Addiction...

[bumblebee62331]

This is not a post against any game in particular. Well, it is but I'm not going to name it. Have any of you been so addicted to an online computer game (or offline I suppose) that you are on it basically 24/7 and neglecting your family, friends, girlfriend, wife, husband, boyfriend etc?

When did you realise you were addicted?
Did things sort themselves out?
Or did you lose somebody over it?

I realise this is personal. Please only reply if you want.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

I was addicted to Everquest back in 2001-2002 but I wasn't 24/7 bad, though I did pull a 21 hour stretch once. I didn't quit any jobs to play or anything like that but I did neglect family and friends because of it. I finally just got tired of it because I didn't like the endgame content and it got slow and repetitive.

 

[ravendta]

I almost got that way with Final Fantasy XI. I imagine you're talking about World of Warcraft (that's most people's addiction). The key is to force moderation on yourself. For example, when I was finding myself addicted to FFXI, I would change my routine so that I'd only allow myself to play after 9PM until 11PM. And in my free time I'd work on personal projects (like writing my books).

My advice would be to find something creative to immerse yourself in and dedicate time to it everyday. Teach yourself to play guitar or piano or something, or take up painting or drawing, or write poetry or even books. If you're not into that kind of stuff, maybe find a way to help other people in your extra time. Volunteer somewhere, or help family members with chores or whatever.

Bottom line is that if you find something else in your life that you are passionate about, you can use it to draw you away from your addiction. That's not to say you need to give up your game addiction entirely (unless you try these things and still find yourself dedicating more time to it than anything else) but just force yourself to moderate it.

Good luck!

And most importantly, pray bout it. God can and will help so long as you make a sincere effort.

 

[The-Doctor]

I think at my worst was when I was playing Final Fantasy 7 till like 3 or 4 in the morning. Mind you this was a weekend. Can't say I ever gave up friends of family but the girlfriend does sometimes resent my playing so I tend to play when she is either not around or watching something I dont watch.

 

[peanutbutter12]

Let me guess the game... WoW?

CJ

 

[Steezie]

Im not an addict.

Now I KNOW someone is going to set up the Addict's Trap.

"Im not an alcoholic!"
"The first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem"

I play games every day for hours a day. However I also have a very active social and sex life, I will (hopefully **Crosses fingers**) be engaged to a wonderful woman on Friday. I play tons of games...and yet have a healthy social life. So does that make me an addict?

I play games because they stimulate my mind, they give my mind something to do.

They actually saved my life at one point. I know it sounds hard to believe but I swear to the gods above, it is true. When I was younger (11 or 12, maybe 13) I was severely depressed. I was lonely and had NO friends. My parents werent keen on me having friends because they felt it would make my schoolwork suffer. I was suicidal for a long time. The worst part of it was boredom, my mind would wander into depressing places and make it worse. Games helped distract me and keep my mind focused on something other than the desire to throw myself into traffic.

And it worked, here I am today.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

They actually saved my life at one point. I know it sounds hard to believe but I swear to the gods above, it is true. When I was younger (11 or 12, maybe 13) I was severely depressed. I was lonely and had NO friends. My parents werent keen on me having friends because they felt it would make my schoolwork suffer. I was suicidal for a long time. The worst part of it was boredom, my mind would wander into depressing places and make it worse. Games helped distract me and keep my mind focused on something other than the desire to throw myself into traffic.

And it worked, here I am today.

I can definitely understand that. I wish I'd had more games to play when I was younger as I'm sure it would have made my own bout with depression much more manageable.

 

[bumblebee62331]

Thanks so much for the replies so far, they are great. Thankyou for sharing! Just to let you all know (if you hadn't figured it out yourselves ) yes the game is WoW, but no it's not me who is addicted. I've only played the game for about 10 minutes and i spent the entire time swimming.

 

[peanutbutter12]

Whoever this person is needs to get addicted to a REAL game.

CJ

 

[bumblebee62331]

Whoever this person is needs to get addicted to a REAL game.

CJ

lol I think I am picking up on certain "don't-like-WoW" vibes

 

[Xandrion]

I used to be addicted to WoW but things changed when I got a new job. The job that I had at the time kept me busy just about 24 / 7, so it forced me to break the habit. Well that job fell though and for a time I started getting back into the habit of just about playing all day, since I was out of a job. It turned out that things hit me when I didn't have enough cash to pay all my bills one week, so I got after looking for work pretty hard. Now I am a webmaster for three different companies and I also take random assignments from a staffing agency. And somehow I just got to the point were I only play at nights and that keeps my day open for assignments and "touch-up coding" every now and then.

 

[SUNSTONE]

Thanks so much for the replies so far, they are great. Thankyou for sharing! Just to let you all know (if you hadn't figured it out yourselves ) yes the game is WoW, but no it's not me who is addicted. I've only played the game for about 10 minutes and i spent the entire time swimming.

I had a feeling it was your boyfriend or husband, whatever the case maybe.

Is it?

 

[bumblebee62331]

I had a feeling it was your boyfriend or husband, whatever the case maybe.

Is it?

Yes, my boyfriend.
It's a long story, but I just miss hanging out with him because he's just playing that stupid game all the time.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Ah, a WoW widow. My wife and a friend's wife used to call themselves EQ widows.

 

[Xandrion]

Yes, my boyfriend.
It's a long story, but I just miss hanging out with him because he's just playing that stupid game all the time.

meh... tell me his name and I'll pop on my 60 shaman and make him wish he was doing other things.

 

[SUNSTONE]

Yes, my boyfriend.
It's a long story, but I just miss hanging out with him because he's just playing that stupid game all the time.

That's the enemy using a divide and conquer scheme.

 

[bumblebee62331]

meh... tell me his name and I'll pop on my 60 shaman and make him wish he was doing other things.

haha

 

[Dannager]

There are far worse things he could be hooked on than WoW. Have you considered playing the game regularly as well to enjoy it with your boyfriend? It obviously matters to him a good deal as an activity.