Please create forums about Internet & technology overuse

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tealhill
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Please create forums about Internet & technology overuse

Hi,

Thank you for maintaining this helpful website.

I wonder if you could please rename the "Gaming" tab at the top of the website to "Overusers", and create two new forums inside the tab?

I propose the following titles and descriptions:

* Internet Overuse: For those who spend too long on Facebook, chatting, forums, online dating, the World Wide Web, or other online activities.

* Technology Overuse: For those who spend too long on TV, movies, computer programming, or other offline activities.

This would be helpful. (There do exist some other Internet addiction forums elsewhere online. But only one is truly active. And even that single forum has a poor page layout, contains annoying ads, and runs no meetings whatsoever. Internet overusers might benefit greatly from using this site instead.)

Regards,

--tealhill

Sheep-330
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Thank you for suggestion,

Thank you for suggestion, but I believe this is mostly related to video games, yes you can be addicted to facebook chatting or similar site, but it is mostly for video game players, that however doesn't stop anyone who is addicted to what you mentioned to come here and share the story and ask for advice since everyone is welcome. While all addictions share same physiological traits, each one is distinct from one another and this site is focused mainly on providing support for video game addicts.

tealhill
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Hi Sheep-330. I see you are

Hi Sheep-330. I see you are new here. Welcome to the site!

I neglected to mention the following in my original post: My suggestion was addressed exclusively to the site staff.

I believe the staff may approve of my suggestion. (In fact, Internet overusers already sometimes post on this site, in the recovering-gamers forum, and seem to be welcome there. But I would like the staff to please create a separate forum for them.)

Now let us wait and see what the site staff decide.

Andrew_Doan
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I agree with this and should

I agree with this and should ask Liz to consider. :)

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.

Gettingalife
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I've thought about something

I've thought about something similar myself and will make a point to bring this up at our next administrators' meeting.

Acceptance. When I am disturbed, it is because a person, place, thing, or situation is unacceptable to me. I find no serenity until I accept my life as being exactly the way it is meant to be. Nothing happens in God’s world by mistake.  Acknowledge the problem, but live the solution!

Patria
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Whatever happened to

Whatever happened to "singleness of purpose"?

dan1
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Whether or not to create

Whether or not to create forums to discuss these problems is indeed a question for site administrators to discuss, and we will.

tealhill wrote:

I neglected to mention the following in my original post: My suggestion was addressed exclusively to the site staff.

Well, whether to change the Traditions, which delinieate the membership of OLGA (those who desire to quit gaming, Tradition 2), i.e., whether to expand the fellowship to include other addictions, would be a question for the larger OLGA membership to answer, not just site admins. As an admin, I'm charged with keeping the site functioning as a safe place for recovery. But as an OLGA member I'm just another recovering gaming addict, who helps others and is helped in return, just like everyone else. At the moment, the OLGA fellowship follows the current traditions, and focuses on the problmes caused by compulsive gaming. The site serves the fellowship by providing a venue for us to meet. Thus Sheep's comment was not out of line in any way.

I also find it amusing that tealhill, who joined the site nine hours ago, welcomed Sheep-330 to the site, saying "I see you are new here", since Sheep-330 has actually posted his story on the site and has been a member for some 21 hours, well before tealhill showed up. So I would like to welcome tealhill to the site, as you are so new. I also see that you made your suggestion less than two hours after you joined the site. I would encourage you to look around the site further. Are you a compulsive overuser of the internet yourself? Are you looking for a self-help fellowship that is based on Traditions and offers a program similar to many other self-help fellowships? Please introduce yourself to us.

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.

Bill F.
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TealHill,  Welcome. While,

TealHill,

Welcome. While, as Dan already said, whether or not the felllowship decides to change it's traditions or alter the website to add in a section on internet overuse is something no one individual can control. The staff running the website may choose to add a section addressing internet overuse or not. I am not one of them, so I can't say if there's a good chance of this happening or not.

However, I can say this: I relate a lot to what you've mentioned about how internet overuse can be really detrimental to my life. It was definitely a lesser addictive behavior that I had to deal with, and still deal with at times.

So if you are looking to stop overusing the internet and escaping through it, my suggestion is to come to chat meetings, talk with other addicts one on one, and get a sponsor and work the steps. I think you'll find a lot of gaming addicts who can relate (like I do) and you'll find your own recovery by doing so. Good luck, and I hope to see you at a meeting soon.

Last game played: April 24th 2014

dusty0
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I have some pretty strong

I have some pretty strong (and conflicting) feels about this, and I'm going to try and use my recovery skills to address them :)

Firstly - I feel a little bit defensive about this whole topic. As dan pointed out, Teahill just created his account. It seems a bit soon for someone to start making changes. Also, his aggressive response to sheep raised an emotional response in me. I did not want to echo that aggression, so I decided to sleep on this. I hope Teahill is not deliberately trying to cause controversy.

