Can SD Usage be Addictive?
Since last November when I first joined SD, I have found myself spending more and more time at my computer, not doing what I needed to do, but what I felt compelled to do. I found myself answering every question that I could, play every game that appealed to me, and commenting on every post in any thread in which I was involved.
I noticed "quehaceres" piling up around the house, tests that weren't being corrected and other sorts of symptoms of addictive behavior that I never noticed myself getting involved with before.
I love participating in SD very much and wish I had as much time to do it as many of the members here, but I think that if there are others like me out there that could become afflicted with addictive behavior, and neglect other more important aspects of their lives, it might be well to consider "backing off" somewhat.
I may be totally "all wet" on this, but I am seeking advice. I haven't posted too much lately. I can't go "cold turkey" on this, but I really need to watch myself. ¿Me pueden dar consejos sobre este asunto? ??
16 Answers
The answer is Y E S Dani.
They say: Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that they are not after you.
Well let me add: Just because you are addicted to SD doesn't mean its a bad thing.
Yes Dani, this is a very dangerous addiction that can ruin your life.. You will end up alone, in a dirty hovel, forgetting to eat. Your family will have left but you won't have noticed. It is serious, you may need to take professional advice, or take up drinking alcohol or smoking in the hope of spreading the problems out a bit. They are relatively easy vices to wean yourself off, SD is not.
You're right Dani Spanish dict is the most interesting site I've ever seen. you can say that here we are like a one family help each other, deal well with each other learn with each other and share our ideas as well. We really are lucky to be part of this site.And who can know great people like You,Amber,Sanlee, ian , Pablo,ray76 and every one here and leave you? In my first comment here i said " long live Spanish dict" and now again i will say
Long live Spanish dict for ever !
I tend a bit that way too, but I think it is possible to find a happy medium. My wife will throw fits if I spend too much time on the site, and I think she has led me to moderate it a bit. I always try to accomplish what I need to accomplish as the priority. But I can still feel the pull towards overdoing it and have to resist it. And one can see from the points totals that I was addicted to the flashcards at one point.
You are an important part of this community. I would hate to see you leave. I think people who participate too intensely can burn out- so I would rather that you back off as much as you need to in order to accomplish what you need, than overdo it until you reach the point of burnout and stop altogether, as some have through the years. Just find a rate of participation that is stable for your situation, don’t leave us.
Can SD usage be addictive? I don't think so. I mean, I've been here on a daily basis for years and it hasn't become an addiction for me. 
¿ Quieres decir esto ?
My dear friends:
The "mark as best answer" button is unused. I can not find a best answer. Every one of you has contributed "un poco" to my sanity. 
The best thing is that all of you have felt the unquenchable pull of doing the "SD thing" I work the hardest on the grammar questions, and generally spend more time on these than on the games. The games are easy for me
and I can usually come up with a short "pithy" saying then illustrate it with a picture. These usually involve about 20 minutes of my time--mostly looking for just the right picture. These usually get at least 5 votes, sometimes 10 or more showing that you-the family-appreciate what I do.
On the other hand I will spend considerably much more time on grammar--checking my answers with good Spanish reference material. The hardest part is boiling long explanations that can cause your eyeballs to spin, down to sharp concise easily understood answers. Now these will usually wind up with just a few votes. Go figure!
I thank you all for your contributions and understanding. I will participate as much as my time (and my therapist son) will permit. He is the most important part of my life now.
I really love and appreciate each and every one of you. ???
Daniela
For the spouses of users of Spanish Dict, cómo se dice en español 'Spanish Dict widow/er' ¿? !!!
Aparentemente también hay algunes que están adictos al golf, pero no entiendo esto...
Es verdad, Dani. Todos nosotros somos adictos. Pero es una buena adicción. Sólo tenemos que controlarlo.
Entiendo bien, Dani. Está bien a vivir tu vida real. Es la cosa lo más importante. Es increíble que una persona puede tener una mejor amiga por internet que ella nunca ha conocido.
B y A.
We used to be called"Spanishdictaholics"
Posted July 2013.
Margherite, If we can keep our heads when all about us are losing theirs, and blaming us for their losing. Then ours is the world , and which is more , we are" Spanishdictaholics.
Not asking for your vote; I just sharing 
Hi, Dani:
I have been somewhat addicted to SD, spending gobs of time on graphics and some amount of time trying to get my Spanish right (got a ways to go on that one 
). Some tasks have gone undone, others delayed. Also, I have found myself reading Spanish material less, which is not good. So I've cut back a bit and it's helped. Still, looking at the overall situation the consequences of my SD addiction has been minimal because of the all the good it has been to get involved in learning a new language and having fun doing it on SD. The biggest problem for me is not the addictive aspect, but coming to terms with the feelings I get when I don't get many votes.
Anyway, you're such a valuable part of SD that I hope you can figure out a way to maximize your participation on SD in a healthy, non-addictive way. The most important thing is that you do what's right for yourself. If you don't take care of yourself first, you can't help others, at least over the long term. So whether that means you reduce your participation or--ugh!--have to take a break or even leave, do what you have to do for yourself. This site is so special participants will be able move forward regardless of what you decide to do. I understand you're not considering leaving but just feel free to do what you need to do for yourself.
Your amiga Missy
Yes...sure, Daniela... .. it can be very addictive, especially if you enjoying helping other people! I have found myself losing all track of time and spending hours here and wondering where all the time had gone!
Habit forming of any kind can potentially be very addictive and I have to remind myself ....in a kind of silent self-talk that I really do have a life outside of 'Cyber World' lol
The reality is that no matter how much we love being here and participating in every thread that takes our fancy we do have work to go to and friends and family who need us, but enough about Spanish Dict lol hehehe (This is beginning to sound like a wedding speech lol)
Seriously, these days it can be really difficult to achieve a good, (effective) work/life balance anyway, before we even start to include internet activities ..but we share in helping out here ...and because many of us live in different countries we are not all online at the same time, so we can share the responsibilities of helping out whenever we can make/ find the time. This should help ese the pressure on all of us to feel that SpanishDict would collapse if we didn't spend every minute of the day answering questions and/or correcting posts!
It can be a bit addictive so I've slowed down on here after going crazy the first month after I joined. I'll do word and picture of the day because it's good practice. I also admit to you, I look up everything that you post (answers to others questions) because I know I'll likely learn something from it.
Quizás seas adicto si te encuentras mirando episodios anteriores de 'Breaking Bad' pero solo unos en cuales se habla español...
