What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

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FreeSpirit
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What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

I put this here as suggested by Liz. Thank you!

Please feel free to share what you do when you crave to go back to the game.

Here is what I wrote:

- I try to accept the feelings/cravings, but not act on them. I can't game no matter what my mind is telling me. And this is something I had to make a conscious decision about. Awareness is the key and for so long I didn't have that awareness at all. I thought I could handle the game, over and over...and failed every time.

- I work the steps, doing recovery reading. I try to do something everyday. I think with any addiction we have to NOT be lazy, but work on ourselves all the time. It's not easy and I am still struggling badly with getting back into my real life, but at least I'm trying and not hiding from it.

- I tell myself I can stay away from the game today, and then I can always play tomorrow. ONE DAY AT A TIME works for me so far!

- I share here at OLGA and HELP a friend in need, a newcomer, anyone!

- I attend real life 12-step meetings (in aa)

- I step away from the computer. (if it gets really bad) Being aware of my general online time.

- I count the days I have free from game, and I quit on Valentine's day and want to keep that as the day I left SL behind me. And I remember the great support I got from my therapist and friends.

- I tell myself that I really REALLY want my REAL LIFE instead of Second Life.

I KNOW I was sick and miserable in the game, why would things be different this 5th time??? (or more) I can more and more spot when the disease/addiction is talking instead of the real self. The only way to keep me aware of my addiction, is to keep working on my recovery. I couldn't do it my way. I pray for guidance and to remain game-free. For me there's no middle way.

Basically this is what helps me the most right now.

J. DOe
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Re: What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

FreeSpirit, those suggestions are excellent.A Here are a few additional things that have helped me. 1. Take a nap, even if I do not feel that tired.A This helps not only by taking some time away from being tempted, but I also often find that I can resist the temptation much better if I am fully rested. 2. Go to an alternate, peaceful environment.A For me, two that have worked quite well are taking a walk among trees and looking at these trees (preferably in a park but even along a tree-lined street can work), and going to a library to read books and/or newspapers. 3. Reading some of the inspirational posts in the "Daily Reading - ..." message board.A I have found that if I read at least several of them, there are one or two that touch me inside and help me feel somewhat less tempted to play. 4. Do non-computer activities at home like reading a book, watching T.V., etc.A Sometimes the craving will pass when I find something else to focus on for a while. 5. Ask my Higher Power for help.A Whether or not my Higher Power actually exists and answers my request, I sometimes find that I have less temptation afterwards. 6. Repeat some self-affirmations to myself for a while such as "Every day, and in every way, I keep getting better and better".A Not only do they help take my focus away from wanting to play video games, I may feel a bit better afterwards as well.

- John O.

[em]Carpe Diem![/em] (Seize the Day!)

lostone
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Re: What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

I'm glad you started this thread, FreeSpirit! ;D I've started journaling when I have cravings. By journaling time/date/circumstances, I can get a better feel for what my triggers are, and I can use my journal as a tool for learning to cope with my cravings. Other things which are helping me: (1) Doing what I can to keep my non-work hours full of activities. I try to plan my weekend social calendar early in the week, so I have something to look forward to that doesn't involve gaming. (Hmm....maybe I'll play on Sunday. Whoops, no time! Baseball tickets in the afternoon, and planning to barbecue in the evening...) I take my kids to the park after supper. I make sure I always have a good book available to read. (2) Talking about it. I've gotten a lot of help from Olganon, and my close RL friends know that I'm not gaming anymore, and that I'm still coping with my addictive personality traits. Surprisingly, even my friends who game understand where I'm coming from, and are more than willing to be a listening ear when I need it.

Scab
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Re: What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

This is a great post. When all my friends were deeply obsessed with WoW, I constantly tried to get them out of the house. Most times, I guess to honor their friend, they would. However, if I got more than one out of the house at the same time, they would ignore me and the events we attended to talk to each other about the game.
So I suppose I would suggest hanging out with a friend that doesn't play the online game you're addicted to. It really seemed to help one of my friends. I got him out of the house a lot with me which isolated him from the game and our other friends that played.
Here are some of the things we would do:
-We found interesting resturaunts that served food that was new to us. (Thai, Greek, Middle-Eastern, Indian, et cetera)
-Found a hookah bar and drank beer while trying different flavored tobaccos.
-Went to local music gigs to listen to high-energy, upbeat music.
-Went shopping and got nice suits fitted to us.
After a while my friend didn't seem interested in the game at all. He doesn't ever play anymore either.

