30 Totally Legal Addictions That People Just Can't Quit

Most of us are familiar with habit-forming substances prohibited by the US and other countries. But plenty of perfectly sanctioned items/activities also have their draw...

Satisfied Customer / Via giphy.com

So redditor u/inNoutCross posed the question: "What are you addicted to that is perfectly legal?"

The answers seem pretty harmless at first, but when moderation has flown the coop, well...we may have a problem. Check out the top responses below.

(Note: Alcohol and cigarettes appear in the thread, but they're definitely harmful, so I left them out here. If you struggle with alcohol or another addiction, please check these resources from American Addiction Centers.)

1."The praise and approval of others."

Front view of a crowd of people cheering

2."Coca-Cola and instant ramen."

u/reliabilityprince

3."Buying video games and never playing them."

A man at a video game store with shelves full of games, pulling one out and looking at it with a half smile

4."Going back to sleep after I wake up."

Boomerang Official / Via giphy.com

u/Reasonabledeity

5."Pringles."

u/MegotScared

6."My computer."

paulbip / Via giphy.com

u/itzblupancake

7."Caffeine."

Top view of a cup of coffee with some cream inside swirling as it mixes

8."Houseplants."

"I have so so so many houseplants that when friends who haven't been over before come over, I get a lot of 😳😯😲 faces, followed by intense questioning.

Short version summation: It takes a whole day to check and water everyone. I use 16 gallons of water a week. No, not everyone is watered every week. Yes, I've killed a lot while learning how to houseplant. IDK for sure but close to 400 most likely."

u/skaryskara

9."Lying around and never getting anything done."

Kenzie / Via giphy.com

u/intangible62

10.Relatedly... "Procrastination."

u/SwedishHamster

11."My phone."

"Anyone else feel ashamed when they get their 'weekly screentime' report?"

u/badassjeweler

12."Staying up late to enjoy the peace and quiet that comes at 1 a.m."

A starry sky with the lighting as a gradient from dark at the top to lighter at the bottom

13."Sugar."

Fox / Via giphy.com

u/FrecklesJai

14."Lip balm."

u/allanmonroe

15."Using cotton swabs in my ears."

Cotton swabs arranged in diagonal rows across a bright background

16."Chronic masturbation."

u/el_ray_o

17."Food delivery."

Two paper bags with receipts stapled to them next to a cup of to-go coffee sitting outside a door

18."Chocolate."

Close-up of liquid chocolate splashing up

19."Spicy food."

"It tastes so good."

u/ForgottenForce

20."Naps."

A woman on a futon with a pillow wearing big headphones, eyes closed

21."Reddit."

u/-eDgAR-

22."Wikipedia."

"I guess it's not a terrible habit to have, but I spend a lot of time on Wiki Marathons."

u/fleischio

23."Gummy bears."

Overhead view of a huge mass of gummy bears

24."Sunflower seeds."

u/ThePresident26

25."Biting my nails and picking at them."

Nickelodeon / SpongeBob Squarepants / Via giphy.com

u/celesteshine

26."Showers."

"I take three a day, but I don’t smell like shit."

u/ingenious_red

27."Spending money."

GIPHY CAM / Via giphy.com

"That doesn't mean I have a whole lot of money to spend — I just can't seem to stop looking at store apps or yard sales or going out to eat when I don't need to. My wife reins me in for a lot of it, but I impulse-buy shit I absolutely don't need all the time. Maybe it's more of an impulse control problem, but it typically always involves money. For example, I bought custom eye contacts based off the Rinnegan and another Mangekyou Sharingan from the show Naruto... I'm 33."

u/wohsedis77

28."Dog collars and dog gear."

"I have one dog. And like 120-plus fancy collars for her. I had to unfollow collar makers because I can't stop myself from overbuying sometimes, LMAO, but it makes me happy, and I never have gone broke over it. I just know I look insane with that many collars, leashes, bandanas, etc."

u/Rhisper

29."Beat Saber. I'm a 44-year-old dad."

VR Here / Via giphy.com

"On my second game ever, I almost scored a perfect on a 'hard' level, missing only three blocks. I've been hooked ever since..."

u/II_Confused

30."Vacuuming. I can’t stop, and I won’t stop."

A man in a small apartment vacuuming behind a desk chair using a handheld stick vacuum

Is there a totally legal something you just can't quit? Let us know in the comments!

H/T: Ask Reddit!

(Note: Some answers have been edited for length and/or clarity.)