Hi everyone,

My names Dan and I’m a gameaholic, it’s been 6 days since my last sesh.

I’ve been gaming since I was old enough to hold a controller, and now in my mid-30’s with two young daughters and my marriage on the brink, I decided it was time to accept that I have a gaming addiction. Accepting that as truth has taken me nearly 10 years, it always used to be a regulated habit but over the last decade it’s become an obsession. I sold my Switch and all my games earlier this week, big moment!

My question is; should I stop watching videos about gaming too? I haven’t been playing but have found myself watching videos about gaming on YouTube, but is this not really quitting as I’m still thinking about gaming?

Interested in peoples thoughts.

Before I quite gaming, I was a massive RPG fan with notable favourites such as Skyrim, Xenoblade Chronicles, The Legend of Zelda, Fable, and Mass Effect - as well as my all time favourite KOTOR 1 & 2. I will miss playing these games but ultimately I’ve already given them too much of my life, there’s so much more out there.

Anyway, great to be here - looking forward to contributing and following everyone’s journey! Game Quitters For Life! 

Edited July 19, 20232 yr by SmeejDad

Absolutely quit watching gaming. It's a major trigger to relapse if you want to quit gaming. 

yes/ I made a new google account and it really helped me to quit and focus in first and hardest days

Yes, and quit listening to gaming music as well.

I'm not a gaming addict, but here is a helpful video by Cam :)

 

Gaming triggers a powerful dopamine release, but something that we often misunderstand with dopamine is that it's being released as we're planning to do or anticipate an activity. This is why you're feeling re-energized and happy at the end of work on fridays, because your mind is beginning to picture a scenario that involves a great dopamine release. This is also why we feel a rush when we see commmercials for fast food, new tech stuff etc. We can totally picture the steps that will enable us to have those things in our lives and the ability to imagine that process is very powerful within itself. So with that in mind it is very triggering to watch gaming videos as you are building anticipation for something that gets no release, and your mind will try to wrestle you into giving into that release, at all times. Watching gaming videos only serve the purpose of those who are gaming and can get that release, because for them the entire circle of addiction is completed. The cycle of dopamine don't start with them gaming, it starts with them imagining themselves gaming.