Facebook and Twitter are more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol

It’s true. Facebook and Twitter are more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol, well so say a group of American researchers.

The Irish Independent reports that resisting the urge to check social networking sites for updates is more difficult than turning down a drink. This is according to a study of people’s everyday desires which was carried out by the University of Chicago.

The survey of 250 participants found that sex and sleep were the two things that people wanted most during the day, but their urges to check social networking sites were the hardest to resist. It seems that in this day and age we have become seriously addicted to social networking.

In stark comparison, the levels of desire for alcohol and tobacco were much lower, despite the fact that both of these have a reputation for being addictive.

The research found that during the day our constant efforts to resist temptation sap our willpower, which makes our cravings even stronger.

“As a day wears on, willpower becomes lower and self-control efforts are more likely to fail,” explains Dr Wilhelm Hofmann, who led the research.

Apparently we have a greater chance of giving in to our desires if we have resisted the desire in question frequently or recently. This is why you may turn down the offer of a drink once, but cave the next time you’re asked.

While some of us may scoff and think "I'm not addicted, I can quit any time I want!" chances are the scientists are right about this one.

Do you think it’s all a load of rubbish? Try going cold turkey from social networking for a day and see if you can resist temptation...