Plenty of addictive substances wreak physical havoc on the body of the user. With these addictions, the government has stepped in to make a lawful incentive against using them.
But addictive behavior is just that--behavior.
It isn't confined to the worst of the worst. If an addictive tendency is present, it will find a way to rear its head in daily life.
And so even the most legal, seemingly innocent activities, foods, and items can become villainous sources of the problematic pull.
And arguably, they're the toughest addictions out there. After all, they're not bad enough to become illegal. So they're always around, up for grabs, calling people's name.
A recent Reddit thread pulled together some of the most insidious, above water behaviors and substances.
Account28784 asked, "What legal thing are you addicted to?"
Is Everyone Here Guilty?
"The internet in general, I hardly read anymore or do things I used to enjoy, I'm just hooked on the internet." -- sami2503
"Same. Yesterday I saw a thread about hobbies people have started up since the pandemic started and I've never felt so unproductive. I saved the thread to get ideas for new hobbies. But here I am - still on reddit" -- jasminel96
No Pull More Powerful Than the Biological Imperative
"Sugar" -- look_for_the_helpers
"Truly an addictive substance" -- unnaturalorder
"Sugar, could be the most addicting drug. I think people should shift their conspiracy efforts there. Lol everything has sugar, corn syrup, etc. causes health issues with how much access we have to it... obesity, diabetes, cancers, etc" -- Proto216
*Slightly Informed* Gambling
"Gambling on the stock market like a degenerate" -- CaptFeelsGay
"Oh, that can get real bad real fast if you start doing crazy sh** with options" -- throwaway8u3sH0
"I've always said that gambling stocks is the same as betting on black in a casino." -- crotts1229
Gimme Gimme Gummy
"Walmart sells generic fruit snacks that I swear have crack in them. I actually have to limit myself to only buying a box every three months because I will INHALE them." -- RedactedNPC
"For me it's Mott's fruit snacks. They're considerably more chewy than other fruit snacks i've had and they're so damn addicting." -- versionRaccoon
How Wholesome
"Drinking water" -- ultimatefinesser
"Yeah, I drink probably 5-7 liters a day. I honestly don't know how some people drink barely any - I'm always thirsty!" -- ctadgo
"Hydrate or diedrate" -- musicalwaluigi
Everywhere You Look
"Caffine. It's actually a very physically addictive drug." -- faget460
"I am as well. I've recently discovered the power of cold brew coffee and I'm hopelessly hooked. Every evening I set up my French press with coffee and put it in the fridge for morning. It's delightful but it has me by the balls." -- eternalrefuge86
"I'm worthless before having some kind of caffeine." -- PMYOURBOOBOVERFLOW
Corporate Treats
"Subway's Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are just so much better than anything I can make myself. Heat em'in the microwave for 15 seconds and they taste as if they just came outa the oven."
"Reminds me of cookies my grandmother used ta make."
-- KPGamer2024
CONTACT
"Hugs. And my vibrator. But mostly hugs." -- mammatbone
"If only one could purchase a giant hugging vibrator." -- sQueezedhe
Would Be Tough to Legislate
"Getting really high, changing the color saturation on my TV to crazy purple and red and green and watching old godzilla movies while getting more higher" -- Recordcraptaker
"Love me som old Godzilla movies."
"There are some amazing ones and some real duds though. But it is all worth it in the end. Or so I tell myself after having watched all 33 movies..." -- Zahz
A Couple Classics
"My biggest addiction is my phone. Everyday is a battle to check myself and put it away. It got really bad during The lockdown to the point I was neglecting my family responsibilities."
"The other addiction I just picked up purposely is nicotine. I used to smoke a lot of hookah and missed the buzz id get. I don't like drinking so much so nicotine just gives the little buzz I need to stay sane."
-- sajoser17
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
@chefbenqc/Threads
@the_tre_haus; beckysolwold/Threads
Ron Jarvis/Facebook
@kasialove/Bluesky
Barbara Boetsch/Facebook
@maupt68/Threads
@leftofliberal2025/Threads
@pattistraus/Threads
@sugarpillseattle/Threads
@BlueJock/X
@SentientHaze133/X
@DivinyPete/X
@SeanCasten/X
@IAmJoeTrudeau/X
@sensiblemiddle/X