Love it or hate it, nobody can deny that twitter has many of us hooked. While many critics rants about the pointlessness of it all, it’s supporters are equally if not more passionate in their appreciation of the system.

Once twitter has got it’s claws into you, there is very little defence, as it becomes an essential source of conversation, information, inspiration and friendship. Whatever first attracted you, there comes a point for many twitter users where they realise that this social networking tool has become an essential part of their lives and they are well and truly addicted.

Here are some tell tale signs that you might have a twaddiction..

You add tw to the starts of words

For some reason the compulsion to twansform words becomes impossible to resist, and before you know it you will be re-writing the twictionary.

Warning: Doing this around non twitter users will make them think you are a twat.

You waste days trying out twitter applications

As your addiction grows you will probably seek out applications for everything from accessing twitter through to checking out your stats.

Warning: While there are many great apps out there, there are also some utterly pointless, boring and worst of all broken applications. Avoid this by sticking with recommended apps.

You friends start rolling their eyes when you mention twitter

While you might think you are simply encouraging people to join in the fun, your twitter avoiding friends might start to think you have been paid to bore them into submission.

Warning: Defending twitter too strongly amongst the uninitiated might make you seem mental.

You check twitter before your email

Instead of checking your email, or doing whatever work you sat down to do, you automatically open the web page or your chosen twitter app.

Warning: A quick 5 minute check of your tweets may delay you for a LOT longer.

You spend Friday night on twitter

Okay so in itself this isn’t a bad thing, we have all had lazy nights at home messaging about on the computer. The difference here is you can spend the evening on twitter, and feel like you have had a fun sociable evening with friends.

Warning: Mixing twitter and alcohol is fun, but can lead to embarrassing tweets.

A retweet makes your day

You go from wondering what the hell RT means to feeling joy when your amusing offhand comment gets noticed and quoted by your twitter pals.

Warning: Don’t get too used to getting full credit for your awesome wit, in real life the best you can hope for is a chuckle.

You share your news on twitter first

While once you might have told your partner, mother, doctor or friends, twitter becomes your first port of call when you have big news. After all, if they aren’t following you on twitter what do they expect?

Warning: Your friends and family might not appreciate finding out major news after spam bots. So if you are pregnant or have a new job try to at least tell your partner before sharing it with the world.

You socialise with your twitter friends

As you make more friends on twitter you might find yourself wanting to spread the joy into the real world and get together for drinks and general merriment.

Warning: Drinking with twitter users can lead to embarrassing twitpics.

You use twitter as a TV guide

You let your twitter friends choice of viewing influence yours, then find yourself tweeting (and reading other people’s tweets), about TV while you are watching it.

Warning: You may end up watching some terrible reality TV, as bitching about it on twitter makes it much more fun.

You blog posts are all twitter related

Although you might try to avoid it, you find yourself posting about twitter more and more often, and might even find yourself writing a blog about twitter addiction.

Warning: May deter people who don’t use twitter… oooops.

If you find yourself displaying any of these symptoms, well it’s already to late. So just enjoy it and try not to hit refresh too often.