The Most Uncommon Addictions

When thinking about addictions, most people talk about sex, drugs, and alcohol. While these are some of the most uncommon addictions, there are many others as well. Some of the most uncommon addictions in this world include tattoos, hand sanitizer, plastic surgery, video games, piercings, nutmeg, toads, eating glass, and Loperamide. These addictions can cause serious health and lifestyle consequences. They could even cause death in many cases as well.

Tattoo Addiction

Have you ever seen someone covered in tattoos? Do you know someone who is always planning for or getting another tattoo? If so, they may have a tattoo addiction. In one study, 32% of the people stated they were addicted to getting tattoos. Some people like the pain they receive when getting the tattoos. Others say they feel euphoric when getting a tattoo. Some people just like to hide their skin or other features of their body. Tattoo addicts like the adrenaline rush they get from the needles. Others like that they can express themselves in any way they want through tattoos. Many people become addicted to tattoos because it helps them battle inner demons.

Is there a problem with tattoo addictions? While there may not be as serious side effects as many other addictions, tattoos do cost a lot of money. Some people put off paying for their bills because they want money for tattoos. This can create a lot of financial stress for the entire family. In addition, since this can be a very expensive addiction to maintain, many people go to people who aren’t licensed to get tattoos. These people often use the same needles on multiple people which greatly increases the chances of spreading illnesses and diseases. If you or someone you know has become addicted to tattoos and want to stop, there are treatment centers available.

Hand Sanitizer Addiction

Some people have become addicted to hand sanitizer. This started with teens and inmates, but has now spread drastically. The spread now affects mainly college students. There are also pre-teens drinking hand sanitizer as well. The user will drink the hand sanitizer. It makes them feel high and it is very dangerous. Most hand sanitizer is between 55 and 75 percent alcohol. One small bottle of hand sanitizer is the same as drinking 2 shots of 80 proof vodka.

Drinking hand sanitizer is extremely dangerous to the central nervous system. In addition, there are added harmful chemicals in hand sanitizer that should not be ingested. Drinking hand sanitizer could cause vision issues, diarrhea, memory loss, internal organ damage, brain damage, alcohol poisoning, coma, or even death. If you or someone you know has become addicted to hand sanitizer, there are treatment center programs available to help you overcome that addiction.

Plastic Surgery Addiction

There are millions of people around the world who get plastic surgery. While some of them need this type of surgery after a car accident or burn accident, others choose to do it. The problem is that so many people are addicted to plastic surgery. They may want their body to look a certain way or they may get a rush from making changes to their body as well. It may not seem like it, but a plastic surgery addiction can be very dangerous.

Constant plastic surgery can cause damage to the body that can’t be undone. In addition, plastic surgery is expensive. Those who can’t afford to get this done by a licensed professional often resort to getting it done by unregulated facilities. The dangers of doing that are infection or even death. If you or someone you know has become addicted to plastic surgery, there are rehab centers to treat the addiction.

Video Game Addiction

Video game addiction is real and has many negative side effects as well. Yes, it is alright to play a video game every now and again. However, there are some people who stay up for days on end just to play video games. When the addiction to video games begins, there are many dangers at play. Where does the high come in? Many people are addicted to video games because fantasy seems more attractive than reality. It gives them a high to put themselves into the video game world.

In some cases parents have not been taking care of their children because of their video game addiction. Some children and teenagers have committed suicide after playing too many violent video games. Physical and mental health both suffer when having too much screen time. Video game addictions can delay social development, decrease sleep, cause loss of appetite, unhealthy eating, poor self-esteem, and other problems as well. If you or someone you know has become addicted to video games, there are detox programs available.

Piercing Addiction

It is normal to have the ears, tongue, nose, or even belly button pierced. However, there are some people who have 20, 50, or even 100’s of piercings. When getting a piercing, the body releases endorphins. These are the same “feel-good” natural chemicals released when abusing drugs. The pleasure this gives someone can make them crave more piercings.

Some people become addicted to the pain of getting a piercing. Others like to push their limits to see how drastically they can change their body through piercings, such as stretching the ears, for bigger piercings. Those who get many piercings may do it themselves or go to someone who isn’t licensed. This increases the risk of infection which could even lead to death. If you or someone you know has become addicted to getting piercings, you can get help to stop.

Nutmeg Addiction

This may be one of the most uncommon addictions yet. The effects someone gets when ingesting nutmeg raw can be extensive. The main reason people become addicted to nutmeg is because it makes them feel excited. They may even hallucinate as well. The high can last for hours or even days.

People who ingest nutmeg may experience a range of psychological and physical effects. Myristicin is in nutmeg. This substance is psychoactive. It can cause delirium, nausea, heart palpitations, convulsions, pain, and dehydration. When ingesting too much nutmeg, overdose could occur. If you or someone you know has become addicted to nutmeg, help is available to stop abusing it.

Toad Addiction

Yes, people can become addicted to toads. This is by far one of the riskiest ways to get high and it could lead to a fatal reaction. The cane toad is one of those that people can get a high from licking. The secretions from these toads can cause people to hallucinate. However, licking them is very dangerous.

Some toads, like the cane toad, have toxins. When licking the toad, huge adrenaline bursts occur. The adrenaline will start by increasing one’s heart rate. After that happens, fibrillation will occur. If too much toxin enters the body, seizures, irregular heartbeats, or even death could occur as well. If you or someone you know has become addicted to toad licking, get help right away.

Eating Glass

This is known as hyalophagia. It is a pica and pathological disorder. Hyalophagia is extremely dangerous. While some people eat glass as a performance act, others eat glass because they are addicted to it. Eating glass may be an attention-getter as well. Some teenagers do this to get the attention of teachers, their parents, or other adults in their life.

Gastrointestinal issues and internal injuries may occur in those who develop this addiction. Every time someone eats glass they are at risk of cutting essential organs in their body. One gash on the wrong organ and death could occur. It may be a slow bleed or an almost instantaneous death. If you or someone you know are addicted to eating glass, there are treatment programs to help with quitting and recovering.

Loperamide

Another uncommon addiction is to OTC anti-diarrhea medications, also known as Loperamide. These medications are effective and safe when taken as the package states. However, there are some who will take large doses of anti-diarrhea medications. This makes them high. It is actually known as a poor man’s methadone fix. This is a cheap way to get a high similar to that of prescription painkillers or heroin.

Having a Loperamide addiction is very dangerous. Abusing this medication can lead to abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, fainting, irregular heartbeats, or even a heart attack as well. If you or someone you know is addicted to Loperamide, be sure to get help to quit this addiction.

These are some of the most uncommon addictions. Abuse symptoms will be seen with all these addictions. Each of these addictions can be extremely dangerous. There are addiction treatment programs available to help someone overcome even the most uncommon addiction. Are you or someone you know addicted to any of these things? If so, getting treatment right away could save yours or their life.