FreeSpirit
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Re: What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

Hello Scab, thanks for some new ideas ;) altho for me, I needed to come up with things that instantly would help me with the cravings. And drinking alcohol would be a bad idea for me, it would just be another escape from my feelings. I think we have to be careful to not switch one addiction into another. (Not saying this is the case with YOU) but for me; I couldn't go shopping, drinking etc.... and mostly when I crave to game I'm home alone and don't pick up the phone. Also, I try to think of what "recovery"....or "being in recovery" means to me. What can help me get better... and not make me crave so much again? If I can stay home, with my feelings ... but find another solution than game... then I've come a long way. I still see friends and go shopping but that's not what I would turn to first these days, when I crave to play. Good job leading the way around friends there Scab!! That's what I like;: LEAD- Don't just follow.

FreeSpirit
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Re: What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

Another post...about this craving thing. What does craving mean? Is it a feeling in the body? Is it just thoughts? Anyways, I notice I've been on my way to relapse. Had almost decided to go back to the game, in my head. Tell myself NOOOO!! Come back here and read all the suggestions...remind myself I can't go back! Then I reached out for help, called my therapist and told her all about my thoughts. Going thru turmoil in my life. Really screaming for help and for someone to take me out of this life :'( BUT, getting thru it by support. It can be really, really hard to ask for support for me. I'm getting better at that. Don't have to be so **** proud and do it all on my own. Praying for guidance today. Doing my part. Praying for patience. And wrote a list of good things to do for myself. * play tennis/take a bike ride. * socialize
* paint and listen to music
* have fun/play (or at least fake it until it feels like fun *lol*) I need to remember that I can't do it on my own. I've tried it MY WAY.... and it doesn't work. Thank you to everyone for being here, for sharing, for opening up. A better life is waiting. Love Anne

Scab
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Re: What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

That's the spirit. Despite how drab it may seem, and how hard it is to overcome, you can make it.
There are so many wonderful things out there, you just have to have the constitution to find it. Hang in there.

ancientone
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Re: What do I do, when I crave to play the games?

One of the things I did was to replace an unhealthy addiction with a healthy addiction. For me it was hiking, rock climbing, sky diving, scuba diving and several other things. These things got me real addicted to real life again. Find out what addicts you to real life and do it. I know it is not that simple but you know what to do but just have to push yourself to do it. The start is the hardest. But sooner rather than later you will be so addicted to the "healthy" thing that you won't be able to stop. LOL The games will become a blurrrrrrrr.........

Niek Jonker
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The things that i do when i

The things that i do when i crave! - Play some music, either on the radio or on my piano - See if i can do some work on the website that helps addicted Gamers - Attend to 12 step programs - Call friends to think of something else What i did to prevent myself from actually gaming: - Got a job in the evening next to my school, have to work the eveninghours from 7 till 12 and work on weekends aswell - Bought a new instrument to start learning, whenever i wanted the dopamine thrill i just played a littie - Build a website to help the addicted gamers - Bought an agenda, works magically! Just plan ur days ahead with whatever things u have to do. such as work and everything. Clears out ur head and doesnt make it chaotic. - Got a girlfriend (best tip) fun/love/support and takes LOTS of time (and cash which u cant spend on gaming anymore ;)) Greetings

 -- Gamers Anonymous Nederland (Holland) Founder of the fellowship together with support of the Wild Horses Clinic in Amsterdam. "Uve got to hit the bottom to start climbing" "As i walk trough the valley of shadow and death, im not scared. Since im the meanest ***** in the whole valley!"

Thracius
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I've made a sort of list

I've made a sort of list that says ADDICT in the middle and around that I put all the things that gaming has brought me, such as "familiarity, loneliness, depression, misery, control (lack thereof)", it's posted on the wall to my right, so whenever I feel like downloading any game I'll take one look at it and it will be enough to set me straight.

If you play video games, turn them off once in a while and rejoin life. Some of us here like you, don't ask me why.

Inspire
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Going to a wedding of my 2

Going to a wedding of my 2 good friends this Saturday. promises to be a great time. I made them one of my paintings for their new home. I hope they like it. A lot of there style is Asian influenced because she is from Singapore. Just one more thing I would have avoided going to if I was still hooked on the MMO! http://img114.imageshack.us/my.php?image=outthewindowug7.jpg My aEUoego-toaEU list of things to do other than MMOs: aEUC/ Play with my lazy housecats, as I feel the need to make them earn their keep. aEUC/ Go for a walk with my friend around the lake. aEUC/ Playing with my niece. aEUC/ Pick on my husband until I instigate a tickle fight. aEUC/ Painting which will take up many hours at a time. aEUC/ Going out to find something inspiring to paint aEUC/ Call a friend and make plans to hang out aEUC/ Play my NDS, I < 3 old school tetris and puzzle games aEUC/ Make something yummy in the kitchen. aEUC/ Clean my cruddy apartment! aEUC/ Make the trip to visit my parents and sister for a weekend :)

Until we are tested, how do we know if we will pass?

