I am currently 26 years old, and I was addicted to video games like Diablo 2, World of Warcraft and other miscelaneous titles from 7th grade in middle school, to my freshman year in college; 6 years. I have been free of video game addiction for 7 years and I have to say I have great control over them now primarily because I am very disciplined and am working towards a doctorate in physical therapy. I have played video games that have sucked me in over the last few years but swiftly deleted them from my PC because it started to suck me in and I felt uncomfortable.
I am currently playing a video game that I would really like to play more of, but once I play for a couple hours or so I feel really awful. I feel emotionally detached and disconnected(spaced out) from reality and generally have a feeling of guilt. This is the feeling I have after I play any fun immersing game and is the main reason I soon stop playing.
A few questions to my fellow recoverers or current gamers:
1) Did/does anyone else also get this feeling from playing video games?
If so: Have any of you who have experienced these symptoms, been able to play games without them? How so?
Maybe An herbal supplement, remedy? Or if it is just apart of the addiction.
Hi Nip,
I think there isnt a pill or cure-all for what you feel. Its just the residuals of addiction and unfortunately it may be something that will linger for a very long time. I have been game-free (this time) for only a short while but I totally relate where you are coming from with the feelings of detachment and guilt. I have had periods of being game free lasting months and know the feeling of getting sucked back in and feeling awful. I have thought in the past I could overcome these emotions but after repeated cycles I think it just isnt the case.
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
~Buddha
Hi, NIP, welcome.
Our members here have all decided that because we had no control over our game playing, we needed to quit. So we don't play at all. However, the feelings you describe are not uncommon.
If you'd like to see a list of some of the things we felt and experienced as gaming addicts check this out:
http://olganon.org/?q=self_tests_on_gaming_addiction
The vast majority of us don't play any games, so you won't find a lot of help here with control. But if you decide you want to quit, there is a wealth of experience here to draw on.
I'd encourage you to come to a meeting and see what you think. Check the Meetings Tab.
I am a recovering computer game and gambling addict. My recovery birthday: On May 6, 2012 I quit games and began working a program of recovery through OLGA No computer games or slot games for me since December 12, 2012. No solitaire games with real cards since June 2013.
I haven't been able to play games without that sick, rotten feeling. I don't have any advice for you in that department. I can say that working the program has made that feeling go away and sometimes I feel serenity in its place, sometimes even happiness. I can't say that gaming ever made me really happy; maybe distracted or high, but not happy.
Last time I checked, the consensus amongst both addicts and people who study people like me is that addiction is incurable. In other words, even if I wind up with 50 years game free, I'll still be a gaming addict. Going back to games later would suck me right back to where I was...it might take a few weeks (although a few days seems more likely), but it'll pull me back. Is it possible that the feelings you're having are telling you that you actually are still a gaming addict? In any case, I can't help you make those feelings go away, and I hope that things go well for you. Hugs...
When you're going through hell...keep going. --Winston Churchill There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still --Corrie ten Boom