Although “tattoo addiction” is not a medically diagnosable condition, it’s possible for people to develop obsessive behaviors around tattooing. Like other behavioral addictions, theoretical “tattoo addiction” involves compulsive thoughts and behaviors around excessive tattooing regardless of a desire to cut back or concerted efforts to stop. In such cases, feelings of remorse or regret accompany each new tattoo.
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Are Tattoos Addictive?
The verdict as to whether tattoos are addictive or not is still out there. Though tattooing doesn’t meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for an official addiction, the impulse to get more tattoos is often referred to as tattoo or ink addiction. The act of getting tattooed itself is not considered an addiction/addictive behavior.
Addiction, itself, is defined by “an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it is causing psychological and physical harm.”1 In this case, a “tattoo addiction” would be defined within the parameters of a compulsive behavior causing psychological and physical harm.
Feelings of regret, remorse, and otherwise oftentimes follow tattooing when one did so out of impulse rather than a genuine desire to get the tattoo—especially if the tattoo is one that does not align with one’s personal beliefs or values. For example, getting a tattoo for the sake of being tattooed may eventually lead to one regretting the decision and wishing to have placed more thought into what was tattooed.
Tattoos go back as far as 4,000 or more years, as evidenced by mummies extracted from ancient pyramids.2 They remind us of who we are, where we came from, and perhaps even where we want to go in life. Choosing to be tattooed provides an opportunity to alter one’s appearance toward what is believed to be something more positive.3 This is important for enhancing self-image and esteem, and research has indicated that those who chose a meaningful tattoo were met with improved self-esteem, which ultimately improves overall well-being.4
When Can Tattoos Become a Problem?
Tattooing becomes problematic when it exceeds one’s ability to control it. That is, even in the face of no longer wanting tattoos, one continues getting them to resolve an impulse. Internal dialogue may become a vicious debate in which the impulse always wins. Despite all logic and reason, tattooing continues despite personal and social consequences.
Signs that getting tattoos is becoming a problematic behavior include but are not limited to:
- Spending too much money on tattoos
- Struggling to find employment due to professional appearance concerns
- Health consequences (i.e., allergic reactions, skin infections, bloodborne diseases)
- No longer finding meaning or appreciation in tattoos on one’s body
- Having a desire to stop or making attempts but continuing to get tattooed anyway
- Struggling with one’s personal appearance specific to tattooing
- Low self-esteem, self-image, and otherwise consequent to tattooing
- Spending extended periods of time thinking about, planning to, and getting tattooed
- Experiencing extensive urges to get tattooed and experiencing withdrawal when not
- Getting tattooed more so to experience the physical pain than anything else
- Using tattooing as an avoidance approach from other pressing life issues
- Continually getting tattoos and having them removed
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What Makes People Want More Tattoos?
There are many reasons why people want more tattoos. Tattooing, itself, is a healthy expression of self. There are physiological, emotional, and spiritual reasons that people decide to get tattooed. Oftentimes, people carefully consider what they want tattooed and why before making the final decision. Though these reasons vary significantly, to each their own. These reasons may include but are not limited to a release of adrenaline and endorphins, the type of pain that “hurts so good,” emotional commitment, creative expression, spiritual significance, and commemorating life events and milestones.
Adrenaline
The release of adrenaline is a naturally occurring stress response within the body’s fight, flight, or freeze response. When released in small doses, it provides the feeling of superhuman strength—giving the feeling that one is on top of the world. But too much of it is ultimately toxic to one’s system.
Specific to tattooing, the anticipation of and pain one experiences from the tattooing needle oftentimes leads to an adrenaline rush.5 This naturally occurring rush may feel as or more euphoric than sexual intercourse, substance use, and other pleasure-inducing experiences.
Given the level of anticipation with any first experience, those getting tattooed tend to feel the greatest adrenaline rush then. Subsequently, individuals continue seeking this rush, which may be a reason why they continue getting tattooed. And this effect is like what one experiences with any other substance or process of addiction.
Typical sensations experienced during an adrenaline rush include:5
- Having an increased heart rate
- Feeling less pain
- Having jitters or a restless feeling
- Feeling as though senses are heightened
- Feeling stronger
Endorphins
Endorphins are released during the process of being tattooed. Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals released when an individual experiences pain, engages in physical exercise, and experiences an orgasm.6 These natural chemicals are powerful and resemble the feeling one experiences under the influence of opiates and opioids, which are highly addictive substances. Like an adrenaline rush, individuals experience a euphoric sensation and reduced pain, which serves as encouragement to continue getting tattooed.
For many, it is possible to experience an adrenaline rush going into the tattoo appointment followed by the release of endorphins as inflammation occurs during the tattooing process.6 Given that this combination may be difficult or even impossible to replicate without the use of substances of abuse, there is further incentive to continue tattooing. This temporary release of endorphins may also serve to mask other physical and emotional pain one continually experiences. In this case, endorphins released from the tattooing process provide physical and emotional comfort.