Leighroy1
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I am glad this thread

I am glad this thread exists! I have been having a tough couple of days. Instead of gaming, I have been farting around on the computer -- email, facebook, google searches, solitaire, anything! While it has been keeping me away from gaming, It hasnt changed the behaviour for me. I noticed that I was being absorbed by what was on the screen and not paying attention to the real world! So yesterday I gave myself 30 minutes to attend to email etc... and stuck to it. These are the same cravings I had when I quit smoking. The same sense of necessity to do what it is I am craving. I am so glad I am able to see it now, and thank God I was a smoker who could quit so I can recognize this! I have a new goal for the computer, and you all can help me. If you see me on, and its not a Wed, Sat or Sun (when I am at work I will check in and use the computer -- the rest of the week it is off limits!) send me a message and a gentle nudge! I am on facebook -- badbadleighroybrown@hotmail.com -- nudge me if I am on there on off days! Yahoo = leighroy1 -- nudge me there too. I just know the temptation to hop on to the virtual world will be hard for me to ignore! But its time... PS -- I levelled in Career this week! A raise! WOOT! LOL And thanks in advance -- if anyone wants me to return the favor email me! But I shouldnt be able to catch you if I am not on LOL

Xandtar
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Great news, Leighroy! thanks

Great news, Leighroy! thanks for letting us know.

Leveling in Real Life

Leighroy1
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No problem! Thanks for being

No problem! Thanks for being there so I have someone to tell! LOL

FreeSpirit
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Hi Leighroy, I recognize

Hi Leighroy, I recognize going from gaming to checking e-mail, reading blogs or compulsive surfing wherever ;) It took time for me to realise I was still spending too much time by the PC even when I didn't game. Compared to 10-15 hrs a day - 4 hrs seemed pretty harmless! BUT, I notice that whenever I'm escaping real life to sit by the pc and "waste time" I get very angry inside. And anger leads to depression or negative thinking...which leads to... cravings of the game (to kill the feelings and negative thinking). So it can become a bad circle and it's really good to be aware of this! Some do OK still spending time online, at olganon for ex, but for me I can't spend too much time here since I have family and other things to do in order to keep me sane and happy. *lol* So I guess the trick is to really listen to yourself. What makes you function well? How do you want to live your days/life? What is most important to you? When are you happy? When are you not? For me, it wasn't enough to just REMOVE THE GAME. I have to work on me, my inner self, my feelings, my thoughts, my relationships and start take action to have a good life. Awareness! You're doing great by asking for support. And you've identified what's not working for you. Keep doing what works and do it one day at a time. Great share.

Leighroy1
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Thanks for the advice! YOu

Thanks for the advice! YOu have pretty much described the circle I was starting. The email wasnt cutting it, and I was thinking, oh just half an hour. BUt who am I kidding... I cant limit to 30 minutes of gaming! LOL Those are great questions to ask myself, and I am going to do just that!

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I've had a really hard time

I've had a really hard time since I've gone back to school this fall. The roommates they stuck me with were a pair of frat rats who treated me with nothing less than contempt. All I've felt like doing the whole time I've been here has been sit in my room and keep to myself. I haven't really felt like going back to WoW but I feel like I'm trapped in my bedroom. I hate unnecessary conflict and I've never done anything to these guys. I guess I need to learn how to handle people like them.

FreeSpirit
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Hi court12b, if you haven't

Hi court12b, if you haven't done anything wrong, then know for sure you're not to blame for their behaviour. And you don't need to "handle" people like them, you just have to learn how to handle your own thoughts and feelings and know that you have a choice in whatever you do or say. And personally I think that can be really hard!! Is there any chance you can change room? It can't be easy to live with people that trigger you negatively, so I'd try to find a better solution and get the support you need to solve it. Make good and healthy choices for yourself. Wish you the best

Micah
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stay busy. so far, it is

stay busy. so far, it is working for me. Schedule things to do like work out at the gym after work, study something for your job, call friends/family. If I don't think about it, then I'm not focusing on the craving. When the thought comes, dash it from your mind so it doesn't take root shifting your attention to something else. When I think about gaming too much, then inevitably I will start gaming again. This really stinks and I have a guilt trip a mile long afterwards. I hope this works for someone!

BigH501
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I have seen this thought a

I have seen this thought a few times before and it does work. If you keep this in mind, you really only have to be strong a couple minutes at a time to stay away from gaming, not full time as some fear...

Quote:

When the thought comes, dash it from your mind so it doesn't take root shifting your attention to something else.

" ... don't question it just go" "... where the body goes the mind will follow"
.
Borrowed from "Desire to Stop"

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The most powerful tool I

The most powerful tool I know of to deal with cravings is the phone list. Go to a 12-step meeting and take a paper phone list, preferably noting some people you talked with after the meeting or those whose shares you identified with. Then, when the cravings come up, call! There's something about one addict talking to another that can be very healing. Even leaving messages can be enough to help some. Don't be afraid to call multiple people if you don't get anyone right away, and leave messages so they can call you back. Another thing I did was to run away... literally! I just ran out of my apartment and kept running. It actually helped.

