--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Exhibitionism is like a drug. Hooked in…" description: "\"Exhibitionism is like a drug. Hooked in adolescence I was now taking doses so massive they would have killed a novice.\" — Quentin Crisp" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/quentin-crisp-1163_adolescence_exhibitionism-is-like-a-drug-hooked-in-a_1791963.png" --- # Exhibitionism is like a drug. Hooked in adolescence I was… ![“Exhibitionism is like a drug. Hooked in adolescence I was now taking doses so massive they would have killed a novice.” quote by Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/quentin-crisp-1163_adolescence_exhibitionism-is-like-a-drug-hooked-in-a_1791963.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/quentin-crisp-1163_adolescence_exhibitionism-is-like-a-drug-hooked-in-a_1791963.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/quentin-crisp-1163_adolescence_exhibitionism-is-like-a-drug-hooked-in-a_1791963.png) > “Exhibitionism is like a drug. Hooked in adolescence I was now taking doses so massive they would have killed a novice.” [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive exhibitionism can become an addictive behavior, escalating to dangerous levels. **In simple terms:** Exhibitionism can become an addictive habit. Key Takeaway Recognize and seek help for compulsive attention‑seeking. Themes addiction attention self‑image Mood anxious reflective Type cautionary psychological When to use this quote - teenage rebellion - social media overuse - party culture - celebrity fame Key Concepts psychology behavioral compulsion risk Questions to Reflect On - What drives your need for constant attention? - How can you find validation without exhibitionism? A Different Perspective May mask underlying insecurity or trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adolescence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adolescence/) [Drug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug/) [Exhibitionism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhibitionism/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I'm an actor by choice and I love facing the camera. There's a little bit of exhibitionism in all of us. We like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharmila-tagore/i-m-an-actor-by-choice-and-i-love-facing-the-camera-there-s-a-little/) [Sharmila Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharmila-tagore/) > [Exhibitionists have no friends, no friends at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/exhibitionists-have-no-friends-no-friends-at-all/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [All my movies have an autobiographical dimension, but that is indirectly, through the characters. In fact I am behind everything that happens and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-almodovar/all-my-movies-have-an-autobiographical-dimension-but-that-is/) [Pedro Almodovar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-almodovar/) > [As you probably know, I'm often accused of intellectual exhibitionism and all forms of elitism. Although I can understand this point of view, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/as-you-probably-know-i-m-often-accused-of-intellectual-exhibitionism/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) > [Most of the writers I know are weird hybrids. There's a strong streak of egomania coupled with extreme shyness. Writing's kind of like exhibitionism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/most-of-the-writers-i-know-are-weird-hybrids-there-s-a-strong-streak/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Jazz should be much less about stress on technical exhibitionism and much more on emotional content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-little/jazz-should-be-much-less-about-stress-on-technical-exhibitionism-and/) Booker Little > [The night club had a curious and diverse appeal. To some it was a sex-exciter. To others, frequenting a night club and throwing away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-walker/the-night-club-had-a-curious-and-diverse-appeal-to-some-it-was-a-sex/) Stanley Walker > [I have a problem with the blatant celebrity exhibitionism that happens in this business and being sold purely as a brand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-patric/i-have-a-problem-with-the-blatant-celebrity-exhibitionism-that/) [Jason Patric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-patric/) > [“Emotional exhibitionism is one block away from whoring for attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walsh/emotional-exhibitionism-is-one-block-away-from-whoring-for-attention/) [Alice Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walsh/) > [The laws and the stage, both are a form of exhibitionism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/the-laws-and-the-stage-both-are-a-form-of-exhibitionism/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [Luxury is obviously the direction that interests me the most, but there is a lot of confusion between luxury and exhibitionism. For me, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-armani/luxury-is-obviously-the-direction-that-interests-me-the-most-but/) [Giorgio Armani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-armani/) > [The much-vaunted sex appeal of American women is drawn from films, reviews and pin-ups, and is in large print fictitious. A recent medical survey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-evola/the-much-vaunted-sex-appeal-of-american-women-is-drawn-from-films/) [Julius Evola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-evola/) > [The left-wing Democrats will represent the party of total hedonism, total exhibitionism, total bizarreness, total weirdness, and the total right to cripple innocent people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/the-left-wing-democrats-will-represent-the-party-of-total-hedonism/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [You go to someone and you think, 'I'll tell him this.' But why? The impulse is that the telling is going to relieve you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/you-go-to-someone-and-you-think-i-ll-tell-him-this-but-why-the/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“Often, her mate is the child of a narcissist, already indoctrinated to regard exploitation and disregard as love. Others lured by the narcissistic aura…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elan-golomb/often-her-mate-is-the-child-of-a-narcissist-already-indoctrinated-to/) Elan Golomb ## More by Quentin Crisp > [You can behave as badly as you like in America. Nobody notices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/you-can-behave-as-badly-as-you-like-in-america-nobody-notices/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/never-keep-up-with-the-joneses-drag-them-down-to-your-level/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [“Masturbation is not only an expression of self-regard: it is also the natural emotional outlet of those who, before anything has reared its ugly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/masturbation-is-not-only-an-expression-of-self-regard-it-is-also-the/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [I am the last of Britain's stately homos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/i-am-the-last-of-britain-s-stately-homos/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [My mother protected me from the world and my father threatened me with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/my-mother-protected-me-from-the-world-and-my-father-threatened-me/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Nothing more rapidly