Vicious Cycle

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wrongway
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Vicious Cycle

I haven't left the house in 2 weeks, which is a new record. I know I should feel ashamed, but I am numb to all emotions..because I can just forget about them when I log into World of Warcraft. The few times I DO feel ashamed (which is rapidly increasing), I log onto WoW. I talk to my guild members..they are usually succesful in making me feel better. They are my community now. They are solid, and stable and they aren't going anywhere. I have a purpose in WoW, I have structure and control over everything in that game. But I can't stand this. I'm on medical leave from college because of depression, and there is no way that anyone is going to clear me for the coming semester. So the only bearable option for me is to continue playing. I need structure in my life and I am not getting it from real life. I'm in too deep and it feels like there is no way out.

This is ridiculous. I've been playing on and off since late BC. I am 21 years old, I should be out there carpe dieming the sh** out of life. But I'm not. I'm sitting here, feeling my muscles and motivation atrophy. I know that everyone is frustrated with me, which just makes me want to play even more. My parents tell me to stop, but I can't. I just can't. Help? What is the first step in getting out of this hole?

Lisa3333
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Hi Wrongway and welcome!! 

Hi Wrongway and welcome!! I was in a very very similar situation as you a little over 3 months ago. I felt the same way about my mmo and couldn't figure a way out. Being guild leader of one of the largest guilds in it made it seem impossible - how could I possibly leave with so many people depending on me? I woke up one day and uninstalled it. I found this site and began attending meetings and connecting with others like me here. The first 7-10 days were agonizingly hard but since then it's gotten easier. I don't even miss the game or game friends.

Hope to see you in some of the meetings. There are 3 a days on Sunday's and 4 a day every other day. I will link you the schedule that's posted on the forums here.

Hugs, Lisa Video game free since 4/17/2014

Lisa3333
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Here are the meeting times

Here are the meeting times and locations http://www.olganon.org/?q=node/46551

Hugs, Lisa Video game free since 4/17/2014

Polga
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You've already made a good

You've already made a good first step by posting here and admitting you have a problem.

There is so much that is valuable about this site. I hope you continue to check in and learn from the others how to make changes.

You could also direct those that care for you to check out this site so that they can understand about gaming addiction and give you the support you need.

Some people use a 12 step program siliar to AA to help them quit playing. Some people use professional therapy. Some people go into rehab or wilderness camps to get free of games and reprogram their brains. There are options. If you can make connections from this website through meetings then you may find the support of fellow addicts will help you stay strong.

All the best to you.

INFO

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Parent's online meeting THURSDAY 9pmEST/EDT click here

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ChrisMix26
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Great first step in

Great first step in admitting your problem. In relation to your guild community that you've become enraptured with, it might be easier to walk away from it by knowing that they would replace you in a minute. They would move on rather quickly and wouldn't speak of you again afterward, especially if you leave telling them that you're done gaming. If you can't imagine this, try replacing the gaming addiction with an alcohol addiction. If you told your buddies that you drink with that you were quitting, they might try swaying you to continue, but as soon as you're truly gone, they would move on in a heartbeat. And you can't possibly continue hanging out with them because all you've done together is drink. The same principle applies with games.

One way I've found to disconnect with these people is to ask myself a few questions: Am I going to meet these people in real life? If not, should they really have an influence on my life like I let them?

Keep coming back. Best of luck to you.

It's time to make up for lost time!

Game free since May 20, 2013.

Andrew_Doan
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First step is the most

First step is the most important! Welcome to OLGA!

Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD

My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan

*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.

terindas
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Welcome to olganon :D. 

Welcome to olganon :D. Well the first step is the hardest and youve already made it "admitting you have a problem". I would recomend next ( if your not already ) start coming to meetings and make some friends here in olga. There are some great people here and most of us have been threw it or are ont he other side worried about what will happen to their loved ones if they dont do something about it.

If you need someone to talk to feel free to send me a private message here its really not easy to deal with this alone trust me I know.

Scott
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wrongway wrote: My parents
wrongway wrote:

My parents tell me to stop, but I can't. I just can't. Help? What is the first step in getting out of this hole?

I suggest that you come to a meeting, introduce yourself and ask this question.

I was stuck in this vicious cycle for long periods of time. If you want to break free of it, you'll probably need to do what I did: reach out for help, accept that help, and make connections with other people in recovery from gaming. You will miss your guild, like you said, but you have a chance here to make friends with people who are building new lives free of the insanity of gaming addiction and who will help you do the same. Give yourself the break you deserve.

What you feed grows, and what you starve withers away.

danfeb
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Yeah, you really need to

Yeah, you really need to find something to do that is better than WoW. Sounds simple, but it's true. Tell us, what's actually stopping you? Maybe you prefer to think over things alone. In any case, gaming is only distracting you, an easy way to pass the time without facing whatever is bothering you.

Jorey
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Welcome to the site. Like

Welcome to the site. Like other said admitting you have a problem is the first step. Read the forums and come to the meetings. They help. :)

Jorey

Reddog
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Hi wrongway I related to

Hi wrongway I related to what you said. I was in the same boat it seemed impossible to leave my online friends. I spent more time socalizing with them than anyone in real life. Seems silly now I was more worried about letting down the people I only knew through a game than the people around me. The thing I came to realize is no one is who they really are on these games. The entire premise is to pretend to be something you are not to role play. I know I did. I pretended t obe the person I wanted t be not who I really was. So those people were not real. Not like the real people around me. They were part of my escape.

Come to some meetings it really helps!

"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present"

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