I think I need help...

They say the first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem...

Hello, my name is Cai and I’m a book addict. I’m not trying to make light of addictions, I honestly believe I have an addiction to the written word.

If I have any “extra” money, I hit the used book store.

I ask friends and family to give me gift certificates to book stores instead of any other gift. - or I tell them books I'd like to receive as gifts if they ask.

I constantly surf Amazon, Books A Million, Borders & B&N websites to see what new releases are coming out.

I’ve signed up with various publishers to get their newsletters and be notified by email when my favorite authors have new books being released.

I hoard books that I’ve been given as gifts, taking them out over and over again to read them.

I recommend books to others, trying to get them as hooked as I am.

I’ve even been known to GIVE books to others hoping they’ll love the author as much as I do and then that they’ll share their addictions to other authors with me.

I buy e-books and devour them over my lunch hour at work.

I ALWAYS have a book in my purse or bag or in my car and if I'm sitting in the car or in a waiting room somewhere for more than 5-10 minutes, I will pull the book out and start reading.

I have a "connection" at a used bookstore who calls me when my favorite authors have a new release or when she gets a book in that she knows I (1) don't have, (2) am looking for, (3) have read other books by that author and haven't read this one.

I go into the bookstore with a list of books I want if I can't find them, I'll drive to another bookstore - no matter how far away it is.

I've been known to "hide" books so that no one in my family knows I've spent money on them.

I've foregone buying lunch to buy a new book.

Is there a twelve-step program for someone like me? Is there any hope for someone like me? How does one overcome an addiction to reading – and quite honestly, should one want to???