17 Strange Addictions People Actually Have But Don’t Talk About

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While some addictions, like those to substances or certain behaviors, are widely recognized and discussed, there are many unusual and lesser-known addictions that people quietly grapple with. These addictions can range from odd to downright bizarre, but they’re all very real for those who experience them. Here’s a look at some of the stranger addictions that people have but often keep under wraps.

Obsession with Peeling Labels

For some, the act of peeling labels off products provides an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. This can escalate into an addiction, where the urge to peel becomes a constant, compelling need.

Craving Laundry Detergent

There are individuals who develop a craving for the scent and sometimes even the taste of laundry detergent. This unusual addiction can involve sniffing or in rare cases, consuming small amounts of detergent.

Eating Ice

Known as pagophagia, some people have an insatiable urge to chew and consume ice cubes constantly.

Sniffing Gas

The strong smell of gasoline can be addictive to some, leading them to regularly inhale its fumes.

Eating Dirt

Geophagia is the compulsion to eat earth, soil, or clay, and it’s more common than you might think.

Pulling Hair

Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder where individuals can’t resist the urge to pull out their own hair.

Eating Chalk

Some people are drawn to the texture and taste of chalk, consuming it regularly.

Collecting Dolls

While collecting is a common hobby, some individuals develop an obsessive need to acquire and surround themselves with dolls.

Tanning

Some individuals become addicted to the process of tanning, whether it’s under the sun or in tanning beds, chasing a perpetual tan.

Drinking Blood

Known as Renfield’s Syndrome, some individuals have a compulsion to drink blood, whether animal or human.

Eating Glass

Hyalophagia is the compulsion to consume glass. It’s incredibly dangerous but is a real addiction for some.

Watching TV

While many of us enjoy a good binge-watching session, some people’s lives revolve entirely around their television habits.

Using Hand Sanitizer

Especially relevant in recent times, some individuals have developed an addiction to constantly applying hand sanitizer.

Chewing Rubber Bands

The texture and act of chewing rubber bands can become a compulsive behavior for some.

Swallowing Stones

Some individuals have the urge to swallow small stones, a behavior that can lead to serious health complications.

Biting Nails

While common, chronic nail-biting, or onychophagia, can become a severe and uncontrollable addiction for some.

Collecting Trash

Hoarding discarded items or trash can become an obsessive behavior, with individuals unable to part with seemingly worthless items.

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