All of these solutions miss the mark when it comes to the source of the problem: habitual behavior.
The other day, I heard a terrific quote. “It’s impossible to break a bad habit. It must be replaced.”
I had no friends when I started my sophomore year of high school. After two dates with her, my father married his childhood sweetheart. My freshman year of high school was spent on the streets, with my mother bouncing from one place to the next.
In other words, I went from being homeless to living with total strangers. I completely transformed into an introvert. My escape turned into a game. MMOs, in particular, and Star Wars Galaxies, even more so? This occurred in 2001 when DSL and high-speed internet were just starting to gain traction.
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Suddenly, I could leave my jaded existence and mingle with hundreds of fascinating individuals who shared my interests.
I spent most of my sophomore year juggling school and gaming. I would play video games whenever I wasn’t at school. My stepmother never questioned me about my habit since she was a stranger to me. I was given the freedom to play whatever I wanted. I discovered a new passion at the end of my sophomore year: theatre and music. I joined the choral and theatre programs at school.
Side note: Zac Efron and I went to the same school. I ended up with the role of the prince in “Once Upon a Mattress” while he was my jester. His voice hadn’t changed yet at that time (He was a freshman) so they gave me the lead hehe.
In any case, as I sang and acted more, my gaming obsession faded. Oh, believe me, it didn’t go away, but it was replaced by another love.
I could go on for another ten pages on my gaming addiction’s ups and downs, but I’ll skip forward. I am now a parent and a spouse. I’m still playing games. On average, around two hours after the child has gone to bed. Keep in mind that I’m still a HEAVY alcoholic. That is something I do not dispute. I adore playing video games. Especially if you’re in charge of a bunch of other gamers (I run a decent-sized gaming organization on discord). I enjoy leading people for some reason. Maybe it’s a matter of control.
How do I manage to just play a few hours a night? I have replaced much of my habit with other loves. Wife, kid, music, and life. I will always love gaming. Trying to quit all together is silly. Why quit something I love and is harmless in mediation? The key for me and most with addictive personalities is to replace your habits with new ones.
Find an online therapist for your Gaming addiction
If you ever want to talk about gaming addiction, please message me. This is something I know very very personally and still struggle with daily.
Oh, and I did not post this anonymously because, if you can’t answer it truly, why answer at all?
In any case, as I sang and acted more, my gaming obsession faded. Oh, believe me, it didn’t go away, but it was replaced by another love.
I could go on for another ten pages on my gaming addiction’s ups and downs, but I’ll skip forward. I am now a parent and a spouse. I’m still playing games. On average, around two hours after the child has gone to bed. Keep in mind that I’m still a HEAVY alcoholic. That is something I do not dispute. I adore playing video games. Especially if you’re in charge of a bunch of other gamers (I run a decent sized gaming organization on discord). I enjoy leading people for some reason. Maybe it’s a matter of control.
Find an online therapist for your Gaming addiction