inclines a person to go into a monastery than reading a book on etiquette. There are so many trivial ways in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/nothing-more-rapidly-inclines-a-person-to-go-into-a-monastery-than/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Vice is its own reward. It is virtue which, if it is to be marketed with consumer appeal, must carry Green Shield stamps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/vice-is-its-own-reward-it-is-virtue-which-if-it-is-to-be-marketed/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Most men when they make up their faces, the makeup stands forward, and their faces are behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/most-men-when-they-make-up-their-faces-the-makeup-stands-forward-and/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Development of character consists solely in moving toward self-sufficiency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/development-of-character-consists-solely-in-moving-toward-self/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Women have decided to be people, which is a great mistake. Women were nicer than people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/women-have-decided-to-be-people-which-is-a-great-mistake-women-were/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Sex is the last refuge of the misreable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/sex-is-the-last-refuge-of-the-misreable/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [I was amazed to receive later a substantial sum for sitting in my room and talking about myself. If only I could get some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/i-was-amazed-to-receive-later-a-substantial-sum-for-sitting-in-my/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [If you live in America, you don't have to work. You can just drift along in the smiling and nodding racket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/if-you-live-in-america-you-don-t-have-to-work-you-can-just-drift/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [“I was from birth an object of mild ridicule because of my movements - especially the perpetual flutter of my hands - and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/i-was-from-birth-an-object-of-mild-ridicule-because-of-my-movements/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [If a man were to look over the fence on one side of his garden and observe that the neighbor on his left had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/if-a-man-were-to-look-over-the-fence-on-one-side-of-his-garden-and/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) [Explore all 279 Quentin Crisp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) ## More Adolescence quotes > [They must move from a psychological state of victimization to a psychological state of accepting responsibility. The Palestinians must leave behind their revolutionary adolescence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-shavit/they-must-move-from-a-psychological-state-of-victimization-to-a/) [Ari Shavit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-shavit/) > [Having children truly ends adolescence. We are all either parents or children: responsibility-takers or those who demand from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/having-children-truly-ends-adolescence-we-are-all-either-parents-or/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [Teenage girls are extremists who see the world in black-and- white terms, missing shades of gray. Life is either marvelous or notworth living. School…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pipher/teenage-girls-are-extremists-who-see-the-world-in-black-and-white/) [Mary Pipher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pipher/) > [Teenagers complain there's nothing to do, then stay out all night doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-phillips/teenagers-complain-there-s-nothing-to-do-then-stay-out-all-night/) [Bob Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-phillips/) > [The idols of one's adolescence tend to endure - you never forget how you worshipped them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ivins/the-idols-of-one-s-adolescence-tend-to-endure-you-never-forget-how/) [Molly Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ivins/) > [Being an adult is the ability to postpone a want for the sake of a family need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hogan/being-an-adult-is-the-ability-to-postpone-a-want-for-the-sake-of-a/) [Chris Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hogan/) > [The donning of the ear buds marks the beginning of teen life, when children set off on their own for the passage through adolescence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amity-shlaes/the-donning-of-the-ear-buds-marks-the-beginning-of-teen-life-when/) [Amity Shlaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amity-shlaes/) > [Adolescence is when the very worst and best impulses in the human soul struggle against each other for possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-stanley-hall/adolescence-is-when-the-very-worst-and-best-impulses-in-the-human/) [G. Stanley Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-stanley-hall/) > [Most adults would not dream of belittling, humiliating, or bullying (verbally or physically) another adult. But many of the same adults think nothing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-steinberg/most-adults-would-not-dream-of-belittling-humiliating-or-bullying/) [Laurence Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-steinberg/) > [If you can't count, they can cheat you. If you can't read, they can beat you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/if-you-can-t-count-they-can-cheat-you-if-you-can-t-read-they-can-beat/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [“He'd possessed all the key elements of a school shooter: hormones, misery, ammunition. People wondered how something like Columbine could happen. Jude wondered why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/he-d-possessed-all-the-key-elements-of-a-school-shooter-hormones/) [Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/) > [ I remember realizing, when I did Little Women \[1994\], that that was the only time girls that age were being written about. It was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/i-remember-realizing-when-i-did-little-women-1994-that-that-was-the/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [Content without style is propaganda or adolescence. Style without content is decadence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-mae-brown/content-without-style-is-propaganda-or-adolescence-style-without/) [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) > [Adolescence is interesting. I mean, all of life is interesting and all of life is transitionary. But I think there is an exponential growth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-henson/adolescence-is-interesting-i-mean-all-of-life-is-interesting-and-all/) [Bill Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-henson/) > [“Yet GenX'er teens didn't slow down--they were just as likely to drive, drink alcohol, and date as their Boomer peers and more likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-twenge/yet-genx-er-teens-didn-t-slow-down-they-were-just-as-likely-to-drive/) [Jean M. Twenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-twenge/) [Browse all 787 Adolescence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adolescence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Exhibitionism is like a drug. 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