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Have a sponsor. Get their

Have a sponsor. Get their phone number. Call your sponsor when you have the urge to game. That is what sponsor's are for! Be a sponsor, so you can do active 12-step work. It is in giving what we have that we keep what we have - our game-free life!

Liz Woolley

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Great ideas, heres a few

Great ideas, heres a few more: Accomplish something in real life. I realized that the only reason games are addicting is because there's always another level to get or another quest to beat. All it is is accomplishments that keep you in the game. So I figure that if you accomplish something in real life, you'll want to accomplish more and more and who knows? Great things could happen. Face your fear. If you try to hide the game or destroy it, odds are you'll come back to it because you felt good while playing the game and you'll feel that you just destroyed a good feeling. Look at the game and see whats so addicting about it? is it that you are trying to get 99 strength? or 200 quests points? or anything that makes you want to continue playing that horrible game. Then try to get away from doing that particulaur thing. It works. Hope you like um.

Im doing gaming addictions for my science project, need some good information on it. If you have some please check out my threads or pm me.

rocky219
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Thanks for posting, science

Thanks for posting, science project. I was just browsing the forums so that I didn't start a game. After at least 10 hours yesterday for the third day in a row, and getting nothing done, I've been feeling pretty depressed about not accomplishing anything and realizing how powerless I am to stop. I stopped playing a bit when my roommate came home so he wouldn't notice. But when the time came to go to bed, and I was consciously thinking, ok, just finish this game, I noticed that I automatically started the next one without even thinking about it. I've stopped playing for days and weeks before, and keep thinking I can start again, but it never works. I'm online these days to apply for jobs, but obviously not getting much done with all the time on games I'm spending. And I'm still unemployed after a month and a half. I've been to AA and SA meetings, but a gaming meeting is the one I really need. I could say a lot more, but now I don't feel much like posting this, but I know I need to reach out. One other thing though is I have noticed how much it means to me to accomplish something in a game, and I've tried to translate that into real life, but can't seem to do it. Maybe because it's so quick and tangible in a game. But that seems to be one of the key driving forces, that I feel esteemed from accomplishing something in a game. Such nonsense, but it keeps me going back.

J. DOe
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rocky219 wrote: I've been
rocky219 wrote:

I've been to AA and SA meetings, but a gaming meeting is the one I really need.

rocky219, welcome to OLGA. Unfortunately, right now, there is only one face-to-face OLGA/OLG-Anon meeting group in London, Ontario. However, we do have several different types of on-line meetings, currently one during each day of the week. I suggest that you try attending a few of them. I have found that being at these meetings has helped me previously. When you get cravings, there are many excellent suggestions to try in this thread. Also, keep reading and posting in these forums as doing that has also helped me a lot. Good luck with reducing or stopping your excessive game playing, as well as getting the tangible benefits from doing that like finding a job.

- John O.

[em]Carpe Diem![/em] (Seize the Day!)

BarbieO
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I have another suggestion

:grouphug: I have another suggestion that hasn't yet been covered ~ go to an acupuncturist ;) During the worst of my withdrawl symptoms I decided to try this, to help with the feelings of deep sadness, severe grief, and utter despondency. The acupuncturist's office I had seen in town accepted walk-ins and the doctor took me right in for treatment. It was my first experience with an acupunturist and in truth, I left the office with a smile on my face. The doctor stood at the door as I was leaving and asked me how I felt. "I am ... happy." I responded, and utterly shocked I realized it was true. I hadn't felt happiness in such a long time. I know i was happy playing the game, but it was a different "happy" ~ filled with anxiety and driving urges for "more". This was an extremely peaceful happy ... at peace with who I am. Of course, those feelings don't last forever ~ acupuncture treatment is not a miracle "cure", but I definitely will be going back next week!

Whenever God closes a door, He opens a window ~~ Mother Superior

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thank you so much Barbie for

thank you so much Barbie for sharing your experience! terrific idea. :)

Take the first step in faith. You donaEU(tm)t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
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Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.
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The minute you alter your perception of yourself and your future, both you and your future begin to change. ~Marilee Zdenek

embur
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Hello. I just registered to

