| As a general rule, human beings tend to avoid pain | | | | more to self adornment, although of a more |
| and seek pleasure. Tattooing is known for being a | | | | permanent nature than most other forms. |
| bit painful. Conquering this fear can be exhilarating | | | | The argument for addiction to the process of |
| and can instantly result in one wanting more and | | | | being tattooed is that the recipient actually learns |
| more tattoos once they understand that they | | | | to get an endorphin high, a rush, while under the |
| can handle the sensation. This can, however, get | | | | needle (sound familiar?) and that that feeling is |
| a bit out of hand. Tattoos are a form of art and, | | | | what is craved. I don't know. I haven't spoken |
| like any form of art, too much of a good thing | | | | with anyone who has said they actually "crave" |
| can ruin the effect. One should always be sensible | | | | the process, but of course that doesn't mean |
| and thoughtful about their decisions regarding | | | | that such people don't exist. But from my |
| body modification.Tattoos say something about | | | | experience I would tend to say that this idea is |
| the bearer. Too many bad tattoos tend to say | | | | untrue and is probably put forth by people who |
| the bearer either has some personal issues or | | | | may have issues with tattoos or people who |
| that they don't put enough time into their choices, | | | | have them.I think the big argument for "addiction" |
| neither of which carries a particularly desirable | | | | is that the people who have them tend to want |
| implication. Those individuals who are | | | | more after their first. Well, this much is true. |
| heavily-tattooed but who have excellent work | | | | Again, from my own experience it would seem |
| didn't accomplish their look by impulsive decisions | | | | that people who get tattoos like tattoos, and |
| or as a result of being addicted to getting more | | | | therefore are more likely to be tattooed . . . |
| and more ink: They thought about every tattoo | | | | .more than once. Do I see a smile there? I hope |
| and only got the work done after making a | | | | so, because common sense will tell you that |
| decision that the tattoo was exactly what they | | | | enjoying something does not, in and of itself, |
| wanted. Make certain that one's intellect is always | | | | make it an addiction. Have you gone to more |
| in the driver's seat where choosing a tattoo is | | | | than one concert? Hmmm. You must be a |
| concerned. | | | | concert addict. Do you have more than one car, |
| There is an endorphin rush associated with | | | | one motorcycle?? Hmmm. More addictions. You |
| tattooing. This, in and of itself, can be very | | | | see what I'm getting at. The use of the word |
| addictive and is similar to "runner's high." Make | | | | "addiction" can be very inaccurate and like many |
| certain that any tattoo actually means something | | | | words in our language is subject to abuse and |
| and that it is an honest expression of one's self. | | | | misuse |
| Getting a tattoo just to get a tattoo defeats the | | | | Although it is certainly likely that for some people, |
| entire point. For thousands of years, human beings | | | | the process of being tattooed is an addiction, and |
| have modified their bodies for various reasons. | | | | for others the obtaining of more and more body |
| Shallow reasons which stem from an addiction to | | | | art is also an addiction, Pure numbers will certainly |
| the process really do nothing to advance the art | | | | verify that this is true although I have no data to |
| and will not serve one well in the long-term future. | | | | back it up. It would not be difficult to accept |
| One should never have to regret a tattoo.But the | | | | this.But for most of us, I would say that we are |
| subject of tattoo "addiction," indeed, the very use | | | | doing what we love because that is what gives us |
| of that word itself is a cause for a very different | | | | pleasure and enjoyment. It does not cause any |
| discussion. What really is addiction and is the desire | | | | harm to others in any way, nor to us ourselves if |
| for more tattoos or tattooing something that | | | | we are careful and do what we do responsibly |
| would fit into that mold? Well, there are basically | | | | and with care. Tattoo addiction, in the literal sense |
| two situations we might consider: the experience | | | | then, I see as a myth. But tattoo enjoyment . . . |
| of being tattooed which is a manageable pain, and | | | | .well, that's an other story. |
| the feeling of having them which would cater | | | | |