So I've finally come to terms and accepted to myself that I'm addicted to videogames...

So I've finally come to terms and accepted to myself that I'm addicted to videogames, I present all of the symptoms an addict has, including having some anxiety and I've noticed I'm becoming some sort of a loner.
Shit it all comes down to family issues and I think videogames were my way to escape reality.
I'm almost 21 now and I've had a relatively normal life all around but since I broke up with my past gf and a bad acid trip my flaws became more apparent realizing that most of my problems have come because I'm so heavily addicted to them I think I may have social anxiety due to this it's sometimes impossible for me to strike up a conversation with a girl because of this shit, any of you Sup Forumsros have had a similar experience to this? Or anyone who can give me some advise on what to do now, I never imagined myself coming to Sup Forums for help but let's give it a shot

I wasted a lot of time gaming in my teen years. I'd spend entire days playing Halo, the elder scrolls, and many other games. I wish I would've done something more productive with that time, but what's done is done. As for my social life, I've been suffering quite a bit since I still binge game once in a while.

Yeah I've been there too, I just now see it as a huge waste of time when I could have been doing something more productive, now I don't know how I will cut them off

You can eliminate social anxiety simply by going out more. Go for walks, hang out it in public places where there is lots of people, make eye contact and smile a little.

Yeah, sometimes I have nothing to do and I'll resort to gaming again, I'll try just chilling outside

It's definitely a coping mechanism. We live in dark times, and every time we think about what's going on in the world our brains automatically turn into safe mode and look for an easy escape from it all, and video games happen to be the closest and easiest fix.

Exactly that's what disturbed me the most, to realize that maybe I don't game as much because I like it but because I've been actively trying to escape reality, it sucks man

Really, the best thing to do would to be completely remove it from your life, or cut back on it, occupy your time with some sort of hobby, and then, limit yourself to an hour or two at night when you're done with your day.

Nice almost quints.
I totally agree with you, I'm going to try to cut it down to 2 hours at most and start having a regular sleeping schedule. Any
Particular hobby you can recommend me?

Pretty sure I'm going to fail some of my classes this semester because I'm addicted to them, so I know your feel bro. I at least have a job, a low paying one, but it makes me get out of the house. I would be much worse off if I just stayed inside all day playing them. I just don't know what to do replace them, I think there's a good chance I'd get addicted to anything I replaced them with. I think we may be more addicted to escapism than anything, but it's hard to imagine what can replace them that isn't escapist in some way.

I have my classical guitar and piano, and I also study botany on the side. Maybe grab yourself a field guide on wild edibles and medicinal plants, study it over the winter, then go out into the woods with your guide once spring starts to come back around. Get grounded in nature. Study and observe. Its honestly the most beneficial and healing things a person can do.

I used to work at Starbucks not long ago, and it really helps to have a job to cut down on gaming hours even though I craved to play, and just as you said I have no idea on how to replace them. I want to be able to withstand reality and work on my mediocre social skills

Yeah, truthfully when I'm working, I'm thinking about games and other bullshit, but at least I'm being productive, and the thoughts allow me to do my job well (by not being miserable). And I wish I could give better advice on social skills, mine have become decent enough to where I think I can fake normalcy for the most part, though I try to avoid talking about myself and revealing my power level. I guess just try to listen mostly and relate to what the other person says, that's probably the best way to begin acting normally in social situations. And if you can get a nice hobby that is socially acceptable, eventually you can mention it in conversations.

That sounds amazing, sadly I live in Mexico City so no forests nearby, maybe I could do something similar to that, I also love music and I would like to feed that passion, I need to be able to really invest myself into something else

It's good to hear that your job keeps you focused, it helped me a lot too but the pay was so shit for the work I did, and it's been lately that I've noticed that I've become more isolate your way of doing it sounds great and I'll try to fake it till I make it

The pay has been good enough, and I generally like my job. I've also been doing it for long enough that I have a lot of freedom, so I can spend time alone if I don't want to bother with people, or hang around coworkers if I'm in a good mood. I'm very fortunate to have a job I don't hate, like many people do. I hope you can find one too, user.

Gaming addiction, or IGD (internet gaming disorder) has been recognized by the DSM, but so rarely that it require further study. There have been a few successful interventions in helping people with gaming addiction. Check out kimberly young's 2009 article on gaming addiction/IGD. There is also support groups online available for the same thing with tons of resources. IGD effects

I realize how sperg that sounded. I feel better about things after i learn about them. Hope it comforted you a little op

I'll check out the article, and as you said it's a shitty coping mechanism, I've also been smoking weed quite a lot but I can't deal with myself just escaping my reality. Thank you very much for that last paragraph, accepting this to myself has been really hard and scary but it's time to do something.

Have you ever thought about owning an animal like a dog or a cat? When I was going through a real dark time in my personal life, I was thankful that I had my dog with me to help me through those times. Yes, taking care of an animal is a great responsibility to undertake, but the benefits of having an animal around make it all worthwhile. They can help motivate you, they bring joy and happiness when you're feeling down, and they can help you gain confidence when talking to other people. Most people like animals, and they can be great ice breakers when you're unsure of what to talk about by being center of attention. Just be polite and answer any questions they may have honestly. I wish you the best of luck.

I have a 6 figure paying job and play video games 30+ hours a week. I get home and play video games. I have a girlfriend who also enjoys playing video games, some with and without me. It’s about balance and finding someone who enjoys things you do. Quit being a bitch.

