How can I break this addiction?!
Question: I have an obsessive compulsive personality, it's just natural for me to get hooked on one thing or another. I really want to get hooked on something good. Let me share my history with you.
When I was younger, I was addicted to video games, SNES, NES, Sega, N64, PS1, PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, Xbox360, and then at about 16 and 17 got hooked on several different online MMO's, World of Warcraft and Star Wars Galaxies. I have been successful however, in getting addicted to weight lifting, and I have been now for 2 and a half years and have a body-builder's figure, but it's so hard for me to believe that I'm still struggling with this.
I gave up video games. COMPLETELY. I quit world of warcraft for good this last november. I've recently got addicted to guitar, which is fine, but I've also found myself addicted to this stupid online forum called 4chan. It's just a funny place with funny images and I find myself spending a lot of time there, hours a day. Someone please give me some ideas? Ty.
Answers: I have an obsessive compulsive personality, it's just natural for me to get hooked on one thing or another. I really want to get hooked on something good. Let me share my history with you.
When I was younger, I was addicted to video games, SNES, NES, Sega, N64, PS1, PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, Xbox360, and then at about 16 and 17 got hooked on several different online MMO's, World of Warcraft and Star Wars Galaxies. I have been successful however, in getting addicted to weight lifting, and I have been now for 2 and a half years and have a body-builder's figure, but it's so hard for me to believe that I'm still struggling with this.
I gave up video games. COMPLETELY. I quit world of warcraft for good this last november. I've recently got addicted to guitar, which is fine, but I've also found myself addicted to this stupid online forum called 4chan. It's just a funny place with funny images and I find myself spending a lot of time there, hours a day. Someone please give me some ideas? Ty.
You may have an addictive personality also. This can be hereditary. Some people get addicted to things easily. Alot of it has to do with the availability of what u become addicted to when your in that zone where you need to fill your time with somthing . Some people are predispositioned to abuse (use somthing too much or become hooked on ) various things. The thing is, there is a root to alot of these things, and feelings that go along with them, Feelings of lonliness, boredom, the need to numb or zone out, or Feel somthing exciting. Once you feel those things, the next thing is reaching out for the "fix" ( it can be drugs, alchohol, tv, computer, video games....shopping) See the pattern. You are easily addicted to things, when you reach out to fill a need, or try to distract yourself from feelings and such. If those Games and computers and Things wernt there when you were looking for somthing to do, it would have been somthing else. I recomend stepping outside, backing away from all of the elecronic things, and get plugged into Helping others. VOlunteer, anywehre. Youd be surprised what kinds of places need people to come and help do things. Unplug those things you find yourself doing all the time, and surround yourself with healthy things, like you said, weightlifting and guitar. Being (within reason) addicted to healthy things can really make a difference. Alot of it has to do with willpower, and limiting yourself. Youve taught your brain to go to those certain things like your games, when you feel lonly, bored, or stressed, in need of pleasure and happiness, -- and you will keep doing it while it keeps giving you what you NEED. I assure you if it wasnt within reach and available you wouldnt start to crave, and need to play that stuff as much. You would learn to live without it. But like you said, YOu will start to replace ONE addictive behavior for another.. But Reach for somthing different, like reading, writing, walking, hiking, volunteering somwhere, getting a job, ect... If I were an alchoholic and addicted to drinking, would i keep on setting at a bar and drinking? well yes until you realiaze its a problem and see that its taking all your time, money , energy, emotions ect. and that you decide you want to change. YOU have seen your behavior and know its not healthy. NOW do somthing about it... wich takes actions. Do somthing different, and if you cant, ask for help, seriously.. Parent, friend, sibling, or another person like a professional. Seriously-- down the road it wont be games and such, I assure you that. Find your reasons why YOU feel the need to compulsivly do these things. WHen you find yourself tempted to play the games and whatnot, H.A.L.T (STOP) and ask yourself a few questions -- are you Hungry, Angry, Lonly or tired? Start out with those because they spell out halt , and run down the list, and when you didnt stop to ask yourself, you Do run to those things that you found that (H) Fill you up, (A) numb the emotions, (L) keep you company and occupied, (T) keep you from recognizing body needs like being worn out. See I know i rambled on a bit, but You can change by replacing your old habbits with new ones. :) good luck
MAKE yourself stop...put a timer on for how long you want to do it, then when it rings just use willpower to stop. Or...just avoid 4chan completely; busy yourself with better things to do.
Get a girlfriend.
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Make yourself go outside. As soon as you get wrapped up in something else you'll forget about it. Get out of the house and line yourself up activities that keep you away from the computer. You say you have an obsessive compulsive personality so it shouldn't take long to get you loving some outdoor fun.. something that INCLUDES your girl.
Your addictions thank God aren't anything that could kill you. I do think that you should see a doctor about your problem cause it's been going on for years even though you change addictions. You definetly should put a time limit on your new addiction and stick to it. Maybe 45 minutes a day, and if you find yourself picking up a new addiction, then put a time limit on that too. Do you work, have a girlfriend, or friends to help occupy your time? It doesn't seem like it. If not get yourself out in the world and meet people to hang out with. It should be hard with a nice body and all. LOL.
You could set up a reward/punishment system for yourself - that works for me. IF you are obsessive/compulsive, it might work for you.
The timer idea is EXCELLENT, but you must hold yourself to some punishment if you don't stop, and give yourself a little treat if you do. If you don't think you can hold yourself to the reward/punishment system, ask your dorm-mate or girlfriend if they could help you. I bet your girlfriend coudl think of some wonderful treats and punishments. :-D
I can imagine that obsessively playing a video game would get in the way of a lot of important life-activities. Good luck to you.
Allot a specific amount of time to spend, then schedule it. Set a timer or clock , & when your time is up, STOP!!!Gradually decrease the mount of time, & eventually wean yourself off..