I don't mean this offensively; obviously, everyone's different. I've been doing it for a year and a half, and I don't consider it an addiction. I've never NEEDED to do it, I don't think. It hasn't gotten in the way of anything, and all my cuts and scars are primarily on my upper arm, back (belt), and chest. Most are covered up by short sleeve shirts. I'm new to this site, and I'm not sure I know what a trigger is, so I'll just throw out the warning anyway.

Here is a trigger warning.

Like that? Ok. So, yeah, I've had blood soak into a few shirts and sheets, maybe a drop on the jeans. Mostly comes out in the wash. Maybe I don't consider it an addiction because I've never tried to quit. I simply feel like it is a symptom, not the problem. Just like drinking, or not eating, or not getting out of bed. I'm certain there are folks to whom these would be the problems in and of themselves. I hope they don't think I'm saying anything about them. I'm basically just asking if I'm maybe addicted and don't recognize it. Has anyone else felt like they simply did it for stress relief, or self-punishment, or pretty colors, etc., and then come to find they can't quit when they try?

I'm certain I sound like a moron, so I'll probably delete this post soon.