Reef Addiction: Observations And Analysis

[JLAudio]

My background is in Behaviorism and I am currently working as a Behavior Analyst who works with individuals who have certain behaviors that either they would like to change or others would like for them to change.

This got me thinking about my reef keeping hobby as a legitimate form of addiction

Defenition:
Addiction was a term used to describe a devotion, attachment, dedication, inclination, etc. Nowadays, however, the term addiction is used to describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individual's health, mental state or social life.

By this specific definition reefing fits all of the criteria

Compulsion: Will compulsivly purchase, alter, build all sorts of things pertaining to this hobby regardless, or how out of "my budget" it is.

Harmful consequences: Credit debt, neglecting other aspects of my life, extreme time occupancy. Conflict between friends and family.

What is it about this hobby that has me so hooked? Is it merely the recreation of a beutiful natural scene and animals? Is it the constant building and collecting of tangible items (similar to any collection based hobby). How is it that I hate buying a $75 pair of sneakers, but a $100 angel fish "NO PROBLEM". WHAT THE HELL IS IT? I got three tanks up and running in an apartment in Queens, a girlfriend who thinks im some kind of startrek freak, and a dad who refers to me as "fish boy".

Hold on I gotta go and change my aquascape for the 3rd time today:thrash:

 

[lanacane214]

your dad is funny,im on the same boat please help me!!!!

 

[inkblue]

soundS like me during boating seaSon

 

[JLAudio]

Yea my dads funny but sometimes a bit relentless, fish boy is getting kinda old, im 27 and he still has to call me up to clown on me

 

[Awibrandy]

So Mr. Behaviour Analyst, HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol

 

[JLAudio]

Im just sitting here having a few drinks and looking at my freak'n credit card bills and think this is more expensive than drugs!

 

[grknyer]

:biglaugh: My Avitar says it all!!!! :help:

 

[JLAudio]

I wouldnt change my addiction for any other, however, I just find it humerous, how many people make light hearted jokes about the addiction of reefkeeping, and one MR member who I sold some livestock too said "he wish he had a crack addiction, it would be cheaper" although COMPLETELY JOKING, there is always a little truth to every joke

 

[tunicata]

lol, just before reading this, I was contemplating going to AE's sale today and trying to get that 3 for 2 sale instead of using the 'extra' money I have this month to 1)pay bills 2) get my hair done

nice...
I mean...the bills aren't late, and my hair can hold on till NEXT paycheck...when there isn't a good sale going on...
cause I could also use some more B-ionic because HOF has really good prices...
:knockedou

 

[emmanuel]

LOL jlaudio I say that to everyone but many of my childhood friends were/are crack heads I wouldnt wish that on anyone but financially it would be the same if not better

 

[NYreefNoob]

i think it partially is to the point you invested x amount and use that for an excuse { i do } for buying more or better equiptment. or my fav line to my wife, this is it let me buy it and i am done. { was done 2 yrs ago } 4 tanks later. it's a challenge and it has better rewards than most addictions. believe me i have tried to balance my pay check to be able to buy just this lol

 

[JLAudio]

LOL jlaudio I say that to everyone but many of my childhood friends were/are crack heads I wouldnt wish that on anyone but financially it would be the same if not better

Yea Manny, for some reason that statement always stuck with me and kinda inspired this thread

 

[JLAudio]

i think it partially is to the point you invested x amount and use that for an excuse { i do } for buying more or better equiptment. or my fav line to my wife, this is it let me buy it and i am done. { was done 2 yrs ago } 4 tanks later. it's a challenge and it has better rewards than most addictions. believe me i have tried to balance my pay check to be able to buy just this lol

I definitly hear you, Im always telling my gf that I got this "fish, coral, or equipment" it in this "crazy deal" and then adjust the actual price by $50-100. Its the compulsion, and impulsive nature involved in this hobby that I find bizarre, I find myself buying ligts, filters, WHATEVER, at 2am like some kind of feen. It definitly has huge, obvious reinforceing qualities (end result, aesthetic appeal, acquisition of new additions to the collection), however the fact that this hobby turns typically controlled and disciplined spenders into some impulsive child like state is what I cant quite figure out.

