This strongly reminds me of quitting smoking over twenty years ago: Just when you think you're out of the danger zone you stumble back into it with full force.
I had some good time after selling my console and shutting down my Steam account. I did a lot of work and was more present in everything I did. For some time I really felt free from games. But my problem during the last two month was boredom. I still can't fill the time that I set free with satisfying behaviour. Nothing really "kicks" me except my Karate. But I can't train 24/7... :(
So here I sit in my free time and think of gaming (again): "Buy a PS3 and play GTA V! Only this one game!" Ah, **** it. "Buy a PS Vita! It's only a handheld. You get along with your iPad, right?" Ah, **** this too!
I am spend hours surfing websites and comparing prices (great deals right now, argh!) just because I don't find anything else to do. I think of moderation. Next second I tell myself: Forget it, you can't moderate, so stop the thinking!
Right now, I'm morally down. I don't have the feeling that I will give in to the gaming urge. As I said, I know these flashbacks from quitting my smoking. But it's not very satisfying to just hang around so much. Please don't give me any advice on what to do like "reading", "watching TV shows", "walking around" or "meditation" unless you can come up with something exceptional like "join me on a space flight" - been there, done that. Today I went to a Yoga class with my wife, which was nice, but just one hour of "entertainment"...
When i crave for games i try to remeber how bad games influenced my life and i wake up to reality. Also, i noticed that watching youtube videos with those games that i was addicted or visiting their website and reading new news makes my craving worse so my advice is to not read or watch anything related to games by all means.
I think on moderation too when i try to decide if i should play video games again, but from past experiences i know that i cant moderate myself, when i start to play i do it for countless hours and then i fell depressed and quilty.
Hugs Silverback. I agreed with avlad92. You can try these activities but ignore #6.
http://opishposh.com/101-things-to-do-when-youre-bored-at-home/
Sometimes I also do the thing that I don't really like to do just to fill the time.....also keep an open mind to other activities...you may find it enjoyable as well.
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
Hi Silverback,
I'm one of the newer addict-members to this community, and I must admit that I'm impressed that you've lasted without gaming for such a long time. so congrats! I haven't had that much success quitting yet (only 17 days, then recently failed D: )
This next section is totally my opion btw:
About the time/boredom issue, I think it might be really difficult to ever replace time spent on videogames with something that gives you so much immediate satisfaction/reward and excitement for hours upon hours. Maybe the only replacement, the only true one (other than other addictive substances/things), is the feeling of self-satisfaction, contentment and fulfillment that comes from living life to the fullest.
I don't know that I've ever lived my life to the fullest. But I bet it's tough but feels really good and takes up all of your time. I don't know if you have any big goals in life, but 2 of mine are to publish some books
(continued) and to be a music composer.
Do you have any big big dreams, places you want to see, travel? etc. Hope this helps
Hi Braden, welcome and thank you for your words. The "problem" is that besides my gaming addiction I pretty much live the life I always wanted to. My greatest interest (martial arts) is my job now, my children are happy (I guess) and old enough to mostly look for themselves and the relationship to my wife is strong too. Maybe I really should seek out some higher goals. Money never was a great motivation in my life, so career isn't what I'm looking for. Hmm, difficult...
Hey Silver,
I'm three months clean and having a similar problem. Those cravings are coming back, in the form of dreams and a little voice in my head saying "what harm can it do?" For me my resolve against it comes from remembering my rock bottom, and the fear that even a moment gaming will send me straight back there.
Although, filling the time is difficult, I've been unemployed all that time and filling time is hard without a job! - I've mostly been watching tv on netflicks, and occasionally going to the beach etc, I need to get into some more recovery behaviours.
I feel your pain Silver. All of the ads for GTA V are getting to me too. Even before the GTA V craze, the cravings hit me at least twice a week. When they do hit me, I remind myself how pathetic I was when I was a gaming addict. It wasn't pretty.
Hang in there. You can beat this!
Stopped Gaming: June 22nd, 2014.
Hi Silverback,
I'm very new as well (5 days sober). I am very envious your life isn't a mess like mine (able to do your job, relationship with your wife and kids good). Boredom does suck. I am trying to fill my time by going to meetings (AA, church, counselling, talking to people). I think talking to people is the key. I don't really want to, I'm not really comfortable talking to people and I tend to isolate. I don't even really know what other activities I like beside gaming. I guess i'll have to try a few and let time tell. I defintely agree by keeping away from temptations. I unsuscribed from gaming related facebook posts and emails and keep away from the websites. Thoughts about games always pop into my mind, but I try to gently push them away and bring my focus back to something else in the present moment.
I want you to succeed, because it means I can succed.