Hello. I just registered to this website. I am a recovering addict, and am slightly past feelings of any withdrawal. I admit I did not follow any programs nor sought any help while recovering so I do not know if what I say will be of any help, but I hope that others can find some use. 1) Assess why you like the game so much. For me, it was the people I played with. FFXI was a very social game so I bonded with many people. I found that I would keep coming back so that I could socialize with other online entities. [I guess this is similar to chat room addiction, only a bit more fun.] If this applies to anyone, I can suggest some things. What helped me was to surround myself with people (in the game, if playing) that were less intense on leveling up, often went AFK, and were all-in-all laid back. If you surround yourself with people who are less 'addicted', such as openly talking about real life, and people who are genuinely happy, it can help you ease into realizing that you are not attached to this game. It is not something you need to do today, it is only something you want. 2) Maybe change your life, if you can. What made me quit for the first time was that I just moved to college and my mom sold our house. I was put in an environment with many people and lived with 2 random people I didn't know. If you are still young, it might help to move out of your house and live with a roommate (who isn't a gamer.) As for others who are less able to change their lives, maybe volunteer at a local hospital once every week. It gets you out of the house and helping others for free can have wonderful effects for feeling good about yourself. 3) Find a healthier outlet. Do you feel that gaming is an escape from reality? If so, there are other ways to help you escape reality. Find a book that you can read, it will re-stimulate your imagination (because TV will fry your brain.) Personally, I enjoy escaping in teenage fantasy series, such as Harry Potter, Twilight, Vampire Academy, Eragon, etc. If you don't want to pay for books, maybe your local library has something. Just find something easy for you to read. 4) Get attuned with your spirit. When I was gaming, I forgot about myself. Make sure you take a good moment in the day to remember who you are. Remember that you weren't always like this. Remember who you were before you started gaming, when you were a child, when you would go outside and play with bugs and go on bicycle rides because there was no such thing as the internet. Who you were is still in you, it's just waiting to be expressed again. Maybe you can spend a few moments to write a journal about good memories from the olden days. 5) Talk to your family. Your family will always be there for you (even if you disagree.) They're you're blood and they love you unconditionally just as you love them unconditionally. You don't have to say anything about your addiction or that you feel sorry for neglecting them in any way. Just spend time with them, ask them what''s going on in their life, get to know them again. Go out to a movie with them, take them to the beach or a park, go to an amusement park (if it's not too expensive). They know how you were before your addiction and I'm sure they miss it, so let them help you. If you feel you may be having a hard time doing this because you feel that they only know you for who you are now, then maybe talking to your grandparents or children can help. Children don't even think that there is anything wrong with you, they look up to you and learn from you. Elderly people may also seem to be very laid back and often old fashioned so maybe they can inspire you to remember pre-internet and pre-TV days. 6) Avoid mentioning games. Even though it's so easy to get lost in a conversation about the game with others, remember that you do not like how you feel about games. Just tell them straight up, "I don't feel comfortable talking about the game." If they don't feel like talking anymore, that's fine. Just make sure you don't let them help you feed the hunger. Out of sight, out of mind right? 7) Do something physical. It's so easy to lose track of time in front of the computer. What you originally thought would only take 15 minutes to do managed to take 2 hours of your time. If you get yourself to do something, like walk to the store to get groceries, clean your bathroom, cook a meal, take a shower, you'll realize how little time it takes to do that. Sure, it's laborious work, but maybe try to set yourself to do work first then play later. The more work you do, the less time you'll have to devote yourself to the game. Also, maybe try using longer means of transportation, such as walking or taking the bus. Well this is it for now. If anyone needs encouragement from a fellow victim, please feel free to talk to me. I can relate with what you are going through and I can assure you that you don't need it.

FreeSpirit
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embur wrote: 4) Get attuned
embur wrote:

4) Get attuned with your spirit. When I was gaming, I forgot about myself. Make sure you take a good moment in the day to remember who you are. Remember that you weren't always like this. Remember who you were before you started gaming, when you were a child, when you would go outside and play with bugs and go on bicycle rides because there was no such thing as the internet. Who you were is still in you, it's just waiting to be expressed again. Maybe you can spend a few moments to write a journal about good memories from the olden days.

Thank YOU for all great ideas. I personally adore number 4!!! Just closing my eyes I can remember what it was like being a child in an enchanted world, in the forest, by the lake or riding a bicycle. And it's still there, you are right, we just have to remember it again! It's so easy to forget it's still there... Thank you for sharing :)

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embur wrote: 7) Do
embur wrote:

7) Do something physical. It's so easy to lose track of time in front of the computer.

I work on deadline once per month, which means many, many hours in front of the monitor. What I've been doing when I feel my attention start to wander is simply get up and go into another room. Yes, there's many urgent things that need to be done -- but I've found I actually accomplish them faster by taking a little break and then returning rather than aimlessly clicking around or, as I used to do, just fire up the MMO for "a few minutes" which naturally for me turned into hours.

John of the Roses
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rocky219 wrote: One other
rocky219 wrote:

One other thing though is I have noticed how much it means to me to accomplish something in a game, and I've tried to translate that into real life, but can't seem to do it. Maybe because it's so quick and tangible in a game. But that seems to be one of the key driving forces, that I feel esteemed from accomplishing something in a game. Such nonsense, but it keeps me going back.

