A guide to wow addiction

[justaferaldruid]

i just wanted to share this. i'm so tired of hearing about wow addiction and nobody having anything constructive to offer. i've come close to logging permanently a few times in the past two weeks. :undecided: Coming across this article helped me think straight a bit. if it helps any of you then i'm glad

http://mmogphilosopher.blogspot.com/2008/05/7-step-guide-to-healthier-gaming-part-i_05.html

[Xlorep DarkHelm]

...huh?

I'm sorry, but I don't know you, and even though that is a blogspot link, I am not going to trust it. Your first post is nothing more than promoting another site, which this site doesn't serve as a linking post, so sorry. I think you can consider this reported, I'll leave it to the mods to make the final call though.

[justaferaldruid]

well i'm sorry if that happens. i got nothing to gain and just wanted to share this. didnt really know where else.
have a nice day
tim

...huh?

I'm sorry, but I don't know you, and even though that is a blogspot link, I am not going to trust it. Your first post is nothing more than promoting another site, which this site doesn't serve as a linking post, so sorry. I think you can consider this reported, I'll leave it to the mods to make the final call though.

[elsegundo]

i think its better to discuss it here than link to some other site that has it already discussed, from a certain point of view. maybe you can share what you've learned instead of simply saying you were lost then something hit you and now you see the light. i really wouldnt care too much since i dont know you, nor do i have your problem. make it relavent. or something. you have an addiction? describe it.

[Xlorep DarkHelm]

Precisely -- if you had a history on this forum, something I knew, and could relate to, then maybe I'd be more interested in following the link, because I knew you. But I don't. As such, if you are new here, it would behoove you to at least explain yourself, your position, etc. more thoroughly rather than a "follow this link to understand what I mean without me actually saying much about it" kind of a thread.

[justaferaldruid]

well i don't think i've got an "addiction" but managing my life and wow has never been an easy thing [along with other mmo's i've played]. i can see your point elsegundo. again i'm sorry to have caused such a stir already.

I don't want to get weird but i checked my /played a few days ago and it hit me how much time i'd put into this game. i'm ashamed to mention it. since then i haven't logged on much except for AH stuff.. it's just been looking for ways to improve my circumstanses a bit. seeing this article helped so i wanted to share to the world. once again sorry if it was the wrong way

[Twoflower]

just read the article. if you never did anything like this, you could learn a thing or two.

being carefull is one thing, but you can overdo it.

[elsegundo]

i've heard people say that mmo's, in general, are addicting. but i find that its not the mmo per se, but rather the things you can do in them that is addicting. with that, i know im addicted to leveling and gaining gold. that's pretty much it. i dont care too much about end game instances as acheivement milestones. but getting an epic mount, making a character of every race and class, etc, is what draws me to counless hours of play. i know... since getting this game i've gained about 20 lbs but i plan on (key word: plan) working out and stuff in the summer. =]

many people that play know they are addicted, whether they call it a soft addiction or whatnow, they know they're drawn to this game. others dont know. im glad you found help.

[justaferaldruid]

it's just so good to hear responses from other gamers about so called "addiction", because it doesn't make the issue feel so .. i dunno... serious/intense/lonely?? i don't know if there's a word for it, without sounding like a weirdo. i don't even know if it's suitable to share this kind of thing here.

elsegundo, i too have happened to put on a few pounds since my days of wow began, but also plan to get back into soccer (or football as many call it). why do i love the game? levelling and gain gold are up definitely up there, but for me it's also about the prospect of loot drops and solo'ing above my level. good luck with your summer plans :)

[clevins]

..........

never mind...

[Xlorep DarkHelm]

Ok, glancing over the article, it looks like umm.... simply setting up priorities in your life. Less about addiction, and more about what should be common sense, at least to me.

