The 7 Warning Signals of Soap Opera Addiction

Soap Operas are woven into the fabric of the American culture. Mother, daughter, even grandmother have watched, "my story" or "my program" year after year. They spend inordinate amounts of time talking to friends, and relatives, trying to predict what will happen next to their favorite, most loved, or most hated character.

Sometimes, though, soaps can become more important than the "real" lives we lead. There are red flags that warn that the line has been crossed into soap opera addiction. After discussing this trend with several professionals, and a family of recovering soap opera addicts, these warning signals were compiled.

1) Multiple Viewing - The viewer begins to watch the program not only at it's daily scheduled time, but also catches another same day episode on Soap Net ( a cable network completely dedicated to soap opera). Some viewers tape the programs and watch them again later in the day - and spend their weekend watching "marathons" of a whole weeks worth of episodes.

2) Maniacal Spewing - The viewer will talk to anyone about the episodes. Mother, child, grandparent, friends, co-workers, person on the street or elevator - there is no one safe from the pressured dialogue about each and every episode and the "favorite character". The chief signal here is the emotional investment in the characters and storyline. Wide-eyed anger can be observed when the viewer discusses the most hated villan of the show. Tears will be shed at a death of a much loved character. Viewers have been known to mourn for weeks at a time over death or departure of one of these loved ones.

3) Genetic linkage - Soap opera addiction often runs in families. This is often seen when there is a mother or daughter addiction, - or even in some families, - a grandmother, mother and daughter linkage. Because this addiction is generally passed genetically through the mother- a son can be involved -but is often more afraid to admit the problem and so will not seek help as soon as their female counterpart.

4) Public Humiliation - This is closely tied to a loss of reality. Mary Ritzhouse, the recovering soap opera addict who was one of the subjects of a study done on soap opera addiction - said that she finally gained insight into her problem one day - when she noticed two co-workers standing by the water cooler pointing at her and laughing. She over heard them say, " She acts as if those people are real! WTF!" She stated that after this occasion - she went to the ladies room, where she broke down into sobs. Her boss ( a recovering S. O addict, as well) found her there. Her boss helped her get the professional help she needed.

5) Financial Hardship - As the viewer sinks deeper into the addiction - they begin to plan their lives around events and other ways to become more immersed in the soap opera world. A recovering viewer, who wished to remain anonymous said," " I saved all my money to go to the events like Fun in the Sun- where all the soap opera stars would be, hoping for a glimpse-I also went to the Soap Conventions that are held every year. I still have copies of Soap World, and Soap Opera Digest from the beginning of their publication dates. I have not been able to get rid of them. Last week I spent the whole weekend in bed watching soap marathons and leafing through the magazines. Where did I go wrong?" The tear-stained face of the anonymous viewer is, sadly, a frequent part of the soap opera addict who is caught up in the never ending cycle of the daily fix.

7) Lack of Social Skills - Because the soap addict spends excessive and undue amounts of time feeding the addiction - "real" people and relationships cannot be cultivated. The only real time people that are involved in the soap opera addict's life are normally other addicts - those who are suffering with the same patterns and habits. Often, soap opera addicts are also co-dependent upon other soap addicts to feed the immeasurable need for information regarding each moment and sequence of the daily line up.

As is apparent, soap opera addiction is a serious and hard-to-recognize illness. Recovery is difficult- if not impossible. The constant cultural pressure on the addict to repeat their pattern daily is unbearable for most addicts who have developed this addiction over a period of years, if not decades. The familial element is also at work to reduce the will power to stop. Mary Ritzhouse, the recovering addict, who received professional help, is still taunted daily by her daughter, Betty. Betty has called her through the week with harassing telephone messages such as; " Would you like to know who killed Dixie?" and " C'mon, MOM, why not just watch one show? That can't hurt you!" Mary is certain that Betty is in denial about her own soap opera addiction.

Help is available through local churches and health fitness centers. A new group by the acronym WASOPAAWCHI (We Are Soap Opera Addicts And We Can't Help It) has formed to bring together those who suffer and want to whine about it. The founder of the group, Lydia S. said she has great hopes for the organization that is based on the teachings of Agnes Nixon. When asked about the future of the organization, Lydia firmly stated, " We'll see what happens - tomorrow".