Now, I already said that I have conflicting thoughts and feelings about this topic. Firstly, I feel strongly compelled to NOT exclude anyone from our fellowship. Addiction is an awful disease and I want to encourage anyone who might be able to derive even the slightest bit of help or support to participate. I am afraid to use language that might suggest that we at OLGA do not accept those with other addictions or problems.

That said, the idea of widening the scope of OLGA frightens me. I am afraid that it will damage the mission and message of THIS site by diluting it and possibly creating cliques. As I understand the subject, addiction can manifest through the abuse of many different substances and activities, and each of these activities can create its own constellation of symptoms or problematic behaviors. Furthermore, addicts can be addicted to multiple substances/behaviors simultaneously. I was drawn to OLGA because my primary issue is my inability to control my gaming. I also have an unhealthy relationship with social media and probably watch too much TV. I keep coming to OLGA because the people here are like me. I can relate to their experiences and their struggles with games. The stories and issues people share here about their gaming problem deeply resonate with me. While I can sympathise with those who struggle with other addictions, like to weed or Facebook, I simply don't know what that feels like in the same way I know what it feels like to play 10 hours of games straight the whole time wanting to stop. I worry that if OLGA adopts all forms of technology addiction (OLGITCA?) its overal message will become diluted, and the fellowship will suffer.

I'm inclined to look at AA as an example. While many gamers have found that attending AA meetings have been helpful for them, Alcoholics Anonymous has not become "Alcoholics, Video Games, and other Addictive Stuff Anonymous". I'm inclined to look at this issue as what's on my side of the street. I think I should keep myself open to others and allow them to visit my side of the street. I can even prepare for their arrival and set an appropriate place for them, maybe with some snacks. But, I do not have to change the wall paper for each passing guest.

I think that OLGA already has a welcoming fellowship, open doors, and a place for talk about other issues related to addiction - General Chat in the Community forums. Perhaps literature could be added (maybe in the form of stickies) to direct people with more general technology addiction issues to sites or forums that more closely match their experience. Again, I do not wish to exclude anyone, but I also don't think it's wise to make fundamental changes to the message here. I think Patria's point is like a razor. I know this is not a democracy, but I vote to keep OLGA focused on gaming addiction.

dan1
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dusty0 wrote:  ....I know
dusty0 wrote:

....I know this is not a democracy, but I vote to keep OLGA focused on gaming addiction.

Oh, but it is*:

2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as each one of us understands God, as expressed in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

Thank you, dusty, for your clear analysis and explanation, for sharing with us what your conscience is telling you.

In two days we will have a group conscience meeting via SKYPE, to talk about the reflection pieces that are being written, and perhaps edit or approve some of them. Any OLGA member may participate. Other agenda items may be brought up by any member.

*The olganon. org website has administrators, is organized, and is not a democracy, as it can't be. The OLGA fellowship, however, is a different matter, and follows the Traditions, operates by group conscience, and is not to be organized, per Tradition 9.

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.

Maggie
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Hi Tealhill, Welcome to

Hi Tealhill,

Welcome to Olga! Thanks for sharing your feedback on the website. I think once you have voiced your concern, you should just leave it at that. I am just very grateful to have a website like Olga for my gaming addiction. I personally could care less if there are two tabs under the Gaming tab but that is just me. If you review the mission for Olga is primarily for those who are trying to recover from gaming addiction. If the closest site you found is Olga, you can still benefit from here and I am glad you have found us.

"Mission Statement: On-Line Gamers Anonymous is a fellowship of people sharing their experience, strengths and hope to help each other recover and heal from the problems caused by video game addiction."

I don't know what your poison of choice is but I found Olga meeting at 9pm Eastern is the most helpful in my recovery and I hope this will do the same for you. I also created a personal blog to share my personal experience with newcomers who are suffering, and I hope you will find it helpful.

http://olganon.org/?q=node/41941

Hugs,

Maggie

It's good to have goals and dreams, but while you're waiting for things to change, waiting for promises to come to pass, don't be discontent with where you are. Learn to enjoy the season that you're in--Pastor Joel Osteen

drj
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My 2 cents ... I think that

My 2 cents ...

I think that there is an inevitable blurring of the edges of what is "gaming addiction" for instance you could include gambling (think of gaming for reward via online games delivered through phones and tablets).

However I also agree that this is a focussed organisation and I'd hate to see it diluted by what tealife is suggesting.

My counter proposal would be that there could be a place for other forms of Internet overuse in terms of a discussion forum rather than changing the nature of the organisation as a whole.

