b_80_h Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Alright, so I managed to do something in the last year I never thought I'd have a problem with: I got hopelessly addicted to online gaming. Now, I'll be honest. I wasn't a totally casual gamer before I discovered World of Warcraft, Left 4 Dead, or Team Fortress 2, but I wasn't playing for 5 or 6 hours a day. I used to have a membership to a gym, which I frequented daily. I was a football player until I flopped out of the university. In general, my life had structure to it, and as my life problems have increased, that structure has been eroded away. I've gained some weight and my athletic build has faded slightly, and my academic life has taken some severe hits. My diet has tanked, and I'm generally not in a good place emotionally. I quit as of yesterday (3/27), and I'm working on staying "clean" for 30 days. That doesn't feel like enough though... What have you done to snap an addictive habit like this? How have you fought the urge to "escape" life? How would you suggest I pick up the pieces? Link to post Share on other sites
january2011 Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I read somewhere that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so a break of 30 should ensure that you're heading in the right direction. Focus as much of your daily activities away from the computer - use whatever means necessary to block your access to the gaming sites. Go to the gym every day, get out of the house. Draw up a weekly meal plan and set up your weightloss and fitness goals. Log your meals. Make sure that you have healthy alternatives for all your meals and snacks. Take it one day at a time and chart your progress. Set up a reward system for when you reach your goals. Perhaps a sealed money pot for each goal you reach with a plan to spend the money on something that you will enjoy. Look for like-minded people to cheer you on when you lapse and to congratulate you when you reach a goal. Remember why you are doing this and keep your eye on the prize. Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 You need to give yourself something IRL to focus on and bring you satisfaction. Often, an addiction is a 'placeholder'. Everyone blames it for screwing up someone's life, but sometimes it's really just a symptom of a greater problem - that the person doesn't find fulfillment in anything he/she is doing, and turns to an addiction for 'escape'. Set some goals you want to achieve (graduating university, learning a new skill, getting a gf, etc), and work on them instead of focusing on 'staying away from computer games'. Unlike drugs, smoking, and alcohol, there is no physiological dependence on video games, just a psychological one, so when you focus on other things, it's easier to stay off it. Link to post Share on other sites
Exit Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 I'd attack this in different ways depending on your personality type. If you're the type who can handle moderation, I would say earn your video game time through other actions, tell yourself if you go spend an hour at the gym you can play a game for 90 minutes as you cool off afterwards. But if you're like me and can't handle moderation, the 90 minutes will turn into 6 hours and it'll defeat the purpose. If you have the willpower to go cold turkey and not need it at all, it's tougher, but it'll break the addiction more thoroughly. Link to post Share on other sites
Epidemic Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Was gaming the reason you flunked out of university? Or did the gaming come after you flunked out of university? If so, did your social life significantly decrease from not being on a campus/on a team? Link to post Share on other sites
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