Maybe we're all just have some kind of pre-disposition for addiction and it is our nature and we should be thankful that we found something constructive rather than destructive

 

[fritz]

The person who got me onto this site (Ronen) told me when he sold me my first coral:
"Welcome, this is more expensive than gambling and more addictive than crack. Hope you enjoy it."

Boy was he right.

 

[bad coffee]

Thankfully my GF has a tank, and the wants that goes with it. I've always called it a reef addiction, not a hobby. Non-fish people raise an eyebrow when I say it, but raise both eyebrows and go "WOW" when they see the tank.

We had a house party here the other day, and EVERYONE was staring at the tank at one time or another.

B

 

[Awibrandy]

I definitly hear you, Im always telling my gf that I got this "fish, coral, or equipment" it in this "crazy deal" and then adjust the actual price by $50-100. Its the compulsion, and impulsive nature involved in this hobby that I find bizarre, I find myself buying ligts, filters, WHATEVER, at 2am like some kind of feen. It definitly has huge, obvious reinforceing qualities (end result, aesthetic appeal, acquisition of new additions to the collection), however the fact that this hobby turns typically controlled and disciplined spenders into some impulsive child like state is what I cant quite figure out.

Maybe we're all just have some kind of pre-disposition for addiction and it is our nature and we should be thankful that we found something constructive rather than destructive

I know the feeling, I keep saying the same thing. My tank is totally packed, but I keep moving things around just for that last piece that I just have to have.lol I haven't been to the Hair stylus in over 2yrs., the manicurest over a year. Haven't bought myself anything, except for stuff for the hobby.LOL

To your second statement; I wonder how many are addicted to smoking? I am, so I know I am pre-deposed to addictions. With a alcoholic grandfather, and a couple of heroin addicted uncles, well I think that says it all.

 

[frank arriaga]

Help Me ,help Me ,help Me Please ..........lol

 

[Thatguy96]

This is a great thread because I am trying to study for my CPA exam and I find that this hobby has been quite addicting but wouldn't change it for anything. Just have to slow it down at times.

 

[JLAudio]

This is a great thread because I am trying to study for my CPA exam and I find that this hobby has been quite addicting but wouldn't change it for anything. Just have to slow it down at times.

I agree 100%. We dump Sh$t load of money into it, but lets also think about how many hours of enjoyment, entertainment and fun problem solving we get I think its a steal.

Another quote I hear alot when they are selling their equipment is that "Im not going to get my money back" or "im at a loss because I put X amount into it"but my opinion on that is, isnt all the countless hours of entertainment from the aquarium where your money went? So the amount of money that the product depreciated, is the cost for all the good times with the tank, so enough of that nonsense

 

[JLAudio]

I know the feeling, I keep saying the same thing. My tank is totally packed, but I keep moving things around just for that last piece that I just have to have.lol I haven't been to the Hair stylus in over 2yrs., the manicurest over a year. Haven't bought myself anything, except for stuff for the hobby.LOL

To your second statement; I wonder how many are addicted to smoking? I am, so I know I am pre-deposed to addictions. With a alcoholic grandfather, and a couple of heroin addicted uncles, well I think that says it all.

Im the same way, with my reef I say "its only $100" but with going to dinner "a $100 for just a meal!".

In regards to the addiction coorelation, I also have wayyy too many individuals in my family that suffer from severe drug addiction and I think comparing my addiction with theres, was another inspiration for this thread.

I am not a smoker or drug user (ok I have a drink or two, or 3 or 4.....) but I am always logical and drink when its appropriate, and dont when in its not. With my reef I find myself using my credit card when im already maxed out on like 3 of them. Thats where I see the problem

By nature I am a bit impulsive and neurotic about a few specific things, possible personality traits that may add to this hobbies addictive qualities. My fridgerator is a mess, as my car and my room, but my fish tank I will clean with a tooth brush to get off some salt. HELPPPP MEEE!