Pain
While many people cringe at the thought of pain, some people enjoy it.6 Pain serves as an indication that our body is in danger in some way. Typically, when we feel pain, we do whatever is necessary to alleviate it. In other cases, pain can be a sensation that helps people feel alive. Consider individuals who may or may not have diagnosable mental health disorders who struggle emotionally—feeling numb or wanting to completely escape something.
Given the powerful sensation created by pain, one can find temporary relief by tattooing. Feeling something is better than feeling nothing, and when one is in an emotionally painful place, physical pain may be less intense. The pain from tattooing may also distract from other physiologically chronic pains.
Further, there are those who perceive pain as a symbol of strength. Socially, when people see others with numerous tattoos, they know that person has experienced much painful time under the needle. Accordingly, the image may be that one is tough and can readily withstand pain.
Financial Commitment
Tattooing something permanently on your body is a big commitment financially. Tattoos can be more or less expensive depending on the type of tattoo, experience of the artist, and so on. And removal is oftentimes much more expensive. In this respect, tattooing may be seen as a status symbol of wealth in some cultures and subcultures. Just as compulsively shopping beyond your means and harming you and your family’s finances is a sign of shopping addiction, so too can compulsive tattooing that stresses your finances.
Emotional Commitment
Although significant advancements have been made insofar as tattoo removal strategies, people generally intend to keep their tattoos for the long haul. That is, the intention is a lifelong commitment. Though human beings are alike in many ways, what sets us apart is what makes us unique. But the more one stands out, typically, the more attention one receives—whether negative or positive.
With an intent to change oneself for the positive, this emotional commitment may lead to increased self-esteem, self-image, and overall self-concept. One feels better about oneself looking in the mirror and standing taller in public. Should the tattoo be one that someone does not want, however, and acted on impulse, the emotional effect may be the complete opposite, which resembles similar consequences to that of any other addiction.
Creative Expression
Getting art on one’s body is a creative expression that oftentimes keeps people coming back for more. Despite the variation of appearance from one person to the next, most people come with similar features. Tattooing allows one to use the body as a pallet to express that which one finds most important. This may include anything from a creative expression of spirituality, nature, one’s calling and passions, favorite cartoons or sports teams, or family and friends. People even document their struggles and triumphs with mental health tattoos.
Tattoos are a conversation piece in social settings, especially when others have tattoos to compare. For those who are especially into creative expression, it is a permanent expression that is always with them. While it may be difficult to always carry around pieces of art such as paintings and sculptures, tattoos are always carried on one’s person. Many can be readily shared such as by having a tattoo on one’s arms and wearing short sleeves. To this extent, others may have a better idea of what one appreciates from a creative standpoint when tattoos are visibly present than not.
Spiritual Significance
When it comes to mental health, we oftentimes talk about the significance of the mind-body-spirit connection. Spirituality may or may not entail religion and may be expressed in many ways. However, the significance of spirituality cannot be understated. Whatever one believes spiritually is deeply ingrained—influencing the way one perceives and responds to the world.
By expressing one’s spirituality in a tattoo, the feeling may be one that is fulfilling and telling to everyone else what one believes. From a psychological perspective, expressing oneself authentically is among the most enriching ways of maximizing life potential. Given the weight of spirituality, expressing oneself with a tattoo may help one feel even more connected—not only in this life but beyond.
Commemorate Major Life Events & Milestones
For many, tattoos are used to commemorate major life events. While some people may minimize the number of tattoos by tattooing what they perceive as most significant, others may continue tattooing—essentially creating a visual timeline of major life experiences. These life events and milestones may be positive or negative but are significant enough that one wants to retain them forever
Whatever the commemoration, the tattoo serves as a continued reminder of influences that have significantly impacted one’s life. In this respect, they may also serve to designate membership within a particular group that serves as a source of pride.
Common reasons people get tattooed as a means of commemorating major life events and milestones may include but are not limited to:
- Getting engaged or married
- Having children
- Memorializing significant others both living and passed (people and animals alike)
- Graduating high school, college, or graduate school
- Righting an initiation such as in the military or other organizations
- Celebrating a victory such as earning a gold medal in the Olympics, winning a Super Bowl, or getting a big job
- Overcoming something challenging such as a physical illness or disability
- Remembering significant events where people have fallen such as wars, terrorist attacks, et cetera
Final Thoughts
Addiction is a serious mental health condition, but if you enjoy the experience and it’s safe, getting more tattoos is fine. But when the experience becomes something undesirable and unenjoyable that begins impacting you mentally, physically, spiritually, or socially it may be time to take pause and consider the true rationale underlying the perceived need to continue being inked. In these cases, it is likely that something much deeper is occurring that can be better addressed in therapy. In those cases, finding a therapist whom you can trust and connect with will be important. Whether “tattoo addiction” exists or not, it is clear that it can be problematic in certain circumstances.
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