Originally Posted by
JBHoren
"Cruisin'"... "Road Trip"... ring a bell? Undoubtedly, driving to/from work, shopping, etc. are "purposeful" forms, and probably make up the largest part of miles-driven; but driving as a means of alleviating boredom is a not-insignificant use, as well. As I understand it, "addiction" has physical and behavioral components, and many addicts "recover" by switching substances. Do they cease being addicts? Again, from those whom I know, no, they do not. Many (most?) Americans are not "self-entertaining", relying on (dependent upon?) external stimulation. Driving provides that... a lot; after all, car manufacturers don't advertise their products as "transportation", do they?
It's only an "addiction" if you start to not being able to afford it... Whatever it is, afford it meaning not being able to afford the money it takes to do something (whatever that is), not being able to keep normal life interactions alive with others, or health issues a combination of all three... As long as you can afford it money wise and it doesn't cost you the friendships or significant other leaving (because of it), or your health deteriorating it's just a hobby that some may disapprove of, or a life style choice that some people disapprove of...
