Hi my name is Ian and I am a gaming addict. I need advice to straighten out my life?

I know many of you would probably tell me to stop playing, be responsible and just find other means of being happy, but I wish it was that simple.





Ever since I was a kid I was already playing video games. Even up to my high school and college days I dreamed of being able to go professional and play games for a living. Or on the other hand being able to become a games developer, I even took up a computer science course geared toward games development in order to achieve that dream. In other words, computer games is my life.





But then again this never go the way as we plan. I was never good enough so I couldn't go pro (btw i was aiming to be a CounterStrike professional player). On the other hand I couldn't venture into games development because of my lack of talent in arts and programming. Instead I was left with a normal boring job with a normal and boring life.





I still do play games and somehow I think its eating most of my time. (for example, my office hours are about 8 hours a day and afterwards I usually play another 8 hours which leaves me just another 8 hours to rest, eat, take a bath, and commute to and from work). Even my girlfriend and family is starting to complain about my habits.





But the thing is, I've tried stopping and somehow when I do, I feel a part of me is missing. I feel most alive when I'm online with my online buddies pwning and having fun. But I also know that its taking me away from other important stuff. I really do not know what else to do with my life.Hi my name is Ian and I am a gaming addict. I need advice to straighten out my life?
Okay well it seems to me as if this major problem of yous can be solved if you weren't such a bum. GET A LIFE. video-games are for nerd losers. go out into the world. sell all of your consoles and games and travel the world with your money. one morning your gonna wake up and realize your a 40 year old that still plays video games and ur girlfriend is gonna think your a bum. even if u set asicde time to play like once a week on the weekend. i suggest that you work more hours a week or spend more time with your close ones.Hi my name is Ian and I am a gaming addict. I need advice to straighten out my life?
Im a pretty hardcore gaming addict myself. If i ever was to have somethng else to do and needed more time away, id get on ever 1 hour or so, check to see if there is scrim/tenman getting together, play one and leave. Or, I would just not play at all until i decided i really wanted to, then find people to scrim with. The more i want to play the more fun i have. I also play better in moderation, probly because it numbs my mind so fast :D
Okay, well it seemed all right until your girlfriend and family members stepped in. Since they don't like it much (and I don't blame them) I agree that you should talk to them about how much time you should spend playing games. Don't stop playing them, maybe only play for 7 hours for a month. And once you are good with that make it 6, until you come to an agreement. There is nothing wrong with gaming unless it affects your life in a negative way or annoys others. Video games are art, enjoy them. And anyways, video games have been getting worse and worse as the years go by (generally speaking). If you have trouble limiting your gaming time, bring your family into it. Play multiplayer games that will allow you to play video games while spending time with your loved ones.
ok, if you are working this hard to become a professional player then you must have some major skills!!!!!!!!!








First i would go to gamestop.com and look at upcoming gaming tornaments in your area. If you win it could eaily lead you into a professional video game career!!!








Second, i would set a limit to your video gaming like 2 or 3 hours a day. It will be really hard at first but in time you will learn it and live with it.








And of course when you dont play you feel you are missing a part of your life ( i feel the same way).








Try to spend more time with family - friends - girl friend!!!!











i am not judging you but those are the tactics i used to tackle my gaming problem.












I don't have much of an answer, but I am in the same boat as you. I play 2 specific games that could take up almost the whole day if I let them. Not naming any specifcally, but one is a MMORPG based on an older RTS series and the other is a modern war simulator FPS on the xbox 360 console.


You could probably guess both.


Anyways I play both incredibly too much. My wife complains that I don't spend enough time with her. I am actually unemployed currently, but in training for a new career. That makes it much worse. I have a lot of free time, and instead of doing anything productive I just play video games.


I think one thing you have to know right away is that video games are not bad or unhealthy. Its the fact that we play them TOO much that is unhealthy. Doing anything too much is unhealthy. It doesn't matter if it is watching TV, eating, talking on the phone, etc.


You have to set limiters for yourself. Some games, like the MMO that I play, have an option to set a timer that when it has expired, disallows any and all access to the game until the timer resets.


If that doesn't work, then make a structured plan on when you are going to play your games. Maybe for 2 hours after dinner, or something like that. And plan to do other things in the meantime, otherwise you'll just use that extra time to play more video games.


I am really trying to play video games less. I would admit to having an addiction. Every moment of the day I'm either thinking of my games or playing them.


Its bad when your dreams are all just scenes acted out from earlier play sessions in your games.


If you have the desire to do something in video games, but don't think you can do it or are not skillfully inclined to do so, you may be wrong.


Take some classes if you can manage to do so, in game design. There are so many different jobs in that field. Its not all just playing games or designing characters.


Most classes don't require any previous knowledge either, so you don't have to be intimidated of that.


You just might find that you like it.


And then your insatiable desire to play games could be satisfied.
Consult your family or your girlfriend. She'll be there to help. Set up a time table that sets aside gaming and your friends outside.
Moderation is the key to everything. Limit yourself. If you have to, have a friend put a lock on your system (Xbox allows time limits, as well as other limits) and put a password on it. You don't have to stop playing altogether, you just have to control your life.


Try going outside, maybe to a dance club or something. Spend some time with non-gaming people like parents or siblings. You could go to the library after work or take your girlfriend out. Find a new outlet for your desires for fun. I'm certain you'll find a good one.
I know this is a little crazy but maybe you should attend recovery meetings to help you cope. When i use to visit a family member in rehab there was a guy that was actually in there for his gaming addiction. Addict meetings are for addictions of all types and i think they can be very helpful. Usually there is an underlying reason for any addiction and maybe these classes can help you see where your problem started. You should right yourself a list of goals for the day and make sure these are accomplished everyday after work. These goals can be so small and dumb but as you make them your priorities you began to realize how much has been done that you never would of bothered with. Also i know this sounds a little crazy too, but try writing a letter to your addiction about how you feel.


For example,


Dear heroin,


I will never forget the time we met i was young and you made me feel so good........Then proceed to tell your addiciton of the things you have lost......Heroin if it wasn't for you i may have seen my children grow, been there when my wife died, and saved so many lives rather then introducing all my friends to you......then say goodbye


Even if you have to write another letter everyday i think this really helps you to let go.
choose your favorite 5 games for each system and get rid of the rest. if its only a couple of games you love then you just gotta be strong and go a week without it. after that you should realize how much other things you can do with your time. and if done correctly you will play again but hopefully only for 1-2 hours. During that week you need to meet people and plan events. have as much fun as you possibly can not online.





hope i helped (im quite a gamer to but i only pwn about 3 hours each weekend day and 1 every now and them on week days)
i quit gaming also, at first i also felt like something within me was missing, but when i had to haul azz to the swimming pool 6 days a week, and workout 3 other days, i soon forgot about games...and don't get me wrong, i'm a competitive cod4 player and a competitive halo 2 player, i'm not some noob who is trying to claim credits, but eventually...i broke the habit of playing games, now i stay away from games, unless challenged by my brother. and i know i wrote a run-on sentence, but i like run-ons, so yeah.
Ian I hear you about the hole that's left when your 'drug of choice' is removed. You can stop using and you can connect with your life again.





I agree with Sheyenne. Addiction requires treatment from many angles. As you have experienced, just saying ';no'; doesn't work. Awareness and admittance of the problem is the first step.





You don't need to do it alone. Best of luck!