Forum Addiction

[Sam Winchester]

Since joining here in February, I've been getting, on average, five hours of sleep a night because of my addiction to this place! I keep telling myself that I'll log off after reading one more post, but I never do. Some nights, I even stay up through the night until the next morning, getting little or no sleep at all. Not very often, thankfully. Most nights I log off around 2 or 3.

Be honest: do I have a problem? Or do other people here find themselves in the same situation? I just want to convince myself that I'm not the only person who does this!

[edropus]

What a loser. Get a girlfriend!

Just kidding. Not here, no, but I've experienced the same thing on other forums, or a new game, etc. Social interaction (and this does count) releases serotonin into the brain. So does short-term reward, such as finishing a quest or killing a boss in a videogame/MMORPG. In this way, forums, chat and videogames actually have at least some level of chemical addiction. Which helps to explain why people leave their wives/kids/jobs/lives to go hide in a basement and play Warcraft. It's the game serotonin addiction matched with the social serotonin addiction, with pretty packaging and bright flashing colors.

Why do you think I kept trying to leave?!
Take my advice, start using this place as a reward for work done. Have a definite log-off time and don't dream about posting, coz that would be sad. If you find yourself turning down a night out so you can read about Malone's neighbours' dog having a chuff like a coin purse...then you really have got probs.
Sam...have an early night with a good book. We'll all be here tomorrow.

[lilacstarflower]

I don't stay up late but I do find myself heading straight for the internet when I come in from work. The idea being that I'll check out the site for any new posts (get my fix) and then do some writing.

Tonight is a prime example of what usually happens: got in from work, had dinner, looked over my writing folder - where all my latest drafts are kept, to see what I would work on -, came online...and stayed on here for most of it.

I only ever get some serious work done at the weekend (and that's only because I drive down to the beach that's ten miles away from home) and work with pen and paper

So, in short Sam, you are not alone

[Sam Winchester]

Originally Posted by BOURBON

Why do you think I kept trying to leave?!
Take my advice, start using this place as a reward for work done. Have a definite log-off time and don't dream about posting, coz that would be sad. If you find yourself turning down a night out so you can read about Malone's neighbours' dog having a chuff like a coin purse...then you really have got probs.
Sam...have an early night with a good book. We'll all be here tomorrow.

I haven't got that far yet, Bourbon! Nights out are still as appealing as this place, thank God! Although, Malone's stories are usually well worth reading.

[Sam Winchester]

Originally Posted by lilacstarflower

I don't stay up late but I do find myself heading straight for the internet when I come in from work. The idea being that I'll check out the site for any new posts (get my fix) and then do some writing.

Tonight is a prime example of what usually happens: got in from work, had dinner, looked over my writing folder - where all my latest drafts are kept, to see what I would work on -, came online...and stayed on here for most of it.

I only ever get some serious work done at the weekend (and that's only because I drive down to the beach that's ten miles away from home) and work with pen and paper

So, in short Sam, you are not alone

Good to know, Andrea. Good to know.

Malone...do you ever sleep??? Am I going to have to give all you boys a bed-time?

[Non Serviam]

You have to tuck us all in if you do.

*big grin*

[Amber Leaf]

i get the same thing when im out of work but ive got a new job tommorow so shouldn't have the problem much longer.

[Tiamat10]

I go through spurts with this site, to tell you the truth. Some days, it's like I just can't get enough. Others, I couldn't care less. For the most part, however, I poke around here every now and again, looking for catchy titles/familiar posters, but to date, I've not lost sleep reading stories. I know perfectly well that I enjoy reading much more when I'm not about to fall out of my chair from exhaustion, so I'm alright with saving that 'one more story' till the next day. Usually.

[dwellerofthedeep]

I think you should just live with it, and consider yourself lucky you aren't a member of a more active forum.

[lin]

Not a problem...just start playing spider solitaire instead of web posting.

[mi is happy]

I know people who are worse, Sam. Meet people who practically live on Gaia Online; it's pathetic. At lest this site kinda simulates your mind... just a little bit.... slightly....
(As edroups said at lest you haven't left your family for WF, like how people have for WOW.)

[Sam Winchester]

Originally Posted by lin

Not a problem...just start playing spider solitaire instead of web posting.

It's better I'm trying to get, Lin, not worse!