Thanks man, I do have a dog and as you said he's really awesome, having long walks with him is something I really enjoy.
Thank you for your words kind user

im 27 and completely fucked my life because of video games, got a 100 000 gamer score on xbox i used to look at that number grow and feel pride now when i see it, it just represents wasted years and i get depressed and shit, tried just not playing but then remember i dont really like other people and dont have any other hobbies nor interested in other activitys so i end up just going back to games, shit is worse then meth

I get where you're coming from, and that i sound like a bitch but I'm in the point where I'm not getting any shit done because I prefer staying home playing. The worst thing is that I know it's my fault but I preferred to ignore it, seriously dude I wish I could just quit it

Shit dude I also have a 100 000+ gamerscore and also felt proud of it. Now it fucking haunts me seeing that and the number of years I've been a gold member, so much fucking time lost that even now I'm feeling ill thinking about it.

Are you good at any games? Do you have a job at all? What do you play on? Nowadays there’s millions of ways to make money playing games. If you enjoy it try that. I play and stream on twitch and make money doing what I’d be doing anyway just in front of an audience. For me personally it would never be enough to live off of but that’s because I have a high paying job that I also work at a lot and have debts and other obligations. Could be an answer. Or just fucking stop playing and get your shit together. It’s not that complicated.

OP, you need to turn this thread and your life around. Seems like you’re just caught in a loop, reflecting on the wasted time. It’s time to move forward.

I’m 18 now, but I was actually diagnosed with internet addiction (internet and video games) by a psychologist. Just going to therapy and talking really helped, but one thing made me stop. There was literally one day where a switch just flipped and the compelling desire to play just sort of disappeared. Let me explain. All throughout my late elementary school, middle school, and early high school years, I was severely addicted. Poor social schools, stayed inside, etc. But, when I hooked up with a girl for the first time, I changed for the better. I’m a guy who is very much into girls, and I realized that the video games were clouding my mind and that girls would never be interested in me if I continued the unhealthy lifestyle. This is what made me stop. Photography is my hobby now. I do outdoor nature shots. I love being outside because I feel like I’ve spent far too much time inside in front of screens. Good luck to you. Look to the future.

I'm actually quite good at the games I play, I mostly play on Xbox some rocket league shit is amazing, I tried streaming for a while but my internet speed is shit and each match would be a laggy mess, I currently don't have a job I'm only going through college and I wish I could just stop playing but it has been an almost lifelong addiction, fuck man even typing it makes me feel so bad, I know I need to get my shit together literally today I accepted this to myself and it has been on my mind all day that I made this thread.

you are a fucking retarded for not making money via streaming or something. move somewhere with better internet or something whatever. What a dumbass

That is absolutely true, being in this loop isn't beneficial at all, reflecting on my past choices I've driven the girls that have been with me because of my addiction. Shit is done and there's nothing I can do about it but to avoid losing more time, photography also really interests me I really want to give it a try anything actually that let's me move on from this

seriously ? is it in the DSM-V ?

Yeah I'll just grab everything and move to somewhere where there's a better internet connection only so I can stream. Really fucking genius

Ain't there birds or something ? any animals you could identify with just a pair of googles would do the thing.

Also (i'm speaking from my personal experience) if your computer is always on your desktop, always turned on, it's easy to be attracted. Just shut it down, move it somewhere else. And perhaps buy a little laptop for work or something.

Ah also you could try to (i don't know if you work or if you're still in University) hang out with friends or coworkers on a project, or at least do social events with them. you'll get used to these things and the "craving" for video games may fade a little

good luck dude

Not to be rude, but you sound like you really need help. Do you have access to a qualified therapist? You should seek this out at least as a starting point, although therapy needs a decent time commitment to be effective.

Continuing on what I was saying above, you need to find something that motivates you to stop. You’ve seen how the addiction has negative effects on your own life, but that isn’t enough to get you to stop. You’re like a rat in a Skinner box, right? Reminds me a lot of myself in the past. You need to find something more compelling than video games, whether it is a goal, an idea, anything.

I find it impossible to talk to women because there's no avenue to talk to women. If I start up a conversation randomly in my travels I imagine what'd happen is they'd yell rapist or something.

So the best advice I can give you is that the asian brothels are quality, do not visit white women brothels.

I also spend my time playing video games, mainly driving simulators

Not rude at all, I'm aware I have a problem and that I need help, I've never even considered going to the therapist but I'm open to that, and what did you do how did you get out of this?

I had to change my gaming life drasticly... I trow my Xbox long time ago out from the window of my room. I didn't solve immediately but in the long term it helped. Now I'm fighting against porn addiction... we all have problems is just up to us to fix them

I’m the same guy who has posted a few times now. I definitely recommend seeing a therapist. If you find one you like (therapists aren’t one size fits all), it can really help. I got out of my addiction by finding something that I wanted more than the predictable instant gratification of video games. I basically decided that chasing girls was more important to me than playing. Amazing that even with school and everything it was the girls that got me to stop.

what'd motivate me is the idea of a simple date, but yeah that social connection is lost thanks to zombie phone culture.

I dunno, see a therapist.

I've heard wonders of Asian brothels, if I ever know of one near me I'll go there.
One thing I have done that helps me to chat with girls is tinder, but sometimes because of gaming I even forget to answer their messages

Thanks for hanging around dude, I will look into it as I seriously want to be able to turn my life around, also girls are a massive motivation for me.

Yeah tinder is grate when I was using it was damn fun... had to date girls all the time... probably it became an addiction too... and of course if you are busy dating you won't have time to play games... maybe tinder for my point of view teaches to lie and pretend cuz you won't want to see those people again

I will, also I agree that most of us have adopted that zombie lifestyle and its really bad

Even hooking up sometimes there was sometimes stressfull, you have to get to know them and sometimes it'll lead to nothing, but the times I got pussy from it were gold