Step 1: Initial temptation
Step 2: Enjoying the camaraderie.
Step 3: Realizing you are in too deep.
Step 4: Your addiction is so strong that you even try to get your fix with fantasy basketball and fantasy baseball in the off-season.
Step 5: Admitting you have a problem.
Step 6: Ignoring that nagging thought of quitting, because this year will be different than the last.
Step 7: Inevitably taking on more than you can handle.
Step 8: Researching as if it's your job.
Step 9: Going down the mock-draft black hole.
Step 10: When the actual time comes, you instantly regret your first pick.
Step 11: Gloating about your teams awesome, super-witty name.
Step 12: Signing up for phone alerts and constantly checking for updates.
Step 13: Being seduced into trades you have no business taking.
Step 14: Then desperately asking for trades to fix your doomed team.
Step 15: Justifying drafting a player from your real-life rival's team.
Step 16: Dealing with the injury of one of your star players.
Step 17: Yelling at the television in your underwear surrounded by Cheez-It crumbs.
Step 18: Writing off people who say, "It's just a game."
Step 19: Experiencing the joy of finally winning a game.
Step 20: Experiencing the pain of not making the play-offs.
Step 21: Pretending to congratulate your friend when they win the league.
Step 22: You're fully addicted now. And the cycle of addiction continues. You'll be back next year.