Personally, I find it more than a little frustrating that people seem to make the logical leap that enjoying something implies being addicted to something (if I enjoy playing WoW, I must be addicted to playing WoW). Addiction actually is tied to being dependent on it, chemically, or even psychologically -- the former is, quite honestly, impossible. The latter happens to those who have some need in their life to be filled, and WoW (or anything else) takes up that role. Honestly, I have a hard time believing the latter is anything more than someone making themselves a slave to something else... like to WoW. And to me, that's just umm... a factor of weak self-control. Nothing against people who do that personally, it just is such a foreign concept to me that I can't place myself into that kind of a role.

I enjoy playing WoW. I tend to play WoW rather than watch TV, or a number of other leisure activities... in part because of physical limitations due to a back injury I have, but also in part, because I derive the most enjoyment from playing WoW for the time being. I also never let it interfere with other things in my life. Setting priorities, determining what is important in your life, and taking responsibility for your own actions is, to me, one of the defining attributes of maturity. Unfortunately, there seems to be only a small percentage of people who have figured this all out in my experience.

[Daedelus84]

Thank you for the link! I found the article very useful! :)

[justaferaldruid]

Xlorep Darkhelm,

i'm glad you're able to balance wow and life so well. if u could share some tips, i'd for one appreciate it a lot. i wouldn't say i'm a slave to the game, but on occassion it has felt that way. i'm going to be honest there. it's more about managing life (some do it well like yourself, others find it more difficult) and this article just gave me a really clear shot at finally doing somethin about it

anyway thanks for ur input

Ok, glancing over the article, it looks like umm.... simply setting up priorities in your life. Less about addiction, and more about what should be common sense, at least to me.

Personally, I find it more than a little frustrating that people seem to make the logical leap that enjoying something implies being addicted to something (if I enjoy playing WoW, I must be addicted to playing WoW). Addiction actually is tied to being dependent on it, chemically, or even psychologically -- the former is, quite honestly, impossible. The latter happens to those who have some need in their life to be filled, and WoW (or anything else) takes up that role. Honestly, I have a hard time believing the latter is anything more than someone making themselves a slave to something else... like to WoW. And to me, that's just umm... a factor of weak self-control. Nothing against people who do that personally, it just is such a foreign concept to me that I can't place myself into that kind of a role.

I enjoy playing WoW. I tend to play WoW rather than watch TV, or a number of other leisure activities... in part because of physical limitations due to a back injury I have, but also in part, because I derive the most enjoyment from playing WoW for the time being. I also never let it interfere with other things in my life. Setting priorities, determining what is important in your life, and taking responsibility for your own actions is, to me, one of the defining attributes of maturity. Unfortunately, there seems to be only a small percentage of people who have figured this all out in my experience.

it's the least i can do, happy gaming mate

Thank you for the link! I found the article very useful! :)

[Xlorep DarkHelm]

Xlorep Darkhelm,

i'm glad you're able to balance wow and life so well. if u could share some tips, i'd for one appreciate it a lot. i wouldn't say i'm a slave to the game, but on occassion it has felt that way. i'm going to be honest there. it's more about managing life (some do it well like yourself, others find it more difficult) and this article just gave me a really clear shot at finally doing somethin about it

anyway thanks for ur input

I'd say upbringing, combined with military training. I'm not going to say I'm always perfect at it, but I just try to keep my priorities straight. God, family, work, friends (in that order)... after that, is anything else. My girlfriend falls sort of between the family through friends area, but she understands that I need to work to live and such.

[frimley]

Addiction actually is tied to being dependent on it, chemically, or even psychologically -- the former is, quite honestly, impossible.

Actually that's not entirely true; recently there's been quite a bit of research into brain activity during gaming, which has shown that it (gaming) can increase dopamine production in the brain, which is often linked to addiction.

[Dakiter]

I think any addiction stems from what is going on in your life. This is not a 100% statement either. Not everyone is that same. I for one have a very addictive personality.

Most addictions are used as an escape. When things are going well in ones life something like an MMO can be looked at as a hobby or a past time, but when things are not going well in a persons life they get looked at as an addiction or a way from hiding from real world issues. People do it with alcohol or drugs and for some reason now games get the same classification.

