I recently realized the stark similarities between an addiction and a dedication.
Addiction:
A great interest in something to which a lot of time is devoted.
Dedication:
The quality of being devoted or committed to something.
It’s interesting how one is viewed as negative, while the other positive. Why’s that?
One could easily say, he is addicted to his job; or, he is dedicated to finishing this video game.
I’m willing to bet that the difference lies between the devotion one sees portrayed by another, and the value they place on said devotion.
Thoughts?
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 at 6:59 am and is filed under Musing and Writing Projects.
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Good point.
You know, in Cool Runnings they went sledding with no snow.
Agreed…
OK, to clarify the ice bit. Yes, there is ice at the top of the mountains; however, though bobsledding does take place in the mountains, we are not necessarily at the top of the mountain.
My two cents:
addiction: no self control, it controls you.
dedication: you have control, and can stop. (or rather, you choose when to focus on it or not.)
Are you sure there’s no ice? My sister sent me some photo’s of snow capped mountains when she was flying in to Utah…
I wrote this ditty (as I call them) and it reminded me of your first experience bobsledding,that you just shared.
To much to soon
Big balloon
POP!
Yep. Blacked out! I remember all of the first ride but the last third of the track. Barely came to to pull the brakes.
Addicted to speed. Dedicated to bobsledding.
I don’t black out anymore.
Oooh, sorry to hear that, Don. Do you remember anything about that first ride?
Okay….back to the subject. I had my own question after reading this. What is the difference between an addiction and an obsession? (I answered my own question, too.) To me, it’s all about passion. Some one might be “addicted” to nicotine, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re obsessed with it or passionate about it. Also, addiction to me is more of a physiological thing, in other words, they are addicted to the “high” or the “buzz” they feel or maybe like with your bobsledding, the adrenalin rush you get when you’re flying down the chute. So Don…let me ask YOU. Would you say, you’re addicted to, obsessed with or dedicated to bobsledding or “going fast”? Hmmmm? (I’m a Leo too!)
You blacked out??!!! How totally scary! Maybe your brain just saw what was coming and shut its eyes.
Oh, my! What’d you black out for? Was it the speed, or were you scared out of your wits?
I sure hope you don’t do that every time!
xox,
C.
I suppose you could, but Jeremy (bobsled team captain) is known as Iceman. They call me Blackout. I got my name from the first time I went down the chute; I blacked out.
I should start calling you Iceman… “I feel the need…the need for speed!”
How do you train in the summer months?
xox,
C.
All good points. I would say that I’m dedicated to Mac and addicted to going fast. Hence the reason I can’t stop thinking about bobsledding and there is no ice to be found.
What an interesting conundrum, ah it makes my poor old pre-Alzeimer’s brain cells spin. It’s walking a fine line between the two, but I would call an addiction something you are compelled to do to the exclusion of all else, a selfish act. To be dedicated indicates a strong loyalty, to be selfless. It’s all a matter of balance and limits. You’re such a deep thinker Don, I’m going to ask my kids what they think the difference is, it will be an interesting topic over dinner.
Does that mean if I look at your blog every day, it is an addiction or dedication, lol!
Religious conviction can manifest itself as both addiction and dedication, depending on who you are and what you experience out of it and how you perceive addiction versus dedication.
Hence why you get cries of “opiate for the masses” while a great number of people scream “No, devotion!” in protest and scorn.
You said “I�m willing to bet that the difference lies between the devotion one sees portrayed by another, and the value they place on said devotion.”
I think you are on to something!
( not to be confused with on something.)
My sister that works for Apple would say that a majority of people who are Apple freaks are addicted. She however is neither addicted nor dedicated, just there. I am seriously dedicated to Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes and Rickshaw Dumpling Bar Chocolate soup dumplings.
I doubt very highly Steve Jobs could give a rat’s patoot whether Mac users are “addicted” or “dedicated”…as long as patrons keep shelling out the bucks to buy his products!
Just like a Leo, to be rockin’ the boat!
Speaking of rocking the boat… are you ready for me to send a picture of my niece to you? I’m telling you Don..she’s a real looker!
(Even my husband said so. When I told him that I’d mentioned how cute she thought you were on your blog, he said, “Does he realize how beautiful she is?” So…don’t just take my word for it, even though I’m totally biased! 
xox,
C.
On a personal level to share I love to shop to the point I did some damaging things to us financially…This was an addiction! I still love to shop, however I do it now with the devotion to my family, house and whatever our needs are at the time. I am a bit smarter about shopping.But my question is, If you have plenty of money and shopping dosen’t hurt you financially is that an addiction? Or am I justifying my demons inside by that comment?
You know me… just rockin the boat. But, if I remember correctly, I got those definitions from the Mac dictionary. So, I think we take the matter to Steve Jobs.
Does he want people dedicated to Apple, or addicted?
I don’t know exactly where you got your definitions from, but here’s the definition of both words I found, using Dictionary.com:
American Heritage Dictionary – ad·dic·tion (ə-dĭk’shən) Pronunciation Key
n.
Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance: a drug used in the treatment of heroin addiction.
An instance of this: a person with multiple chemical addictions.
The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.
An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.
The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.
An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.
American Heritage Dictionary – ded·i·ca·tion (děd’ĭ-kā’shən) Pronunciation Key
n.
The act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated.
A note prefixed to a literary, artistic, or musical composition dedicating it to someone in token of affection or esteem.
A rite or ceremony of dedicating.
Selfless devotion: served the public with dedication and integrity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
According to these definitions of the two words, they couldn’t be more dissimilar. The primary difference is that addiction is a selfish act, while dedication is a selfless one.
You’re right… one can be “addicted to” things like work. But it’s the compulsion involved, and the wanton desire to be completely involved with this compulsion (so much so that one foregoes anything else, either positive or negative, in their lives) that makes addiction so negative.
On the contrary, being dedicated to something (or someone) involves being selfless…giving of yourself to devote your time and energy to this person, or thing. However, it does not involve putting every waking moment of your time into the thing.
My personal example: I’m dedicated to my husband and children, but I’m not addicted to them. I can focus on things other than them, if I choose to do so. Being addicted to them would mean that I would give up everything else in my life, and do whatever I could to be with them (or as close to them) as possible, to the point where it would be detrimental to me (and quite possibly to them, too).
Addiction involves compulsion. Dedication involves sacrifice. There’s a huge difference, in my opinion.
xox,
C.