Addiction

I'm thinking that my way to handle stress is to surf the Internet for nothing and everything for hours on end. It can't be good for me, but it's what I do to tune out. And it's something I've done for a long, long time. I balanced it with working out and hanging with friends, of course. I'm not a hermit or Internet geek by any stretch, but I CAN spend literally hours on the computer doing nothing really.

I have websites I check daily like Perez Hilton and People and my "mother's boards" as I call them. I've been a member at those for 9 years now! I started when my eldest was just a baby and I consider some of the women I met there some of my best friends! I check in with Facebook several times a day to see what mundane activity my friends and acquaintances have added to their status. I look up topics that spring to mind that day. For example, today I looked up naturopaths and Tae Kwan Do. I also looked up Dr. Oz and his recommendations for supplements. Yep, just totally random websites and information.

I know it's my way of tuning out. And I know it's not the healthiest way to handle things, but it's not the worst either, right? I used to drink wine several times a week and when I'd go out with friends, I'd be known to drink quite a bit. I don't really drink anymore so that's got to be a good thing. I mean, I'll still have a drink or two and I still enjoy a glass a wine here and there, but by no means on a regular basis anymore. I also worked out pretty hard for about six months straight. I've since lessened up on the punishing routine, but I know that working out for me is paramount to sanity, so I have to get back to that.

I don't want to trade one addiction for another, and this Internet business has been going on a long, long time. It's not that I run away from problems or issues, either. I actually tend to be someone who does the opposite. I'll run into the brick wall head first, over and over and over again, to learn a lesson or drive home a point. I'm the type that doesn't let something rest until I'm good and satisfied that I've examined and analyzed it from every angle. So, the fact that I seek refuge in the technological world is an opposite reaction than most would expect from me.

I also blame it, however, on my never ending quest for useless information. I'll read anything lying around just to have something to read and learn. I'll pick up odd facts that nobody cares about except me. I "research" things (as I call it) that I suddenly think of or might think of doing or seeing. It's a problem!

My name is Tracey and I am an Internet addict. Is there a 12 Step Program?