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Posted

Hello everyone,

I am new here. I am 33 years old from the UK and I have a problem with online gaming addiction. I have started gaming since a young age. I don't really know when gaming became an addiction for me but definitely the last few years have been really bad

I find that gaming is a way to escape the stress of life and avoid facing my problems. The more I game, the more I feel like I am left behind and the harder it becomes to catch up on the work I have missed. I also find that gaming is related to other destructive habits that have affected me very badly such as online pornography & bad eating habits. This have led me to social isolation and the gradual erosion of my relationship with my partner and family

My first attempt at abstinence was few months ago and I was clean for 45 days! I relapsed due to a huge surge in pressure and stress from a family event and then found my self gaming on a regular basis for 30 days as a reward for having had to deal with that family event. I have a very good job in the healthcare system in the UK and that I have found have been a huge protector of my life in that it has kept me going through the hard times of my gaming addiction but it also comes with its own stresses

Now I am 2 days into my second attempt and thats why I have decided to write on this forum. I have seen Cam's video's online and they have been extremely helpful in getting me to where I am now. I am very determined this time and I feel more confident than ever that I could quite for life. I have learned a huge amount from my first attempt and failure taught me a huge deal. I have watched these two video of Cam's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTeV0yIpMig&list=PLOY3TVLxX8P43w44d3WvQg3Oo9WX3FFTm&index=7, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5jnmwt5Q9w) and I find they have been really really helpful in giving perspective on why I am the way I am and practical ways to maintain a game-free life.

My first milestone will be to achieve 60 days and then 90 days and then life abstinence with the aim of complete self control of my behaviour

I am here to share my storey and welcome anyone to this journey with me :)

I am wiling to answer any question that you have but I will otherwise update this thread on my progress every Sunday afternoon

Much love

Theo

 

 

Posted

Hey Theo! Awesome to have you join us here. Part of this journey is learning how to deal with stress in your life. Stress is natural and although we can mitigate it a lot in my opinion, it's hard to avoid completely. I would encourage you to use this opportunity to learn more about how to manage stress and develop other tools like meditation and resilience to overcome it in the future. If you haven't seen my video on dealing with stress without gaming, watch it here.

Posted

Hi Theo. Good to see you here. The main thing is to be honest about your self and, really wanting to change your lfie to the better. It is a good basis to have a job you like. I kind of envy you on that but well after strying i will hopefully find one too. I will follow your weekly reports wiht great interest. Thank you for sharing your experiences with the community. Its not only helps yourself it helps many people(like me) to continue their progress.

greetings

Mario

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Posted

Thank you for the support and advice. Stress management is definitely something that I will need to work on so thanx Cam for the link and yes Mario I am finally honest about my addiction and determined to change for the better.

Thanx again for the support and I will keep you updated on my progress this week :)

Theo

Posted

Hi Theo welcome ☺!

I feel I can relate to you in so many ways! We are about the same age, I have been in destructive online gaming aswell, I am addicted to porn also.

I am currently quitting gaming and tobaco, so I cant quit porn just yet, but I sure will in the future.

I can also relate to the feeling of social isolation gaming brings. It is a negative spiral especially when gaming is used for dodge stress, I have been doing it aswell for years.

I hope we can help each other to find new ways to handle stress in life, Cam seems to have great ideas and this is topic is quite interesting.

Hope to have some more talk with you in the future ☺

Posted

Hello everyone

This is my weekly update on my progress since my first relapse. Its 1:44am in the UK, just drove about 200 miles from London so I am really tired but I am committed to this cause and the community.

Its been 7 days now, no gaming, no porn, no procrastination and a tidy room !! Fuck me, I feel good... but I have been using social media, FB etc are on my hit list next :) Stress have been high since I had my appraisal... passed with a good report! Dont know how but thank God for that!

So things that have helped me stay away from the games... mmmm, I have the four reasons that people relapse stuck on my room door: Boredom, Stress, Feeling good and Reward! Also I have become more organised by keeping a list of the things I need to do and this have kept me busy and in check. I dont use my mobile before sleep or after I wake up... this have been good because I am getting really good sleep now. 

I know its only been 7 days, there is alot more work that need to be done but I am feeling good now and I feel normal again.

I have a big theatre list tomorrow morning....wish me luck!

If I think of any other useful things I will share them here

Thaer

Posted

Hi Theo good that you see first improvements. Maybe you can moe this thread to the dailyjournal secton though. It doesn't have to be updated daily. If you like another rythm thats fine. Teere we share our storys and thoughts about gamequitting and improving our live. Thank you for sharing anyway just a note from my side ^_^

Posted

Hello everyone

This is my weekly update on my progress since my first relapse. Its 1:44am in the UK, just drove about 200 miles from London so I am really tired but I am committed to this cause and the community.

Its been 7 days now, no gaming, no porn, no procrastination and a tidy room !! Fuck me, I feel good... but I have been using social media, FB etc are on my hit list next :) Stress have been high since I had my appraisal... passed with a good report! Dont know how but thank God for that!

So things that have helped me stay away from the games... mmmm, I have the four reasons that people relapse stuck on my room door: Boredom, Stress, Feeling good and Reward! Also I have become more organised by keeping a list of the things I need to do and this have kept me busy and in check. I dont use my mobile before sleep or after I wake up... this have been good because I am getting really good sleep now. 

I know its only been 7 days, there is alot more work that need to be done but I am feeling good now and I feel normal again.

I have a big theatre list tomorrow morning....wish me luck!

If I think of any other useful things I will share them here

Thaer

Great job! 

Posted

Hi Theo,

I just read your introduction and it looks like you're doing great! As soon as you can find activities to fulfill the needs that gaming did, you will be able to combat the stress and boredom you may experience sitting around as well as activities to reward yourself with activities other than gaming (this was a real trip up for me). If you have the time, it may pay off to have a look at my first relapse during the 90 day detox that I have experienced.

Keep it up and I look forward to seeing how you'll improve in the future!

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Hello Everyone

Attempt II

Days in recovery: 18

Days till 90: 72 

 

Sorry but I didnt manage to update last week as I have had an exam - it went ok :). 18 days so far, Dota have been creeping on my mind I must admit, but I have managed to shake it off. Keeping busy.  really helps.

The main thing for me is to stay organised... it really does help me to stay focused. So far I am feeling good and strong and hope this continues till I am free.

Thank you Alex for sharing your story I have read and its really really good and all the replies are very very useful to read.

 

I will move this section to the diary section and start a proper diary there. Its been great for me, doing work and gettings things done.....almost feel normal again :)

 

I will come back later on the day and read the rest of your diary because I though it was really helpful

 

Thnx again for sharing

 

See you next week

 

Theo

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