Confessions of a Mobile Phone Addict (Buyers Guide: Mobile Phones)

Member Name: flowermouth

Product:	Buyers Guide: Mobile Phones
Date:	08/07/01 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fun, mobile, small

Disadvantages: addictive, addictive, addictive

I used to look down on Mobile Phones. ‘Only the weak needs them’ I would think aloud. I thought they were just a fashion item, when really, there is no need for them. I thought I would never get involved with something like that. I was wrong.

I was curious. My other half invested in one and then I thought that I would have to get one, I didn’t want to feel left out now did I? I walked to the Mobile Phone shop that my other half got his from and looked around the array of telephones. They were so small and cute! Tiny little buttons and green screens. I could resist any longer. I purchased a small Vodafone networked phone, the sales assistants called them ‘handsets’ I thought that must be the medical name for them.

When I got home I unwrapped the fresh item very carefully and held it my hand. It was so smooth and tiny. It fitted perfectly in my hand. It felt good. I charged it up immediately. I waited patiently next to the charging phone for hours, I could go to sleep, and I had to be there when it was ready. Several hours passed and I realised that my new baby was ready. I pulled the charge plug out and held the ‘handset’ in my hand. It was beautiful. I punched in the number of my boyfriend and called him. ‘Hi babe! It’s working!’ I was so happy. We chatted for a few minutes and then I thought I should insert some numbers in my Mobile address book. For the rest of the evening I called everyone I knew. I fell asleep with my new friend in my hand.

As the days passed I discovered the joy of texting. That was when my addiction started to show its ugly head. For those of you who don’t have mobile phone you won’t understand the thrill we get when we get a text message. When you hear that beep, we get a short ‘hit’, our blood pressure changes, seretonin is raised within the brain and we feel a bit better about ourselves – it̵
7;s like that message means someone out there loves you! I would text back immediately. My fingers would move over the soft buttons so effortlessly that I almost didn’t have to think about it.

This behaviour continued for sometime. It got worse. I found that if I didn’t get a text message for a while I would get agitated, I would feel depressed. Then, when I would hear that beep, I would feel all right for a while, but the feeling returned. The most terrible feeling would be when I would hear the beep go to my mobile and then realise it wasn’t me but someone else. That was terrible because I got the high and then it was taken away from me as if it was taunting me. I was becoming dependent on my Mobile Phone.

I soon realised that this was not normal behaviour. It got to a stage that I was eager to receive a message or a call that I would text just absolutely everybody with pointless silly little messages so I would get a response. Sometimes I would just quote song lyrics or just text ‘hi, how are you’ even though I had just spoken to them. My habit was costing me a fortune. I was on the Vodafone contract and was spending over £150 a month. It was spiralling out of control.

I decided to not renew my contract after one year of being an addict. It was hard work, believe me. I felt naked without my Mobile. I would be on the train on my way home after work and have nothing to do. I thought to myself ‘What did I do before to pass the time?’ It was like loosing a close friend that I depended on. My friends didn’t help, they all still used their Mobiles in front of me, and I felt sick like I was going to throw up. Sometimes I did, but slowly I got over it. Every now and then I would get a feeling of freedom, not being able to be contacted, it was wonderful. Other times however, I was a lost soul. Of course there were times when I actually needed my Mobile. I was once stranded
at a train station with no telephones and no way of contacting anyone. I would think that I used to live without a Mobile before though, I’ll do it again. Like I said, it was hard work.

I still long for my ‘handset’ occasionally. Sometimes, I will play ‘Snake’ on a friends phone, just to see if I’ve still got it. As times passes though, I’m glad I gave it up. I just hope I can stay strong.

Be very careful.

Summary: