Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our game addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Principles - Honesty and Acceptance

Admission Step

This step is related to the membership requirement of O.L.G.A: a desire to quit gaming.

We use gaming to avoid our pain. We live in a fantasy world. We cannot cope with whatever pain and difficulties face us in our real life. Our denial kept us from seeing how powerless we were over gaming and how unmanageable our lives had become. We admit that our lives are disturbed. We accept the fact that we are helpless before the power of gaming. We admit that we are licked as far as gaming is concerned and that we need help. We are willing to accept the fact that we cannot game like other people, like social gamers. And we surrender to the inevitable fact that we have to stop.

There are two parts to this step: powerlessness and unmanageability.

Powerlessness.  We found ourselves powerless over gaming.  We lacked the power to determine when we would play, how long, how many games, when we would stop.  Our games became more important than almost everything else in our lives. We could not control our gaming.

Have I found myself unable to control my online gaming?

Did I feel that I had no power to put limitations on the amount of time I spent playing?

Do I find myself spending time in the game, even though I don't want to?

Do I find I don't have the willpower to stop playing?

Unmanageability.  As a result of this powerlessness, our lives have become unmanageable. They are chaotic, filled with broken promises to ourselves and others, broken relationships, lost jobs and opportunities and have narrowed down to sitting in front of a screen.

Has my life become unmanageable as a result of excessive gaming?  

Is my life out of control?

Are there areas of responsibilities that I've been neglecting as a result of playing online games?

Recovery starts by surrendering and by admitting that there is something wrong. Not everyone who plays games is an addict -- those who are addicts are the ones who have lost control -- have experienced powerlessness and unmanageability.

The Solution

Honesty -- we admit the nature of the problem

Open-mindedness -- We open ourselves to the wisdom of the fellowship and the solution offered by the program, and

Willingness -- We are willing to take steps to recover.

With this, we are ready for Step 2.

Working guide for Step 1. Read personal storeis about Step 1:   Step 1, Thread 1;  Step 1, Thread 2; 
Step 1, Thread 3;  Step 1, Thread 4;  Read and share your personal stories about Step 1 here:Step 1, Thread 5