There are some points that need to be made. First, there are no healthy addictions. Secondly, only you can control your behaviors. Hoping for someone else to come along and straighten you out is an excuse to continue your actions. Coming to terms with your actions is not an easy thing but in the end will make you a stronger person.

I am no doctor, I simply speak from experience. I am an average 30 something that is going through a divorce and dealing with the aftermath of a few rough years. I wish I had wow in my life back then because I was one of those people that took to hiding in a bottle. I didnt need AA and I didnt need to give up drinking, I simply needed to come to terms with the reasons why I was acting the way I did.

If you think you have an issue with the amount of time you spend in game then the only way to change that is by acting on it. For a week cut your time in half. See if you feel any different. Then proceed from there. No one is going to be able to give you a perfect blueprint on how to improve yourself, but the best place to start is by listening to yourself.

I hope this helps and doesnt come across to high and mighty. There is few things worse then being down on yourself and not knowing how to fix or control it. Good luck friend.

[Xlorep DarkHelm]

Actually that's not entirely true; recently there's been quite a bit of research into brain activity during gaming, which has shown that it (gaming) can increase dopamine production in the brain, which is often linked to addiction.

I somehow knew someone would bring up that little concept. The same could be said about any activity where you enjoy yourself. It is what is commonly referred to as a psychological dependence. A chemical dependence is often from some external chemical being introduced into your body, the body adapts to be able to survive, and as a result ends up requiring it to function. Dopamine isn't an externally produced chemical.

I think any addiction stems from what is going on in your life. This is not a 100% statement either. Not everyone is that same. I for one have a very addictive personality.

And personally, I do not have an addictive personality. I could never get myself to a situation where I let something other than me control my life.

Most addictions are used as an escape. When things are going well in ones life something like an MMO can be looked at as a hobby or a past time, but when things are not going well in a persons life they get looked at as an addiction or a way from hiding from real world issues. People do it with alcohol or drugs and for some reason now games get the same classification.

When things were at their worst in my life the beginning of last year -- my ex-fiancee stole my mother's car, drove halfway across the country to go back to her ex, who she described to courts as being abusive to her in every way imaginable, I was pretty down on life at the time. I played WoW primarily as a way to release the pent-up frustration and aggravation, all in a safe, and non-dangerous method. Some people might claim "well, he was just escaping", when it was more that I just needed a way to vent. And I decided to take it out on the wildlife of Azeroth and Outland...

There are some points that need to be made. First, there are no healthy addictions. Secondly, only you can control your behaviors. Hoping for someone else to come along and straighten you out is an excuse to continue your actions. Coming to terms with your actions is not an easy thing but in the end will make you a stronger person.

Agreed

[Kugan]

Most addictions are used as an escape. When things are going well in ones life something like an MMO can be looked at as a hobby or a past time, but when things are not going well in a persons life they get looked at as an addiction or a way from hiding from real world issues. People do it with alcohol or drugs and for some reason now games get the same classification.


Indeed. I remember this article about a boy whose parents were getting divorced, and he was taking it quite badly. The psychologists decided that he needed help with his…. WoW addiction.

I always wondered why they didn’t focus on his other problems (since I saw the WoW addiction as a symptom of the problem).

[Dakiter]

Xlorep - You are right. One of the things I meant to put in my post originally was that everyone is different. Everyone reacts and behaves differently to different situations.

[elsegundo]

wow xlorep... im sorry to hear of your ordeal. but what doesnt kill us makes us stronger. i'd hit the clubs and lounges and have COD4 nights with my friends, but WoW works too!

[Dakiter]

xlorep - I feel your pain man. The hardships in my life that cause me all those issues boiled down to women. I am glad to hear you are back on your feet!

[Xlorep DarkHelm]

xlorep - I feel your pain man. The hardships in my life that cause me all those issues boiled down to women. I am glad to hear you are back on your feet!

yeah, found out this is a pattern she does, and as such, no longer felt any personal responsibility for how it turned out. I don't even hate her -- after all, I can't be angry at someone for being who he or she is. I do pity her, and the life she's made for herself, but I've long since moved on.