasures, your anxieties, your fears and your preferences from taking center stage over your better judgment or reasoned decisions. If you believe that you are struggling with an addiction that is negatively impacting your health as well as your overall quality of life, then it may be time to seek assistance from a trained medical professional.

“Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.”
Carl Jung

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance