Tattoo Addiction?

Before going to get ink'd, I never believed the whole "Tattoos can be addicting" thing. It probably wasn't the smartest thing for a person like me (an addict with an addictive personality) to go get a tattoo. Either way, I did. Now I can totally see why and how people become addicted. I have so many more planned out.. I don't know if I have enough room on my body.. 
Following are some legitimate reasons why people develop an addiction to tattoos:

1. Adrenaline: Adrenaline junkies, like me, obviously dig this.
2. Endorphins: These lovely, little things clearly make people feel better. They are also released during sex, exercise, and anything else that triggers a natural high. 
3. Pain Substitution/Self-Mutilation: Again, this is an intoxicating high that releases endorphins. They are also released when cutting. Tattoos are simply a more socially acceptable form of self mutilation. This puts the addict in control of something when they feel as if they have no control over anything else in their lives.  
4. Attention/Social Interaction: In some cases, NOT ALL, tattoos can be a form of attention-seeking. Because of the permanence of the tattoos, they are ranked in a different category as piercings or blue hair, etc. Also, tattoos can, and commonly are, used as conversation starters with strangers. 
5. Self Expression: Most who have tattoos will tell you that each of has some sort of significance to them. This is more commonly found in people who have trouble communicating in others ways with people. However, most who have tattoos fall into this category.
6. Rebellion: This is not only common among teenagers, but also adults. Examples of this may include a tattoo of the rebel flag or an icon that represents rebellion against society. 
7. Addiction Substitute: A study shows that there is a psychological link between tattoos and substance abuse, suicide attempts, and personality disorders. As I've talked about before, addicts commonly substitute one drug for another - a drug being anything that changes one's mood. 
8. Therapy: In many cases, this serves as a person's coping mechanism. I know it worked for me. That's probably not a good thing. 
9. Collection: Some people like to collect bottle caps or unique rocks. Others like to collect tattoos on their bodies to show off always. 

With that said, I believe I will become a tattoo addict. I currently only have one.. "Just for today" on my wrist, but I have many more planned out. Just to show how crazy accurate this information is, I'll share my characteristics of the above qualities often linked to tattoo addiction. They include being an adrenaline junkie, loving the way the release of endorphins feels (I used to be a cutter), self mutilation (former cutter), self expression, definitely rebellion, addiction substitute, and therapy. Eventually, it may become a collection thing for me and, as far as I know, it could subconsciously be an attention-seeking thing. Wow, this is crazy. 


Be smarter than me. Know yourself. If you have an addictive personality, you probably want to abstain from tattoos. Then again, it isn't all bad. Make sure you think through all your consequences thoroughly before making a rash decision. 




Until next time, God bless!