by Virginia Allain

Created on: November 22, 2009

If you love to read, do you know when reading becomes more than just a pastime or hobby? Do you feel a strong need to read? Has your reading crossed the line into addiction? Here are steps to assess this and also to help you cope with your reading addiction.

Answer these questions to see if you are addicted to reading. Have you tried unsuccessfully to cut back on your reading? Are you preoccupied with thoughts of the

bookwhen you are away from it? Does reading help you escape from your problems? These are similar to questions used in surveys by the American Psychological Association to determine internet addiction and gambling addiction.

Actually maybe being a book addict isn't the worst thing in the world. I, personally, would like to see more book addicts. Wouldn't you rather have addictive personalities turned onto reading rather than to drugs? Just imagine, if teenagers after school couldn't wait to get a book instead of seeking out their local drug dealer.

If they were reading addicts, few people would try to change their behavior or ask them to get therapy. Reading, even in large amounts, is generally viewed as a positive activity. Everyone would admire such a wide background gained through reading

At what point does an addiction become a problem? When a need disrupts a marriage, leads people to commit illegal acts or to spend too much money, then it definitely is a social problem. Some people try to hide their addictions. They realize their behavior, whether it is excessive drinking or drug use, is not socially acceptable.

Make a list of problems associated with your reading. How many book groups do you belong to? Do you still recognize your family members when you pull yourself out of a book? Have you gone into debt buying books? Do you sneak out of work to visit a bookstore or library, just so you can be surrounded by books?

I probably would be classified as a binge reader. Sometimes I go weeks without reading, while at other times I devour several books in a row. I might read late into the night, not able to put the book down until the very end. I know I'll be sorry in the morning when it is hard to get out of bed. A novel is sometimes so compelling that I just can't tear myself away. Reading a really good book creates the desire to read more.

How would you classify your reading? Can you stop if you want to? Is it just social reading so you can discuss the book with friends and the book club? Is it compulsive reading that you can't stop doing? Consider how strong your need to read is.

I hope therapists never label it as a psychological disorder. Libraries would become those dens of iniquity where the reading addicts get their fix. Librarians would face prison terms for providing books to addicts. Books would carry labels warning CAUTION: this book could lead to addictive reading.

Maybe a ten-step program could be developed. People would attend the meetings, stand up and say, My name is ___, and I am a compulsive reader. When they felt the need to read, they could call another member who would help talk them out of it. Until that time, enjoy reading as much as you want.

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