Media Addiction is akin to other process addictions ie. : Wokaholism, Sex and
Love Addiction, Extreme Religion and eating disorders. It is entirly probable
that these are interconnected with one another. Here is a reprint from the
"Workaholics Anonymous (c) (tm)" pamphlet and we may find it a useful guidline,
if we substitute the word 'work' with the concept of 'media' as "...extensions
of the (Hu)man", this is in reference to and including all " BOTTOM LINE"
activities, ie: compulsive, obsesive, workaholic, abuse of television, films,
radio, books, computers, multi-media, IRC, personality or celebrity emulation,
mind control, virtual reality, money,"Junk Food", or others if you can identify
the caracteristics in common
".
HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M A WORKAHOLIC?
1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything
else?
2.Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when
you can't get anything done?
3. Do you take work with you to bed ? on weekends? on vacation?
4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?
5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
6. Do you turn your hobbies into money- making ventures?
7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work
efforts?
8.Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't
otherwise get done?
10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to
complete it?
11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you
are doing?
10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to
complete it?
11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you
are doing?
12. Do you get impatient with people who Have other priorities besides
work?
13. Are you afraid that if you don't work hard you will lose your job or be a
failure?
14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very
well?
15. Do you do things energetically and competitively including play?
16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order
to do something else?
17. Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?
18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others
are talking?
19. Do you work or read during meals?
20. Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your
life?
If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, there is a chance
you are a workaholic or well on your way to becoming one.
Over the years we have developed tools of recovery which supplement our
Twelve Steps. These tools are guidelines for living one day at a time, in
balance and free from work addiction.
W.A. TOOLS OF RECOVERY
LISTENING We set aside time each day for prayer and meditation. Before
accepting any commitments, we ask our Higher Power and friends for guidance.
PRIORITIZING We decide which are the most important things to do first.
Sometimes that may mean doing nothing. We strive to stay flexible to events,
reorganizing our prorities as needed. We view interruptions and accidents as
opportunities for growth.
SUBSTITUTING We do not add a new activity without eliminating from our
schedule one that demands equivalent time and energy.
UNDERSCHEDULING We allow more time than we think we need for a task or trip,
allow- ing a comfortable margin to accommodate the unexpected.
PLAYING We schedule times for play, refusing to let ourselves work non-stop.
We do not make our play into a work project.
CONCENTRATING We try to do one thing at a time.
PACING We work at a comfortable pace and rest before we get tired. To remind
ourselves, we check our level of energy before proceeding to our next activity.
We do not get "wound up" in our work so we do not have to unwind.
RELAXING We do not yield to pressure or attempt to pressure others. We remain
alert to the people and situations that trigger pressure in us. We become aware
of our own actions, words, body sensations and feelings that tell us we're
responding with pressure. When we feel tension, we stop to reconnect to our
Higher Power and others around us.
ACCEPTING We accept the outcomes of our endeavors, whatever the results,
whatever the timing. We know that impatience, rushing, and insisting on perfect
results only slow down our recovery. We are gentle with our efforts know- ing
that our new way of living requires much practice.
ASKING We admit our weaknesses and mistakes, and ask our Higher Power and
others for help.
MEETINGS We attend W.A. meetings to learn how the fellowship works and to
share our expenence, strength and hope with each other.
TELEPHONING We use the phone to stay in contact with other members of the
fellowship between meetings. We communicate with our W.A. friends before and
after a critical task.
BALANCING We balance our work involve- ment with efforts to develop personal
relation- ships, spiritual growth, creativity and playful attitudes.
SERVING We readily extend help to other workaholics , knowing that assistance
to others adds to the quality of our own recovery.
LIVING IN THE NOW We realize we are where our Higher Power wants us to be
---in the here and now. We try to live each moment with serenity,joy and
gratitude.
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