We live in the time of Netflix, Hulu, and other outlets that enable us to delve into the worlds of Stars Hallow, Seattle-Grace Mercy Hospital, and Mystic Falls. We're not limited to watching from the comforts of our couches and on flat screens. We're free to watch Luke and Lorei banter while sipping our own cup of Joe and fantasize about kissing Chace Crawford whenever and wherever we want, but with this new freedom comes a nasty little thing called addiction. Our need to know what happens next and if our favorite character will survive the next episode controls us. We schedule our lives around our favorite shows and invest our time and energy into the characters both on and off the screen. Its time to face the music. We're addicted.

1. Admit you have a problem.

Saying "Just one more episode" almost always means finishing the season.

2. Realize it isn't you're fault.

You can just blame Patrick Dempsey's dimples.

3. Don't be afraid to admit the severity of your addiction.

So you’ve aced every Buzzfeed quiz and you follow Ed Westwick aka “Chuck Bass” on Twitter…so what?

4. Make the decision to avoid binge-watching.

How many episodes a day is considered binge watching again? Oops.

5. Know the decision is in your hands.

To watch one more episode or two...that is the question.

6. Make a list of all who have been affected by your addiction.

Especially your friends who've suffered through your many Office references.

7. Make amends.

Offer to watch your friend's favorite episode of Grey's Anatomy for their trouble. (But beware, this may lead to another addiction.)

8. Avoid those who enable your addiction.

Steer clear of your Gilmore Girls Group Me and any news article claiming sneak peaks of the new episodes.

9. Just say no.

The new season of Criminal Minds just came out on Netflix? No. Your roommate is hosting a Friends marathon? No.

10. Discover where it all went down hill.

Was it when Elena kissed Damon for the first time? Or that night you stayed up watching How I Met Your Mother to avoid studying for the Accounting exam?

11. Prepare to experience withdrawals.

The struggle is real.

12. Direct your time and attention elsewhere.

Like a new hobby, a different show on Netflix, or Stephan Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries for example. (You're welcome.)