I just went outside for about fifteen minutes, maybe ten plus, to water my garden. It is nightime right now, dark, so the neighbors wont easily see me. We are in a draught now and we are only allowed to water lawns and gardens with sprinkler systems and only on one weekend day. No hoses. But I don't have a lawn with St Augustine grass like my neighbors, I have a brick-outlined puff of dry dirt I have been tending roses in for seven years. Let me tell you this was instant gratification for me! Something that I have been thinking about all week, and just went out and did it! It meant so much for me to accomplish that, something that translates into my real life, that I can sustain the life of rose bushes for more than a season or two. When I was ingame, I couldn't care less for those thorny *********. When I "came to" I began to see where my life had gotten to, in the two years I had forgotten about them. I was no longer physically able to weed them, I hired a neighbor who gardens to do it for me. Now, it is managable and all I need do is hoe around and add the proper nutrients and nourishment. Quick & tangible for me was going out back, in the dark and knowing I would not catch my leg on anything like a wire or a brush because in the previous week I had gone out and made a path for me knowing that I would be walking in the dark soomday soon, to water. It was quick work tonight. Tangible is the joy I get when I see a bloom bud out and I know i took the necessary steps to make that possible. That is my key driving force tonight. But the smell of the rose blossoms... and the look of appreciation of my neighbors when I have taken the time to tend my garden well. Afterall, I can't see them from my window, but they frame my neighbors sight quite well these days.

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone

taithunter
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It's my second day without

It's my second day without gaming, and the only reason I don't play is because my wife will leave me and I'll lose my kids. I'm so frustrated, ****ed off, and angry. I want to play so bad I can't help it. The best thing I did not to play was to throw my discs away and delete my toons and game off the computer. I always enjoyed leveling up the characters, so starting another one is just as addictive to me as play a level 80. I'm trying to watch TV and do things with my kids, but this weekend is my time to play, and I seem to be having physicalproblems because I can't play, my stomach hurts, I have headaches, and just all around angry. I can't afford therapy, so hopefuly this will help me. I do want to keep my wife and kids. I can't stand the thought of myself as someone who left their family for a computer game. But now that I've been "forced" to quit, It's that much worse for me than when I've chosen to take breaks from the game.

FreeSpirit
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Hi taithunter, I hope you

Hi taithunter, I hope you come back and learn more and share about gaming addiction. The way "a simple computer game" can kidnap us from our loved ones, is quite scary. I hope you will reach a place when you don't feel forced to quit, but a place where you enjoy real life and your kids and wife instead of the game. In the long run I don't believe anyone can force you, You always have a choice. The question is what the REAL YOU want? Blessings, Anne

chazzz
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taithunter - Hopefully you

taithunter - Hopefully you are starting to get some moments throughout your day when your mind is clear and you can start to envision a happy future that is WoW-free. It took me about two weeks before I started having those moments. They didn't last long - I mostly viewed the world as loveless and lifeless and joyless forever into the future without my WoW - but the fact that they started to happen at all gave me great hope during the dark hours. Anyhow, all I wanted to say is that the "good" mental time keeps getting bigger and bigger, and the "dark" mental time fades. It was sometime during week three (I quit March 13th of this year) - that the good thoughts were around more than the dark thoughts. By week four the craving for the game was completely gone. That's not to say that my life is "fixed" now. My wife is still very angry, and I still am not making much money. I did a lot of damage, and that's not going to get fixed overnight. But at least I have hope, and when I quit WoW I was desperate and hopeless. Just don't play today ! :) Peace be with you.

Desire to Stop
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Thank you for this thread,

Thank you for this thread, dealing with middle of the night cravings.

Cheers, Desire to Stop
ALL quoted text (unless otherwise stated) comes from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (with wording sometimes changed only to make it more relevant for gaming addiction). I will include page numbers.

Hoping & praying for a measure of recovery for all of us today.

Arco
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Quote: from: embur Remember
Quote:

from: embur

Remember who you were before you started gaming, when you were a child, when you would go outside and play with bugs and go on bicycle rides because there was no such thing as the internet. Who you were is still in you, it's just waiting to be expressed again.

this is one of the most inspirational things i have read, it hit me like a brick in the face, and yes i held back a tear (ok maybe ONE got out). im in the first few hours of my recovery from excessive gaming trying to find something to keep my racing mind occupied and im finding this entire thread extremely helpful. ive dealt with a drug addiction so i know the next few weeks are going to be hell for me. all of this advice is like pure gold for me. i think ill take a moment to try and find that innocent part of me that ive foolishly ignored for sooo long.

thanks FreeSpirit for starting this thread.

for some people 1 minute of gaming is too much and 1000 is never enough

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I think these are all great

I think these are all great ideas in principle - but here's the thing...

