- How do I consider this substance/behavior pattern a beloved “friend”?
I definitely spend way too much time watching shows on Netflix. It’s funny that the question asks how I view this substance as a “beloved ‘friend'” because I actually do start to feel like the characters in the shows are like friends that I go to at the end of the day. I get to know their personalities and their traits and in watching them interact with each other on the screen, I feel as though I am in that world with them. I empathize with them and I get angry at them and I care about them just like with real friends.
- How is it sensual (appeals to my senses)?
Netflix appeals to my senses because it can be visually and auditorily exciting. My emotions get invested in what I am watching, so in addition to my senses being stimulated, I am able to experience a whole range of emotions while watching.
- How does this substance/behavior pattern provide “healing” or is a “balm” to my emotional wounds?
Watching can be healing because it takes me away emotionally from what is happening in my own life. It is able to provide an escape from any stressors that I might be experiencing. It can also provide advice or life lessons by seeing how characters handle situations that I might be also experiencing.
- How my addictive substance/behavior pattern is hated – what has it “cost” me?
I am a bit of a procrastinator, so I often find myself watching Netflix instead of doing things I need to be doing. On the other hand, if it weren’t Netflix, I would probably find something else to procrastinate with. Also, when I have had a bad day, I often turn to watching Netflix instead of interacting with anyone, so I suppose it has cost me times when I could have been out making friends or fostering friendships that I already had.
- What might be a good resource or treatment method for a behavior change?
If I truly wanted to change my behavior, the best treatment would be to cancel my subscription so that I would be forced to stop watching.
Patti's Addictions Blog 
March 3, 2014 at 8:33 pm
Hi Patti,
I can truly sympathize with your experiences. I have found myself seeking also using Netflix as a “comforter” when I am experiencing various emotions, such as boredom, loneliness or sadness. It has allowed me to feel connected to someone or something even if it is a fictional character. It sometimes helps me realize that things in my life are really not bad and could be a lot worse. I too am sometimes distracted by the availability of movies at the click of a button. But with self-discipline and an accountability partner, my husband, I have been successful in limiting my movie watching. In fact several of the movies needed for our project are available on Netflix (via Wii). My husband has mentioned cancelling the subscription. I think I have successful in getting him not to; for now at least. Thanks for sharing!
March 4, 2014 at 5:13 am
Hi Patti,
Though I see social media at large like instagram and facebook as my de-stressors and also my addiction, I can see why Netflix is yours. That is one of the reasons why tv shows and movies have been around for so long. They give us a portal both visual and auditory to escape our mundane and/or stressful lives into other lives with other characters and experiences. Whether it is a comedy or horror (not for me) it takes us out of our own problems. Especially with subscriptions like Netflix, we don’t have to wait for next week to get the next episode of our great new show/addiction. We have the ability to watch a whole season in a weekend or day depending on your commitment and time availability. We as Americans want everything now at the touch of a button and netflix can provide that for us. I know when I watch a funny show or clip after a stressful day at work I feel the same sort of relief you describe when you get into a show with its characters. Even though you may feel as though Netflix is taking over your social life the good thing is when you meet new people you have topics and shows to talk about and you can always pause the show or series you’re watching and come back to it after you are finished socializing for that night! Netflix can even be a bonding experience in itself. My boyfriend and I because of our distance and busy schedules will sometimes watch a series on netflix together but separate. We will pick a show, watch the same episode in the same day or close to it and keep the pace together. Then we feel closer together, we have a shared experience and have one more thing we can talk about 🙂 happy Netflix-ing.