[roadracer]

I guess most things can be a addiction, for me I think it might be computer games that I struggle with. It is simple to just not buy the games and not pay attention to it, but with the games advertised and everything, and spending a lot of time at the computer, I get the urge to buy one, telling myself that it wont be like the other times, that I will limit myself, but I never seem to be able to limit myself. When I get a game I will sit here and play it non stop for days, weeks, months, till I get the strength to take the game and burn it, telling myself I will never do it again. I am not sure how much of a problem it is, as I just tell myself that I can control it, but I have been fired from two jobs from calling off work to many times to stay home and game. This all might sound dumb, I dont know, and I hope I dont offend anyone dealing with a horrible addiction.

I curently dont have any games, but since joining here, I think I have spent more time in the psych central arcade then posting, so I think spending 8 hours in the arcade is probably not helping me.
anyway, just wondering if anyone else here has this problem?

[Rose3]

I had never played computer games until about a week ago when someone showed me how to play one of the solitaire games. When I got onto my own computer and found the game on the internet, started playing it - I discovered how hours can go by as I would say to myself "I'll play it just one more time". Then at the end of the evening I would find myself trying to understand how all the time got wasted? Or was it wasted? Well, I could have been doing other things that would have been more productive and now I find myself insisting to myself that I must not spend any more time playing the game, because this activity might keep me from doing other important things. The important thing here is to realize that the game has some value (or am I rationalizing?) but there are other priorities in my life right now. So, that means that I have to either put time limit on the game-playing, or stop it completely. Because I know how the "one more game" reasoning progresses. Right now, it is just a potential "habit", not an addiction. But it would be better to attend to the other important matters of living.

[Katileena]

Yes I have similar gaming addictions too. I play World of Warcraft (which has been called Warcrack for its highly addictive nature). I have been playing the game for 3+ years and have logged hundreds of hours playing. I used to be so addicted to it I would play for days straight not leaving my room and would blow off spending time with my friends or calling in sick to work just to play. I never was fired from a job for it, but my friends resented me. Being addicted to gaming or the internet can be just as harmful as drugs or alcohol to your life and personal relationships. I still play wow, but I have changed my priorities. I only play when I have free time; there needs to be a balance in your life and games can be a part of it as long as you put restrictions up. However, if you think you can't stick with a restriction on your playing, it might be best to put it down all together.

I'm also curious as to why you play so much? Do you just enjoy it? Or are there other reasons behind the addiction. For me, I hid from reality and lived through my game for over a year. But trust me, life outside the game is better than life in the game.

[Katileena]

Yes I have similar gaming addictions too. I play World of Warcraft (which has been called Warcrack for its highly addictive nature). I have been playing the game for 3+ years and have logged hundreds of hours playing. I used to be so addicted to it I would play for days straight not leaving my room and would blow off spending time with my friends or calling in sick to work just to play. I never was fired from a job for it, but my friends resented me. Being addicted to gaming or the internet can be just as harmful as drugs or alcohol to your life and personal relationships. I still play wow, but I have changed my priorities. I only play when I have free time; there needs to be a balance in your life and games can be a part of it as long as you put restrictions up. However, if you think you can't stick with a restriction on your playing, it might be best to put it down all together.

I'm also curious as to why you play so much? Do you just enjoy it? Or are there other reasons behind the addiction. For me, I hid from reality and lived through my game for over a year. But trust me, life outside the game is better than life in the game.

[Katileena]

Yes I have similar gaming addictions too. I play World of Warcraft (which has been called Warcrack for its highly addictive nature). I have been playing the game for 3+ years and have logged hundreds of hours playing. I used to be so addicted to it I would play for days straight not leaving my room and would blow off spending time with my friends or calling in sick to work just to play. I never was fired from a job for it, but my friends resented me. Being addicted to gaming or the internet can be just as harmful as drugs or alcohol to your life and personal relationships. I still play wow, but I have changed my priorities. I only play when I have free time; there needs to be a balance in your life and games can be a part of it as long as you put restrictions up. However, if you think you can't stick with a restriction on your playing, it might be best to put it down all together.

I'm also curious as to why you play so much? Do you just enjoy it? Or are there other reasons behind the addiction. For me, I hid from reality and lived through my game for over a year. But trust me, life outside the game is better than life in the game.

[roadracer]

sorry I didnt see your post until now

The reason I play so much, well I dont work, and I have to much free time, but it is like you become part of the game, part of the excitment that is going on in the game, and you dont have to worry about all your real life problems. If I am feeling depressed or whatever, I can start playing the game lose myself in it.
It is like when people are in a constant amount of pain (physical or emotional), and instead of solving the problem that is causing the pain, they take drugs inorder to do away with the pain, and become addicted. Well games are like that drug that does away with my problems. The problem is that as soon as your done with the game your back to reality and your pain, so you end up just spending more time playing the game.
well, I hope that makes sense

[BenevolentInsanity]

I'm pretty much there with you. I play World of Warcraft myself. The one thing that makes it so addicting is the constant interaction with other people. I basically feel like I can put all my problems to the side and find a way to relax on my own.

Though this may be a form of coping with depression, I have seen that I put off way too much stuff than what I should.

[Wahzammo]

I have a massive potential to get trapped in addictive activities, I too play WOW, but I would rather be playing games than using the amount of drugs and alcohol i used to just to allow myself to be social. Thru online gaming I can still get some outside world interaction, yet without the anxiety I guess.

Plus if someone irritates me online, I can just log off. I wouldn't say that I'm addicted, just atm the general public are getting me way too tense...

If something is causing you too lose sleep, cause health concerns or get fired from your job then you really need to examine the behaviour causing these problems and get help if needed. In my case I would quit one addictive activity for another not so harmful, and I am still pretty much stuck in that cycle.

Have just started working with a new psychologist so hopefully soon things will get better for me.

Good luck mate!

[Yoshi]

I hope you get over this addiction
I wish you much luck,
Computer games are addicting
Just Like WoW ( World of Warcraft)
But what I do is, I think about my future when I'm playing these games,
And think of what else I could be doing thats funner,
And I get right off the games
Hope it helps.
Feel free to message me.

[WLFTW]

I am addicted to WoW. There were a few subjects I had in mind that I wanted to discuss here at PC, and my WoW addiction was one of them. Lo and behold this thread exists and WoW has been mentioned a few times.

The special effects remind me of a slot machine. I'm guessing that the same pleasure centers in the brain are stimulated by WoW and slot machines.

I have an addictive personality by nature. I have been addicted to lots of horrible stuff. I still am, in tobacco. I smoke two packs a day. The only way I have resolved the addictions is by removing the addictive substance or activity entirely from my life. Being on disability helps immensely as I simply don't have the money for alcohol, drugs, gambling, or any other thing I could possibly be addicted to.

It seems addictions are often resolved by becoming addicted to something else instead. I know I'm addicted to WoW because of this principle. I wouldn't have even heard of the game except my friend told me that you can sell high-level characters on craigslist. Then my rationalization was that I was going to make a living by playing WoW. That is so far from the truth. For 20-30 days of play time, the character can be sold for maybe $100-$200 and that is certainly not a living wage.

As I don't work or have any responsibilities (basically), my addiction is fortunately not adversely affecting my life.