LoveToKnow Recovery:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Recovery

Comments

Quaylin,

Your parents already know you have a problem. Now you need to tell them that you are ready to get help for it. Ask them to make an appointment with your doctor so you can get a referral to a therapist.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

i turn mi xbox on at like 9 n da morning and wnt get off till like 4 5 sometimes 6 the nxt morning i need help im 15 im failing classes in high school algebra 34 biology 45 and its the first six weeks mi prnts took mi xbox and i feel miserable when they leave the house i sneak in their room because i feel pain when im not playing please help me

-- Contributed by: Quaylin Williams

yes yes i need help

-- Contributed by: quaylin williams

Jordy,

A therapist can help you with the addiction. You can decide to go "cold turkey" and get rid of the XBox but that may not be the right approach for you. You will need a plan to fill in the time that you were spending playing video games, so get help from friends and family to support you in your recovery.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

hey im 15 and i spend about 8 to 12 hours a day playing xbox 360. i know im addicted but what can i do to stop. in this article i anwsered yes to everyone of those questions.

-- Contributed by: jordy

Alex,

I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned that you want to stop playing. That is the key to dealing with any addiction.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

I really can relate to Cody in many ways...I've been a gamer since I was 7 ( now being 21 ) and I don't think I would have ever called myself a "video game asddict" until I played Halo 3 online. Weeks into it I found myself lost in the game...ranking up, getting more experience and lastly getting a General rank. I've always been isolated from others, (it really is my nature) but it seemed like I wanted everyone to leave me alone, get off my back, stop talking to me when I played. Almost 10 months ago I fell in love with a beautiful girl online, 2 weeks into it we were engaged. I know pretty crazy, but I just can't live without her, not one day, anyways, Halo 3 always kept me away from her, when I talked, even talk to her now, I keep thinking about video games...playing more. A month ago...after a year and a half after I bought Halo I got my 50 rank...I felt complete, but still wanted more...it was a drug. My fiancee lives in California and I in Texas...we've been wanting to see each other since we first talked, video games keep me from getting a job or even concentrating in school work. It's a nightmare...today, my dad talked to me...( he's done that over 7 times already ) he made me see things clear...I NWAT TO STOP PLAYING VIDEO GAMES, so as of today I decided to get rid of everything I have, ( except Halo 3...as a reminder )sell it so I can finally go see my fiancee and get my life on track...sorry for this loooong input, but I feel like htis can help someone out there in some way or form. Thanks for reading.

-- Contributed by: Alex Villa

Thanks Cody...just read your comment...we are concerned about my son....we will act now and not later.

-- Contributed by: mom of zach

Cody,

I read the comments here and I care. Thank you for sharing your experience. It's a lesson for all of us that addiction is a risk for everyone, and it doesn't happen to people who are weaker, less evolved, or somehow less worthy than we are.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

I dont know if anyone cares or anyone looks at these but, for what its worth just 1 year ago i bought a PS3 because (veryone had one and they were having so much FUN) so i bought the game Call of Duty 4. i played for a week and after that i couldnt get off! i would spend hours and hours playing that game. my GPA droped from a 4.0 to a 3.2. the effects were unreal. yet i coundnt get off. i found i was turning down partys and even wakeimg up early to play the game. i found my self thinking about it everyday. i felt the need to play. It was like a drug! i guess the only way i got through it was just unpluging it and placing it at my friends house the 1st mouth was ruff, but you find that you dont need it anymore and see that its just in object. i spent 1 year of my life and i regret it to this day. Again i dont know who cares. so ya. thank you for reading my long paragraph. Tuesday 3/10/09

-- Contributed by: Cody

Devastated,

I know you will miss this person who was so important to you, but he has made his own choices about what he wants to do with his life. All you can do is let him go and look after yourself. Take care.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

my best friend just left me 4days ago..in the coldest , most sneaky ,insensitive way you could imagine. we've been together 5years,we knew each other so well and he has played video games ever since i had met him..i never played , but enjoyed watching him, spending time, but it was a mutual agreement how much time he spent and he was always sensitive to me..caring and loving..the best friend i ever had. ...until XBOX! the addiction slowly took over his life..the new friends that he never had became more important to spend time with online than me. i used to fix dinner and we would spend time together,laugh and have fun..watch movies or just go to walmart..but after he bought xbox , it all stopped. he would eat and go play, just shut the door and play. .not come out for hours. .he quit sleeping with me because he was coming to bed too late and knew it was upsetting me. oh i could go on an on, but whats the use. i begged him to get help after he completely shut me out of his life, but he just became someone else. i would hear him talking and laughing on line but he wouldnt talk to me anymore. so he told me he was moving out in 48hrs with gaming buddies. and he did. he told me fri and sat he was gone. just like that. the lying...he said they had an apt. since dec l....sneaky,lying,betrayal. and hes so cold, he doesnt even see or feel the reality of what this has done to me. im devastated that i have lost someone i loved so much to stupid evil imaginary video games. one more note , just to support this is a mental illness...he is 34yrs old..his new buddies are early 20s. . and he plays all nite with teenagers! i do pray that at some point he will miss me and realize that he has a serious problem..but for now, he has left me feeling so lost with this. i will miss him. i was the best friend that he could have.

-- Contributed by: devastated

Anon,

Your main concern should be for the well-being of your daughter. If he is unable to care for her properly, then you should be making alternate childcare arrangements for her. He won't change unless he is willing to admit that he has a problem and he needs help. You may want to consider getting counseling for yourself so that you can make good decisions for yourself and your daughter.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

My partner is addicted to games and he admits this. Only he doesn't care to cahnge or get help. I've come home from work to find he's left our 1yr old daughter in her cot the whole time I was away, she goes unfed, unchanged and loved for hours until I get home. He won't eat for days unless I make food for him and he sits and eats it in front of the comp! And plays for roughly 15 hrs a day. What can I do? I want to help but he wont do anything? Do I leave and see if that works? He ignores me most days as is and will start a fight just so I leave hime alone! Help!?

-- Contributed by: anon, nz

Alone,

If you are feeling depressed, there is help available. Start with a visit to your doctor to get diagnosed. A combination of medication and talk therapy will is the most effective treatment.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

i was never into video games but i recently recieved a playstation 2 as a gift. i think ive played it about 10 hours a day since i got it. im already a very depressed person due to alot of health issues. i cant work or have relationships anyway. playing the games keeps my mind off of the pain i feel everyday due to my health problems. i haven't been getting much work done though, i am an artist. i feel as though i should limit my game playing to after dinner instead of watching tv. that way i will have had all day to complete projects.

-- Contributed by: alone in NJ

Jusitn,

It may not be a realistic goal to stay offline altogether, since using computers has become part of our everyday lives. If you think you will be able to use the computer without sliding back into playing games for an excessive amount of time, then take the laptop. You may want to make a deal with your mother that she can take the laptop back if you start to play computer games again.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

What direct steps do you think should be taken? My mother has told me I am addicted to computer games, and I deleted all my games and gave my computer to my mom. Now I live mostly out of the house, but my mom still questions herself as to whether or not she should give me a laptop. Naturally, I am in favor of it, but my mom says it may feed my addiction. Since I gave up my computer, I Haven't played anything but the occasional internet games, which bore me after a short time. Do you think I should not take the laptop? I think I can control myself, but I'm not sure

-- Contributed by: Jusitn

Tyler,

You could try approaching your brother directly and telling him that you are concerned about him. You could also share your concerns with your parents or another adult that you trust and ask them to intervene.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

sorry i forgot to ask my question in the previous comment. how can help?

-- Contributed by: Tyler

hey my brother, i think, is addicted to games, he fits in all the symptoms, he gets bugged eyed, and now its hard for him to focus on anything not on the tv. the only problem is he doesn,t admit to haveing the problem. I think he convinced himself he doesn't have the addiction but still resumes playing

-- Contributed by: Tyler

Sasuke,

A therapist can help you; please see your doctor to ask for a referral.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

If you are feeling suicidal, you need to seek help right away. Tell someone (parent, older sibling, teacher, your doctor) how you feel or go to the Emergency Room to get help. A therapist can help you; please ask for the help you need.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

I am Addicted to Video Games. My grades at schoola are suffering because of it. I need help

-- Contributed by: Sasuke Uchiha

I used to be a popular guy during the school year but ever since middle school all i want to do is play games all i can think about a school is video games. As soon as i got gears of war i was hooked to the online community. My family only wants to help but the only way out right now looks like suicide i need help

-- Contributed by: M.Young

Jason:

I appreciate that being a teen can be very challenging, to say the least, and it may feel safer for you to play the game right now than to go out into the brick and mortar world to interact with people. If you are concerned about the amount of time you are spending playing computer games, please talk to an adult you trust about trying to find some other activities you can participate in.

