A strong addiction to video games

[Anonymous]

I have a very strong addiction to video games. I will happily sit down and play for hours only getting up to go the toilet or eat or drink only when I must. I make sure I play a video game at least once a day. I have a massive obsession over minecraft (who doesn't? But this one is unhealthy). I think I have even had slight withdrawals when I didn't play anything for one day. That day was hard. I even had to stop writing halfway through this because I had to play a bit more of minecraft. Can anybody help me please?

[J Snow]

Well, I've never tried playing minecraft, but a lot of games (RPG's in paticular) are set up to really stimulate our reward center. It can be very addictive.

I admittedly have wasted a lot of time on video games myself lol. It sounds like it is really interfering with your life though. Have you really made a conscious effort to cut back in the past?

I know some people who have had this problem and often they are trying to use video games to distract themselves from problems in their own life. I know I love getting into a good game because I don't have to think about my gender confusion or my family issues. If you feel this might be part of the issue, it might help to get some help with the issues really causing the problem with a therapist or other professional.

A quick google search pulled up this site. I hope that it might be helpful.

Treatment Options for Video Game Addicts

[Anonymous]

Can I talk to you in private about it?

[Anonymous]

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Can I talk to you in private about it?

Well its after 3 AM here, so I might not be very available tonight. If you are a full member you are more than welcome to send me a private message. If you are not full member then unfortunately you can't private message me, but you are more than welcome to write on my wall to discuss it further if that's something you are comfortable with.

[J Snow]

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Well its after 3 AM here, so I might not be very available tonight. If you are a full member you are more than welcome to send me a private message. If you are not full member then unfortunately you can't private message me, but you are more than welcome to write on my wall to discuss it further if that's something you are comfortable with.

I apologize. The above post was me.

[Anonymous]

Try to involve pretty much everyone in your social network indeed this will make you active and happy too. So have a try!

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Best Video Games

[Pseudojim]

I went cold turkey and just don't play games any more. Too addictive. It's a great, liberating feeling having much more time to do other things now. I built a bicycle, for example =)

[Anonymous]

I used to play a lot of gaming as well, but these days I don't really play anymore... I find games boring.

I hung out with my friends more, found new hobbies, tried some sport, and I was over gaming. So perhaps you just need to try new things.

[TheEdend]

Originally Posted by J Snow

Well, I've never tried playing minecraft, but a lot of games (RPG's in paticular) are set up to really stimulate our reward center. It can be very addictive.

I admittedly have wasted a lot of time on video games myself lol. It sounds like it is really interfering with your life though. Have you really made a conscious effort to cut back in the past?

I know some people who have had this problem and often they are trying to use video games to distract themselves from problems in their own life. I know I love getting into a good game because I don't have to think about my gender confusion or my family issues. If you feel this might be part of the issue, it might help to get some help with the issues really causing the problem with a therapist or other professional.

The bold part a hundred times.

If you want to take away the addictive behavior then you are going to have to go to the root of the problem. Do you think that you could be using video games to get your mind of off something?

I personally had this really bad phase where I would play video games (WoW specially) non-stop while I was trying to come out to myself and others. It took my mind off of things and I was able to just think about the game while I was playing, which was an awesome break from thinking about my sexuality non-stop. And as lame as video game addiction can sound, I still get urges to play WoW every so often when I'm really stressed over something.

Yes I definitely had this.

I played WoW for about 3-4 years, I lost ALL of my friends, literally I lost my whole social life cause I ignored everyone and everything. The game absolutely ruined a part of my life.

The thing is, you won't really get over this addiction until either A. You sort out why you are addicted, usually it's subconsciously a problem you don't want to deal with, whether you are aware of it or not, or B. You're just simply uninterested in everything else, and it's the only fun thing you have.

My case was B, however A was probably a possibility as well. The thing is, when I had finally completely everything possible in the game, I realised how bored I was because I had done everything, then I realised how fucked my life was.

For me, I'm glad I went through all this as I now take games in moderation easily, I have very very very clear perspective on priorities, however I wouldn't have if I hadn't gone through this. I've played loads of games over the years, but none hooked me so much as that. Don't get me wrong, I still play Minecraft, Runescape, Guild Wars, WoW, KAG, BZ2, Warcraft 3... Well the list is endless but now I ALWAYS prioritise my social life over it. My sisters always told me I am ruining my life and that games won't help you in life. Obviously I knew this however I just couldn't be bothered with anything, I figured whatever I'll be fine.

The truth is though is that these games will ruin your life if you let them, you NEED priorities, whether you be strict with yourself until you get them, or your social life gets ruined like mine. I now have regained my social life and everything is normal, but it took a very long time and a lot of effort... If you ever want to talk add me and send me a wall message (afraid I'm not a full member so cannot do private messages,) seeing as I have been through this I can relate to pretty much whatever you can think of.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I have some intense addictions to games as well, and I understand where you're coming from; I'm almost certainly using them as an avoidance of things I don't know how to face yet, or as distractions from anxiety, depression, and confusion about myself.

But while I know it's not sustainable, there's no question that having them has saved my life, because at least I'm engaging my mind in something and having a social experience with friends, even if just online. It's not ideal and I'm neglecting things, but it's keeping me focused on something at a time when I'm not sure about much of anything.

Try to do one proactive thing other than play videogames each day, something you don't usually do if possible. Think about it this way: by forcing yourself to take a break, the anticipation of returning to the game (and I know this is true for Minecraft in particular) makes it even better if you don't allow yourself you come back for an hour or more. Good luck.

[Chip]

There's controversy in the psychology field as to whether video games have the same addictive potential as other drugs. Of course the game companies and gamers (and some researchers) insist there's no addictive quality, but there are other studies and data indicating otherwise.

What is known is that intense video game play can stimulate some of the same neurotransmitter pathways (dopamine in particular) that are associated with other forms of pleasure, including some of the most addictive drugs. So yes, some people can have very strong psychological and even physical withdrawal feelings associated with withdrawing from playing video games, particularly if it is a longstanding pattern.

As Gus highlighted, though, often excessive video game use arises as a result of having a lack of other fulfilling activities. And with nearly every addiction, there's some underlying issue associated with it. The video games can serve as an escape from pain, depression, discomfort, or other undesirable experiences in your life.

So dealing with the addiction or dependency is usually a threefold process: Getting away from the addictive behavior, dealing with the underlying issues that give rise to the addictive behaviors, and enlisting the help of supportive people around you as you make changes in your life to get away from the addictions.

It sounds like you realize there's a problem and want to resolve it, and that's a really important first step. The next step is to enlist help from whomever around you is available... family, friends (preferably non-gamer friends). And likely you'll also want counseling or therapy to help you explore what it is that video games help you escape from, so you can deal with those feelings directly rather than distracting yourself. Otherwise, you're likely to just transfer the addiction to something else (drugs, sex, masturbation, food, etc).

I'm no expert in addiction and addictive behaviors, but i know a bit about it from having worked with professionals in the field and from supported people who are recovering from addictions. If you'd like to talk with me (or any of the other advisor team), feel free to PM me.