Drj

SecondLife escapee and qualified Counsellor.
I am very interested in working with South-UK based clients facing the challenges of Internet addiction in any of its aspects - please PM me.

tealhill
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Dear dusty0, dan1, Maggie,

Dear dusty0, dan1, Maggie, drj, and all: Thank you for your kind replies.

dusty0 wrote:

Firstly - I feel a little bit defensive about this whole topic. As dan pointed out, Teahill just created his account. It seems a bit soon for someone to start making changes. Also, his aggressive response to sheep raised an emotional response in me.

You are right. I now realize that I acted foolish yesterday.

dusty0 wrote:

I'm inclined to look at AA as an example. While many gamers have found that attending AA meetings have been helpful for them, Alcoholics Anonymous has not become "Alcoholics, Video Games, and other Addictive Stuff Anonymous".

I believe Narcotics Anonymous takes all addicts, even if they're addicted to something other than narcotics. But they're not specialists in technology-related matters. Based on a suggestion I got at a local multipurpose meeting yesterday, I plan to check into Gamblers Anonymous or Sexaholics Anonymous. Both are probably more knowledgeable about technology-related matters, since gambling and pornography are often accessed online. Surely I am welcome in their "open" meetings. But I hope to also find out whether or not I am welcome at their "closed" meetings.

dan1 wrote:

At the moment, the OLGA fellowship follows the current traditions, and focuses on the problmes caused by compulsive gaming. The site serves the fellowship by providing a venue for us to meet. Thus Sheep's comment was not out of line in any way.

My mistake. Sheep-330, I apologize for the aggressive response.

dan1 wrote:

I also see that you made your suggestion less than two hours after you joined the site. I would encourage you to look around the site further. Are you a compulsive overuser of the internet yourself? Are you looking for a self-help fellowship that is based on Traditions and offers a program similar to many other self-help fellowships?

Indeed. For years, I have been struggling with Internet overuse. I lurked here for a little while, then joined the site in order to start this thread. I live in Toronto, Canada. I hope to get help through in-person twelve-step groups here. I also hope to mostly lurk around this website instead of being a highly active poster. :)

drj wrote:

there could be a place for other forms of Internet overuse in terms of a discussion forum rather than changing the nature of the organisation as a whole.

Hear, hear.

dan1
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tealhill, Thanks for your

tealhill,

Thanks for your thoughtful response. I think that technology addictions are significant, and I imagine people here will want to talk about it a bit.

All of our meetings are open, except the 12-step meeting, where we specifically work on that portion of the program, and the parents' meeting. You are free to come to any of the other meetings.

Nice to meet you. See you around.

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.

Maggie
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You are very welcome,

You are very welcome, Tealheel.

It's good to have goals and dreams, but while you're waiting for things to change, waiting for promises to come to pass, don't be discontent with where you are. Learn to enjoy the season that you're in--Pastor Joel Osteen

dusty0
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edit - I originally posted

edit - I originally posted from my android phone. The crazy font size was chosen for me by the phone. I fixed it now. It was never my intention to come across as angry, yelling, or in any extreme emotion. I tried to fix the colors too, but have seemed to make it so much worse. >:( So, yellow it is. I give up trying to make it perfect.

Tealhill,

Thank you for coming back. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to recovery.

drj wrote:

there could be a place for other forms of Internet overuse in terms of a discussion forum rather than changing the nature of the organisation as a whole.

Drj

But there already is such a place!!! The description of the general forum is: This is a general forum for posting anything related to game addiction (within reason).

General technology addiction is, I'm my opinion, clearly related to game addiction. Why not post there?

drj
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Hi Dusty, I personally feel

Hi Dusty,

I personally feel that there is a wide spectrum of technology related addictions and that separate sub forum(s) could allow discussion of them without impinging on the core purpose of the organisation.

Sure, there are other forums out there that might be more specialised but people might well land here and 'we' should be welcoming them; their need and desperation is just as great as someone suffering a gaming addiction. There is a lot of experience here related to the step programmes that could be shared with them and knowledge of other sites or organisations that may offer specific assistance.

Best wishes,

Drj

SecondLife escapee and qualified Counsellor.
I am very interested in working with South-UK based clients facing the challenges of Internet addiction in any of its aspects - please PM me.

Maggie
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dusty0 wrote: edit - I
dusty0 wrote:

edit - I originally posted from my android phone. The crazy font size was chosen for me by the phone. I fixed it now. It was never my intention to come across as angry, yelling, or in any extreme emotion. I tried to fix the colors too, but have seemed to make it so much worse. >:( So, yellow it is. I give up trying to make it perfect.

Tealhill,

Thank you for coming back. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to recovery.

drj wrote:

there could be a place for other forms of Internet overuse in terms of a discussion forum rather than changing the nature of the organisation as a whole.

Drj

But there already is such a place!!! The description of the general forum is: This is a general forum for posting anything related to game addiction (within reason).

General technology addiction is, I'm my opinion, clearly related to game addiction. Why not post there?

