Why Did I Overdose?

Over the edge and didn’t like it. Be careful my friends.

I can’t believe it happened. I was always the guy who preached caution and avoided danger. Too smart to get hooked. Never went around the social media stuff. Didn’t need it. Didn’t want it. Everyone who knows me, knows.

And then it happened. It wasn’t on purpose. I thought a little bit would be OK… and then I would stop after just a little more.

Left Alone With the Screen

You see, I was home alone after my wife left town to see friends.

I’ve been writing on Substack regularly for about four months, trying to be useful to others somehow. Substack was my first real experience showing up in the digital domain - aside from LinkedIn, which was publisher driven after my first book was released.

Substack writing led to producing video clips to help build an audience for the writing.

And then TikTok (of all things) to push life growth messages to a larger audience of content consumers.

And then Instagram, because pretty sure I have a dormant account I could post clips to.

The Scroll Spiral

And then, since screen time is so fluid, scrolling YouTube police chase videos because… well, I don’t know why about that. I dozed off a couple of times, opened a bottle of wine and… well, please understand if I don’t make a full confession right here, right now.

And then later. BOOM! Lights out. Sunset and a dead phone battery.

I had just spent the entire day with my nose in a screen, chasing the next microdose of digital dopamine. Reaching out for views, likes, shares and thrills. It is embarrassing to think about. It really was an overdose experience. Who knows how long I would have kept “using” if the battery didn’t run out.

A Wake-Up Call

Seriously, friends, this digital world stuff is scary addictive. I know, you knew.

I just found out. First hand.

Thank God I’m not an addict. Right?

Morning will tell. Back on my bike for a real, physical world experience. Or, heaven forbid, rationalizations which convince me waving a digital flag is somehow more important.

Please no, Lord. No.

Morning After Update

I busted out for an early ride. Experienced nature and interacted face to face with a real person. It felt good.

Now what? Never want another day like yesterday. Can I moderate digital dope or will overdoing it be unavoidable? I’ll keep you posted.

With love and support,
Craig

Craig A. Williamson
Lessons from Addiction
lessonsfromaddiction.com

📖 Read my book, Regarding Substance Abuse & Addiction, where I share real-world insights from firsthand experience - losing my only son to addiction.