When I get a crave to play, which is all the time when I have the opportunity to play, my mind is in a state where I won't let myself even consider not playing a game. Everything, my will, my spirit, my desire to read or nap or get some food or see some friends... it all gets pushed out the way and ALL I want to do is play games.

If there was anything I could make myself even WANT to do instead of playing games, I would do it - but I can't. This is how I know I'm addicted.

Does anyone understand what I'm saying? How do you guys get around this?

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How does one get a sponsor?

How does one get a sponsor? (I'm completely new to this)

John of the Roses
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Mikkiscorpion, I see you

Mikkiscorpion, I see you just joined today. Please stick around and keep reading posts and posting your own story somewhere would let the rest of us see where you are coming from, where you've been. Soon you will be a full member and then maybe you'll attend an online chat meeting or get involved in another way.

Having a sponsor is working with another individual to work the 12 steps. Find someone whose experiences and posts seem inspirational to you and ask them to be a sponsor for you to work the 12 steps with. A good suggestion, though in no way a requirement is that the sponsor be the same sex as you.

Many Blessings on your healing journey & welcome to Olganon.org!

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone

illi
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So far what I do.. kinda

So far what I do.. kinda works

1. If I want to game, I pick up a book/drawing pad and do that.

2. I call my mom. When I used to game, I ignored her all the time.

3. I ride my bike.

4. Unfortunately, if I'm having a hard time with it, I make myself a snack. I just have been snacking A LOT lately.

5. I do a chore.

6. I sing.

One step at a time.
-ex WoW player Since June 12, 2010.-

Mario
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When I want to do a game, I

When I want to do a game, I do anything else.

Mario

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hello all, i am new to this

hello all, i am new to this and i decided to share my story. early 2011 i got an android phone as a gift. not only did i think the interface was amazing but the things i could do and the many games i could play on it, i started downloading emulators for gba and others like it. then one night i decided to search for sim city ( a game i loved to play as a kid) instead of sim city i found warring states. a rts, mmo war game. at first i didnt think much of it. upgraded a few buildings, trained some soldiers and got my city started, what i wasnt aware of was the pvp aspect of the game and alliances. i managed to forget about it for a while because i rly wasnt that into the game. 30 days later i return to my city and found that it had grown so much since i left. enters the pvp aspect. the destruction of someones city was a huge rush for me. i wanted more. i started playing a few hours at a time, then a few more and then a few more. 6 months later im playing 12+ hours a day, my wife didnt like the fact i was playing all the time and not talking to her or paying less attention to what she had to say. i told her no matter what she said or did i wasnt going to stop. i was working as a janitor for the building i live in to make up for what my wife couldnt afford and gaming at work was impossible untill i figured out the password to the wifi network. added 8 more hours of play time. and i eventualy lost my job when they found "Davesandroid" on the network without permission. without the job we couldnt afford to live there anymore. and are currently about to be evicted. today is december 14th 2011 and i quit playing about 5 hours ago. the game and my choices to play have started to take their toll. i am going to lose our home but i know if i dont get a grip on this im going to lose my wife and daughter. to prevent myself from playing i told my wife to hide both of my batteries,chargers and phone. i had discussed this with a few friends in game and they believe that the best idea is to quit playing, they promised me they would attack me untill i had nothing to come back too. the urge to play is insane, id love to check and see if i was attacked or how my buildings are developing. but i know i cant. i own a xbox 360 and i usualy play that for 2-3 hours untill i get bored and get my phone and start "multi-gaming". the console isnt the problem, its used mainly for netflix and music for our daughter. its my phone and warring states. i can delete the game, but it saves a code to the server and i can delete it and pick right back up where i left off. i found this site after searching for help on google. and now im here, like all of you, trying to kick the habbit. as i type this, the only thing going on in the back of my mind is "my name is dave, and im an addict"

bgussy
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I also found this site after

I also found this site after searching for help online. I'm mostly a WoW addict, but even single player games get me obssesed in a short period. Dave, I'm so sorry to hear about your events, I wish you the best of luck recovering. Don't lose sight of what's really important around you. I'm on the same path as you are, just a few events behind. I hope I'm able to change, I don't know how things got to this point. I guess your life continues on, whether you're paying attention to it or escaping it in a game. my name is Elliot, and I'm an addict.

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Welcome to OLGA TooMuchWar

Welcome to OLGA TooMuchWar and BGussy,

Admitting you have a problem with gaming is the first step. Keep coming back, we're here to support and encourage you, because we've been there too. I got seriously addicted to WoW and it WRECKED my life. I would avoid my responsibilities and play WoW instead, or think about what I would do next time I played. That would cause my responsiblities to pile up, which would cause me to escape into the WoW fantasy world all the more. This spiralled out of control really badly, getting out of the house to run a simple errand became a big deal for me, that might be all I would accomplish for the day.