Now you are yellowish...less angry man.

It's good to have goals and dreams, but while you're waiting for things to change, waiting for promises to come to pass, don't be discontent with where you are. Learn to enjoy the season that you're in--Pastor Joel Osteen

drj
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Hi Dusty, I take your point

Hi Dusty,

I take your point about the General forum. I can see where the closer-related addictions would fit with the General forum. What happens when someone struggling with an online pornography addiction comes along? Often I find that many people have multiple addictions both online and offline - my suggestion was aimed at providing a separate forum so that discussion of different/related addictions didn't mean that the General forum didn't get cluttered - the dilution of purpose I mentioned.

That general forum seems the 'welcome' forum that the key clientele, gamers, are likely to land in. If discussion of other, possibly quite different and possibly challenging topics, end up in general I feel that gamers might have difficulty in finding the help they might be desperate for whilst trawling through unrelated stuff.

... and I fully accept that it might well go unused - so we could get rid of it after six months if that happens.

Best wishes,

Jon

ps. I have no axe to grind here - I'm more than happy with olganon the way it is and it can be argued easily that it's 'just for online gamers' to keep that sense of purpose 'full on'. Perhaps even a page where some of the other sites specific to other addictions were linked-to would provide a little helping hand for those that land here struggling with something else. I personally would not want to ever turn away a person in need though and the membership has some valuable experience to offer.

SecondLife escapee and qualified Counsellor.
I am very interested in working with South-UK based clients facing the challenges of Internet addiction in any of its aspects - please PM me.

Tommi
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A view from an admin (and

A view from an admin (and board member)

We are Online Gamers Anonymous - this is what we are and our primary purpose is self-evident in our name and our mission statement can be found on our welcome page

Major changes to the website are not possible at the moment owing to financial and other resource constraints. Sorry but that is a reality we have to live with because we are 100% volunteer fellowship and supported through our 7th Tradition.

Further discussion on this topic is in my opinion, redundent.

I am active in NA (Narcotics Anonymous) face to face meetings. This fellowship has over the years expanded from Narcotics (which refers to opiods) to a range of addictions including alcohol and (not universally but in some groups) online gaming. I find support for my addiction recovery in NA and recommend any gaming or computer addict to do the same.

drj wrote:

Hi Dusty,

I take your point about the General forum. I can see where the closer-related addictions would fit with the General forum. What happens when someone struggling with an online pornography addiction comes along? Often I find that many people have multiple addictions both online and offline - my suggestion was aimed at providing a separate forum so that discussion of different/related addictions didn't mean that the General forum didn't get cluttered - the dilution of purpose I mentioned.

That general forum seems the 'welcome' forum that the key clientele, gamers, are likely to land in. If discussion of other, possibly quite different and possibly challenging topics, end up in general I feel that gamers might have difficulty in finding the help they might be desperate for whilst trawling through unrelated stuff.

... and I fully accept that it might well go unused - so we could get rid of it after six months if that happens.

Best wishes,

Jon

ps. I have no axe to grind here - I'm more than happy with olganon the way it is and it can be argued easily that it's 'just for online gamers' to keep that sense of purpose 'full on'. Perhaps even a page where some of the other sites specific to other addictions were linked-to would provide a little helping hand for those that land here struggling with something else. I personally would not want to ever turn away a person in need though and the membership has some valuable experience to offer.

Olga/non member since Dec. 2008 Check out my latest video on Gaming Addiction and public awareness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6JZLnQ29o

drj
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Fair enough! I didn't start

Fair enough!

I didn't start this thread!

SecondLife escapee and qualified Counsellor.
I am very interested in working with South-UK based clients facing the challenges of Internet addiction in any of its aspects - please PM me.

dan1
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Thanks to everyone who has

Thanks to everyone who has shared here--very good ideas and insights from all. It has been a very thorough discussion of this interesting and important issue. My thought is that it's usually easier to keep on with something like this, than it is to focus on our recovery. Let's be honest: recovery is very hard. So I'm basically agreeing with Tommi that we've probably explored all the interesting possibilities, and we can safely go back to the ditch-digging and let this thread sink to the bottom of Recent Posts.

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.

Rats
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Hi, The OLGA site is listed

Hi,

The OLGA site is listed as an affiliate on the seemingly inactive site of a 12 step group calling itself ITAA - internet and technology addicts anonymous. (netaddictionanon.org)

This group seems designed to address general internet addiction, but the site doesn't look like it's been touched since 2009. I wrote to the address yesterday, but also wanted to ask if anyone here knew whether it was active?

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This subject came up on a

This subject came up on a previous post and the I think the answer was that it's not active.

INFO

Help for gamers here

Help for parents of gamers here

Help for spouses/SO's of gamers here

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

Online meetings gaming addicts click here

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