I think that's a key observation. Some people get addicted to self harming, and some people don't. Some people are able to quit easily and some people aren't. I am glad you do not feel addicted. That will make it easier when you do decide to stop.

Agreed. That is why I believe for people who are addicted, that it is not an effective method of quitting to take a strict behavioral approach--trying to change the behavior without getting at the underlying cause. If the underlying issues can be solved, then it will be easier to quit self harming, or it may just stop on its own. That's how it was for me. Do you know what the underlying problem is for your cutting? I think that insight is very important for success in stopping.

I did it for emotional release. I kept all my feelings inside--I wasn't allowed to express them--and life was painful. Cutting let me release some of that pain. Because the act was associated with a release of that tension, plus the endorphins that have been mentioned, the behavior was very reinforcing. It felt really good to me. But when the problem(s) in my life were resolved, I never did it again.

If you are wondering if you might be addicted, why not try stopping for a while and see what happens? If you can't do that, then maybe you are addicted.

I thought your post was intelligent and curious. Good questions about addiction. Thanks.