Teen Addiction… and Recovery
The saddest part of lip balm addiction is that it ensnares people as young as five years old or even younger. Unlike cigarettes, alcohol, or hard drugs, it is socially acceptable to get your kids balmed. The inherent dangers of such practices are described in this testimony we received this week.
After ten years of a crippling addiction to Blistex, I am finally free. My name is Sarah and I am fifteen years old. When I was at the tender age of just five, my poor, uninformed mother noticed that my little lips were badly chapped.
And so the addiction began.
Blistex Lip Medex
I can recall several mornings when we were standing outside my house, and I would suddenly exclaim, “Mommy! I FORGOT TO PUT ON LIP MEDICINE!” Little drama queen (and addict) that I was, I would proceed to scream, cry, and wave my little pudgy arms in practical hysteria as my dear mother sprinted into the house, grabbed the little barrel of evil, sprinted back outside to her bawling daughter, and applied it to my dependent lips, all before the bus even arrived to take me to Kindergarten. Over the years, it saddens me to tell you that my addiction only worsened. Blistex became my constant companion, always ready and eager to soothe my lips (and my soul). Sadly, I had no idea of the danger of my obsession until my mother happened to inform a friend of hers of how much I adored Blistex. He quirked an eyebrow and wondered suspiciously, “When she puts it on, does it tingle?” My mother, of course, had no idea what he could mean by this strange question, and when she relayed it to me, I, too, was oblivious. Finally, the turning point in my painful addiction: I happened to Google “dependence on Blistex,” and a world opened up to me. I discovered that there were two dangerous ingredients in Blistex, Camphor and Menthol (which cause a tingling sensation), that had led not only to a weakening of my poor lips but also to further dryness, thus increasing my want (and need) for the malevolent Blistex.
I was distraught; I had nowhere to turn. How could I destroy my addiction when it had all but consumed me?
Finally, the heavens smiled upon me: I stumbled upon Lip Balm Anonymous. Without your fantastic web site and liberating 12-step program, I would surely be applying Blistex at this very moment! I just had to write you and thank you for the wondrous new life you have given me! “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!”
Very Sincerely and with Many Thanks,
Sarah
i am soooooo adicted to vaseline, it started about 7 years ago when i discovered how soft it made my lips feel! it has to be with me ALL the time or i have panic attaks! i go though 1 tin in about 2 weeks, its beyond the joke i cant stop using it! it rules my life! i often wake up in the middle of the night 3 or 4 times to apply! i dont know whats wrong with me!
Ok people…I hate to say it…there is no addiction to lip balm as far as addictive ingredients…the addiction is PURELY psychologial and the need for constant moisture…yes, this is an addiction in itself…perhaps borderline OCD. I am a user…for as long as I can remember (I’m 35 now) I have been using lip balms. I never use Carmex, Blistex, or any of the balms containing menthol, clove, or any of the minty things, as I find personally it dries me out and makes me chapped faster if I haven’t “used”…I have recently become a fan of “YES To Carrots” melon kind. The reason I am writing right now is because in the last week, no matter how many times I put some on (literally every 3-5 mins), my lips are burning, feel dry, and now have little red burning spots on the top and bottom. I do NOT lick my lips…if they feel dry, I use a balm. I wish I didn’t have to but I know when I have tried to stop “using” a balm, I can’t deal with the dryness and burning for much longer than an hour and have to put more on. I am trying to find a serious hydrating glop to put on them so I can try to lower the amount and then hopefully use none…but we are talking probably 15 plus years of using different balms hundreds of times a day! It’s so bad, I have probably 30 tubes around the house…about 3 in my car, if I am out for the night and I forgot one, (which is a rarity) I will stop at the nearest store, gas station, pharmacy, convenient store, etc to purchase a new one…I cannot leave anywhere without one. Therin lies the “addiction” …if my lips didn’t feel dry all the time, I wouldn’t use any balms. Sooo…people coming to this site may think that there is a physical addiction (other than the physical need for soft, non-dry lips) there isn’t. Its the psycho in all of us.
i have that 2, MJ and Danielle
if u find a cure, plz comment here again, telling me wat 2 do.
many pple r disturbed by how much i put on.
they hasnt been a second in my life when i didnt have it on(except when im in the water!) for over 2 years!!
