Addictions – Television

Television addicts are a relatively new breed, especially since television itself has only been around for about 50 years, not nearly as long as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. But make no mistake about it, television addiction is quite real and most people don’t even know they are addicted to it.

Television differs from most other addictions in that it is mainly due to something missing from the person’s life and not an addictive personality.

The sad truth is that many people have what most of us consider empty lives. They get up, go to work, come home and go to sleep. Maybe the weekends are a little different in that you can go for a walk, do some shopping, or even see a movie. But the truth is that many people’s lives are quite routine and quite boring. When they walk in the door at 6 p.m., or when they come home from the office, the first thing they do is turn on the television. This is especially true if the person lives alone. But the reasons why they may surprise you.

It’s not that they can’t wait to see their favorite show, since TV addicts don’t have a favorite show, it’s that they can’t stand the deafening silence. Walking into that empty house or apartment and listening to absolutely nothing can drive the television junkie crazy. So the first thing that comes on is the television, if only to kill the silence. This is how television addiction usually begins. But this is not how it ends.

The television addict begins to wait every hour, as there will surely be a show that he will enjoy. Two programs at the same time? No problem with digital cable and TIVO, where you can record multiple things at once and watch later. With all the different forms of entertainment on the tube, a TV addict can spend hours and hours watching without even breaking a sweat.

The real problems begin when the television addict tries to turn off the tube to go to bed. They can not. There is always one more show to watch. There is always one more stupid commercial to laugh at. And today, with cable, the television is on all night, unlike the old days, when stations would go off the air after a set time with their now-forgotten “This now ends the Company’s broadcast day National Broadcasting “You have to be at least 40 years old to remember. Today, television is a 24/7 business.

Unfortunately, television addicts spend almost all their time in front of the subway, except when they have to go to work, do the shopping, or whatever else needs to be done to keep them away from their addiction. And if you think these people are not really addicted, try taking the television away from them for a day. It is not a pretty sight.

Television addiction is serious. Unfortunately, there is very little help for the addict, as professionals generally do not consider it a serious problem.

At least not yet.