I had to quit cold-turkey, since then I've had to give up all computer games. I can even play FreeCell addictively. The good news is that with the support of this site and the people here, and admitting that I have a problem, I've turned back to REAL LIFE. It turns out that REAL LIFE is much better than my gaming ever was. Keep coming back - it works.

Game free since 11/24/2011 (Thanksgiving Day). One Day at a Time.
Available by phone (904)437-0761.

andy.n.jax
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By the way BGussy,  Please

By the way BGussy,

Please feel free to post a new thread on the I Need Help for Gamers forum. Telling us your gaming story is a great way to get introduced, and a lot of people will probably respond. Most people don't check this thread that often so you won't get so many responses here.

Keep coming back - it works.

Game free since 11/24/2011 (Thanksgiving Day). One Day at a Time.
Available by phone (904)437-0761.

The Jewish Gamer
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When I have the urge to play

When I have the urge to play video games and I can't, I snack on a ton of things or watch TV.

-The Jewish Gamer

coffee
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Hi i just started here, and

Hi i just started here, and this is 2nd day i was leave the game and the second time i tried.

Now im afraid to go back into the world of gaming, i might have run away from a problem in real life and now im trying to recovering, i know it is not easy, all the drama in the game still fresh in my mind.

Jenatorre (not verified)
Court12b: Is there any way

Court12b:

Is there any way you can switch roomates or get your own room? When I lived in the university residence, my roomate and I were not very compatible, so I requested a room of my own, and they gave it to me!!! I liked having my own room, and my privacy. I could think....

- Jennifer Ann de la Torre

Jenatorre (not verified)
BarbieO wrote: :grouphug:
BarbieO wrote:

:grouphug: I have another suggestion that hasn't yet been covered ~ go to an acupuncturist ;) During the worst of my withdrawl symptoms I decided to try this, to help with the feelings of deep sadness, severe grief, and utter despondency. The acupuncturist's office I had seen in town accepted walk-ins and the doctor took me right in for treatment. It was my first experience with an acupunturist and in truth, I left the office with a smile on my face. The doctor stood at the door as I was leaving and asked me how I felt. "I am ... happy." I responded, and utterly shocked I realized it was true. I hadn't felt happiness in such a long time. I know i was happy playing the game, but it was a different "happy" ~ filled with anxiety and driving urges for "more". This was an extremely peaceful happy ... at peace with who I am. Of course, those feelings don't last forever ~ acupuncture treatment is not a miracle "cure", but I definitely will be going back next week!

**********************************************************************

I saw a naturopath for a year, but it got too expensive. Naturopaths work on natural remedies for healing; they are also trained to do accupuncture, and other body therapies. If you can afford it, a naturopath can help you find a natural way to heal from your symptoms of withdrawal, etc. I went to a naturapathic school, so the rates are much cheaper, and I was given a discount rate because I am on disability.

- Jennifer Ann de la Torre

OGALloyd
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Since I brought my computer

Since I brought my computer and all my consoles to a "safe place", I can't reach them in any way, so I'm somehow forced not to play. I'm writing from my mother's little netbook, which isn't powerful enough to play anything, so it is safe too. It's hard to me to find any activity which employs me being able to think. You know, when we play we usually don't have time to think: our game completely fills our mind and we only concentrate on it. I love that sensation because I hate myself, so I hate being able to think, because everything I think of is negative or feels negative. Now I have to bear the presence of my consciousness. "The worst enemy you'll ever fight is yourself". I try to study, but I'm usually blocked: I feel stupid, unable to do it, so it becomes pointless, worthless. I play the piano, but I think I won't improve my skills because I'm not good enough: I quit very soon. I try to read: it gives space to negative feelings coming from myself, so it feels "uncomfortable". It's so hard for me. It seems like my life is worthless and pointless and useless, without games. I try to replace them and their thoughts-blocking power with something else but it's not the same and I suffer from that. I miss my games and their world even though I know they made my life worse. This contraddiction makes me feel a powerless idiot. It's so hard to struggle against myself.

"Fear is the first of many foes". "Perseverance wins".
Definitely stopped playing on May 22, 2014.
My "higher power" is the fellowship.

GettingBetter
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I have realized that gaming

I have realized that gaming for me is not my only addiction. I am addicted to being on my iPad. It's so portable, I can take it anywhere in the house: the kitchen counter, my bedroom, the couch, bathroom, etc. I would like to start an Olga phone meeting b/c to me, going to a chat room, is like an alcoholic going to an AA meeting in a bar. Are there any phone meetings available? Would anyone be willing to help me start a phone meeting? I have been addicted for many years....like 17! I know I need to stop...

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