Exercise addiction is among the most widespread, with an estimated million Americans alone being reported to suffer from the addiction. While some will certainly jokingly say they ‘wish’ they had this disorder, what makes exercise addiction dangerous is the extent to which patients are dependent on their workout sessions.
People with this addiction will usually get really anxious every time they miss a workout or continue working out through illness and injury. Like cosmetic surgery addiction, exercise addiction may occur due to an underlying self-image issue or body dysmorphic disorder.
9. Hacking
Don’t get us wrong, we think that cyber hacking is a criminal offense, as hackers illegally gain money and control over their victims. At the same time, we might be a bit too judgmental of some hackers, as it turns out that many of them are not capable of controlling their bad habit.
Some researchers believe that compulsive hacking, especially cases not associated with high monetary or crucial information rewards – the type most common in adolescents – should actually be classified as Internet Addiction Disorder and treated medically. There was even a famous European court case of a hacker being cleared of all charges as the jury establishing that he was addicted to hacking.
10. Bleach Baths
If you were flabbergasted after reading the very word combination “bleach bath”, you’re not alone. However, the notion of bleach baths is actually less strange than you might think, as people suffering from of chronic eczema (atopic dermatitis) are sometimes recommended to take baths with a very small quantity of bleach to soothe the itchiness and irritation that comes with an eczema flareup (Note! Don’t use this method without your doctor’s supervision).
Still, for most eczema sufferers, a bleach bath is not a pleasant experience. Then again, Gloria, who was featured in the ‘My Strange Addiction’ TV series, is not most people. The 30-year-old woman says she cleans her entire house with bleach every day. On top of that, Gloria takes a relaxing bleach bath every morning. The woman uses up 300 gallons of bleach a year, and she refuses to stop using bleach despite the fact that it irritates her skin and eyes, ruins many of her clothes and furniture.
11. Eating Chalk
Did you, too, have that weird kid in class that would always eat chalk? If you did, don’t be surprised, as chalk addiction is one of the most common types of pica, or the impulse to eat non-edible objects. Some believe that eating chalk can also be a sign of an underlying nutrient deficiency, such as a zinc or iron deficiency.
Remember, while chalk is considered non-toxic, it’s typically highly contaminated with everything ranging from rat droppings to dead bugs, chemicals, and metal particles, so it’s quite a dangerous addiction.
12. Going to Tanning Salons
Tanning beds are quite harmful for you, as they can cause skin cancer, but it turns out that they are also highly addictive. Tanorexia, as the addiction is known, may be, in part, a result of a body dysmorphic disorder, but that’s only half the story.
A 2011 study also found that UV exposure in tanning beds may also trigger the release of endorphins into the brain. As a result, the patient feels bliss after a tanning session and is encouraged by the ‘happiness hormones’ to return to the tanning salon.
13. Being Stung By Bees
Most of us are afraid of being stung by a bee. Some are even allergic to bee stings. But Margaret, a woman in her 50s, is addicted to the process. Her addiction has been going on for over 10 years, and it began as a session of bee venom therapy to soothe arthritis pain (Attention! Bee venom therapy is not a recommended method against arthritis and is very dangerous and potentially deadly).
Margaret gladly accepts bee stings on her hips, ankles, elbows, fingers, forehead, and even nose, and she gets 15-20 stings at a time.
14. Eating Glass Shards
Certainly, one of the most shocking addictions one could have is hyalophagia – the need to eat glass shards or object. As you may imagine, it’s an extremely dangerous addiction, as the shards of glass cannot be digested and could easily cut the digestive organs, possibly even causing severe internal bleeding.
Still, people suffering from this condition cannot stop their desire to eat glass. In a way, this very dangerous condition exemplifies how all addictions are not a lack of self-control or willpower, but a real, and often very terrifying disease.
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