I'm new here.

[Merdoc_Rowboat]

My Name's Matthew, and I've been playing video games as long as I can remember.

I always played by myself as a baby; Mom said I was always entertaining myself, they could go in the other room and leave me by myself and I wouldn't make a sound.

My earliest gaming memory is wave race on the N64 and it was pretty much downhill from there.

I Isolated myself from friends and family. I wouldn't do my schoolwork so My folks took my gaming privileges away during the school week.

Friday after school, mom would always take me to Movie Gallery where I rushed to the video game section to try out a new game. Time was precious, I only had a short amount of time to play these new and exciting games so I had to make the most of it.

I didn't want to do anything else on the weekends but play video games. This went on until after middle school when my folks lifted the weekday gaming ban. After that I did what I needed to do, but just enough to get by so I could have plenty of game time. My grades were slightly above average and I never participated in extra-curriculars until late in my high school career. I didn't want to pour all of my gaming energy into other things.

I believe having games so restricted from me early in life is partially why I game almost constantly when I'm not at work, or at the gym, or driving two hours to see my loving girlfriend; any free time I have is time I could spend playing video games, and if I'm not spending that time gaming I feel as though I'm missing out.

My life revolves around gaming. I go to work and while I'm there I'm thinking about all the fun I'm going to have when I get home and start gaming. Meanwhile in the back of my mind I remember all the things I really should be doing instead. Like fixing that pervading issue with my car, or looking for a better job, or planning for my future. It all gets pushed to the side.

I'm feeling a lot of sadness choosing to give up this thing that I've devoted so much of my life to. It's going to be difficult but I have to try and beat this addiction. If I'm ever going to get anywhere in life.

Thanks for reading, I'll see you guys out in the real world.

[WorkInProgress]

Hey welcome and good luck to you.

free time I have is time I could spend playing video games, and if I'm not spending that time gaming I feel as though I'm missing out.

I had the same kind f feelings. Life was stressfull because I knew I couldn't make enough freetime for my gaming desire. Every new task was annyoing. It felt awesome as i quit games and deleted all my games because I could relax for the first time in years. Sure cravings would still come . But if a friend ask me now if I want to talk a bit I don't hear the voice telling me that I don't have time for such crap. Neglect all other benefits of gamequitting and it is still worth it for me.

I really hope things work out for you. If you need any pointers  just ask and I can tell you about my experiences so far( I am at day 51 of the detox).

Greetings Mario

[Falky]

Welcome mate :), I'm pretty much the same...always looking forward to that gaming session.

Good luck!

[Merdoc_Rowboat]

Thanks friends hopefully we can help each other along the way.

[Cam Adair]

Hey Matthew! Thanks for joining us here. The sadness you are experiencing is a natural part of moving on from something that has been meaningful to you. This is the beginning of a new chapter in your life - embrace it.

[Dannigan]

We're here for ya!  I am quite new to detox as well.  It is always a good feeling to know you're not alone in the journey even if each of us may have different goals and personal struggles.  I think gaming for me was just a big bandaid covering up something I was ignoring.   One day at a time is what I say!!