PLZ HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLPPPP
thnx
I’m 20 and I’ve been addicted to lip balm for about 12 years now. Some people think it’s a joke, but it’s taken over my life! I have trouble going a half hour without applying a thick coat. I realized I had a problem when Target was out of my favorite - the blue Aveeno balm - and I nearly had a meltdown, this caused me to order a case of 35 of them online.
…About a week ago I ran errands and forgot my lip balm at home. I was only gone a few hours and my lips completely chapped over. I have never felt something so uncomfortable, painful and irritating in my life! I was miserable. I decided to take action on Monday, September 17. I was going to go cold turkey, I cannot live the rest of my life being so dependent on something most people don’t understand. Well, like most, I failed; I have, however, severely cut down in only 3 days. I’ve noticed that especially when I’m at work in a high-stress environment, I find myself weak and running to it every chance I get. I have gone from using lip balm several times an hour to once every couple hours. I already feel like I’ve made a huge step! By only turning to my balm when I’m on the verge of insanity, I have already started overcoming my addiction. It’s possible!!! Keep trying, it can only get better! I hope to have completely kicked the habit within 2 weeks. I’ll take 2 miserable weeks over a constant hassle any day!
Gosh, I’m glad I’m not the only one out there addicted to lip balm! I seriously cannot function without it on my lips. Like the previous poster, I need to put it on every 30 minutes. I put lip balm/ gloss on so much that I have to hide putting it on around my family and friends.
I am a serious addict. I have been for about 5 or 6 years applying every twenty min. or so. My step dad did marketing for a flavored lip balm company and gave me buckets of the stuff. It is all over the place and I never not have one. I am down to the last twenty or thirty and am fearful of was will happen when its gone. Will I be able to keep track of it when I have to buy it and only have one or two. What if I leave it at home and go somewhere that doesn’t have any to buy?
i’m not sure if i have an addiction.. i just use lip balm constantly.. chap stick is a neccesity for me.. i cant go anywhere without it.. im 16 and im confused about how to find out if im an addict or not.. help?
I have been addicted to lip balm for approximately 6 years now and I am only 13 years old. It is horrible, I know, but I just get a rush when I buy lip balm and when I use it. I do not think I am addicted though because I can go without buying lip balm for months at a time even if I don’t WANT to. I have somewhere close to 10 chapsticks right now but I am dying to purchase more. I love soft lips even though when it gets in my outh it tastes disgusting. I just love the way that it feels when I glide the balm on to my lips. It makes me feel beautiful even though you can’t really see it. Just the thought of knowing that my lips are soft and smoothe makes me excited to buy more and try the different brands to see which one is the best. It is almost like a competition between brands. Who will win? Chapstick? Blistex? Softlips? Carmex? Aveeno? Chicken Poop? Who knows… but I will NEVER quit lip balm!!!
I too am addicted. I need a meeting bad. I haven’t used in 6 days now. My lips are dry and cracked. Is there any help for me?
Oh it’s bad! I fly for a living and for the past twenty years have never been without lipstick, balm or lip gloss at any point during my life. When really glossy, shiny lip gloss came in I moved from a traditional lipstick to gloss full-time. I am of the firm belief that the super gloss formulation “Juicy Tubes” from Lancombe even created a dependency away from lipstick! I cannot even wear lipstick now, within a few hours my lips are bitty and split. I must have 25 Juicy Tubes in every shade and if I am not wearing it I must apply Blistex Relief Cream at least once an hour.
The feeling of bare lips is unbearable, once when I had my bag stolen I had to use a single portion butter pat till I could get Blistex. I am out of control!!!!
WTF GO 2 THA DOCTER DUHHH!!!!!!!
my friend and I have been users for several years. If one of us forgets we can rely on the other. Without lipbalm we feel sad and deprived and unattractive. Blistex-emma
Vasaline-issy
help us please!!!
YES, I am addicted to lip balm, and I’m fine with it. I see nothing wrong with being dependent on a harmless thing such as this. Think of all the things I COULD be addicted to! Gee, people, give yourselves a break, load up on the tubes, or whatever container you prefer, and proceed to worry about something more important! Meanwhile, time to apply some more probably!
i am addicted, i just recently became addicted and im fine with it. ive been semi- addicted since i was little, because i have the gross habit of PICKING the dry skin off my lips, to the point they bleed. i use carmex, and burts bee’s, and i just went thru a pot of carmex in 2 (maybe less) weeks! i just now got a squeese tube of carmex, its better than burts bee’s. i will remember this site if anything gets out of hand. this is my backup support site!