Jodee Redmond, LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

I'm 14 years old and ever since my brother came home from highschool that one day with a game called medal of honor, ive been hooked on the computer non stop. I am not to the point where it keeps me from hanging out with friends or anything, but I do delay eating a few hours if I'm playing a game I'm into. I really like to get out of the house once I do, but its hard to get myself out there considering I'm not the most popular guy ever. I really need some advice to get myself off this.

Incase you care, I put myself up to this, I play on the PC, and I play mainly Battlefield 2, Call of Duty 4, and thats pretty much all now days. I also have a ps3, and I have EA Skate and Need for speed: pro street.

I feel ashamed of myself for getting to this stage.

-- Contributed by: Jason W

Well, I know this is odd, but im addicted to video games. My Xbox 360 has deffenatly paid off for me though. In 2007 i bouht my 360, and played it not too much. I soon bought Halo 3 and became very addicted. I soon climbed my way apon hours and hours of play. I am a current Pro in Halo 3, and now am going Pro in the new Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. I know im addicted, but it paid off for me. But, the statistics of this happening are very low. I relize this, and I am very lucky to be were I am. Ann, tell your son of these stories, it will help.

-- Contributed by: Kreighton B.

Annmarie,

I understand that you are very concerned for your son's welfare. Unfortunately, unless and until he wants to get help for this problem, seeing a therapist won't give you the results you are looking for. If I can make a suggestion, you may want to consider finding a therapist that you can talk to about your feelings around your son's addiction. You may be able to learn some strategies to help you deal with your stress levels; I imagine they are through the roof over this issue.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

I need help for my son.... I don't have an xbox, got it out of my home three months after purchase. My sons whole life changed. well if that wasn't enough he wanted to hang out with people whom had them and would go to their house. If thats not bad enough there is always the computer for which he isn't allowed and I take the cord to work with me. This ... is destroying my family. He is sixteen years of age and I am a 41 year old single mother. What happened to my son. Counseling, thats for the birds. There is never a cure they just keep you coming for more money.! My son is addicted and I am loosing him with no help of my own to this "EVIL" MONEY Making machine. Why are we allowing these companies to continue to destroy our children??? I can't get away from this....

-- Contributed by: Annmarie

Lily,

We are very glad to help!

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

this web site was a really good one i had to do an assinment on video game addiction and the info you gave me was great. thank you for your help

-- Contributed by: Lily

Betsey,

Good luck! I hope that you are able to find other things to occupy the time you would have spent playing games.

Jodee Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

I found this article really useful. I am addicted to the sims 2, and am working on keeping a promice. I am not going to play ANY video games for a year(yes it sounds extreme but I tried doing it slow and it didn't work out as well as I would have hoped). I have a 3 month old daughter and I am doing this for her. I started this on 2/2/2008. wish me luck

-- Contributed by: Betsey

Hi Laurie,

I found this article online with specific suggestions to help a child who is addicted to video games. Here's the link: http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/50/116.cfm

I hope this helps. I would also suggest that you make an appointment with your family doctor to get some suggestions about how to get help for your son, since he refuses to go to therapy.

Take care.

JC Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

My 15 year old son is totally addicted to video games. We are desperate for help. He refuses to go go therapy. We live in Burlingame, CA.

-- Contributed by: laurie

Hi Kelly,

Please contact Computer Addiction Services (http://wwww.computeraddiction.com) for a referral to a therapist in your area. The number is 1-617-855-2908 or you can send e-mail to Orzack@ComputerAddiction.com.

Hypnosis is sometimes suggested as a treatment option for addictions. Please consult with a therapist to find the best course of treatment for your son.

Take care.

JC Redmond LoveToKnow Editor

-- Contributed by: JC Redmond

My 21 year old son did well his first year in college. Second year all F's due to his gaming. He has motivated me to go to college to get my degree in psychology... with the hopes of someday opening a treatment center for gaming addicts. 2 years in now.

-- Contributed by: Kay

My 20 year old son (college sophmore) has a video game addiction involving WOW. Getting him involved in therapy is a sensitive issue so I want to connect with the most qualified therapist. I have struggled to find a professional with experience in this area and thought you might refer me to resources in the St Louis Missouri metro community. Also, have you found hypnosis to help at all? PLEASE send recommendations to the above e-mail address.

-- Contributed by: Kelly
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