r/gamingaddiction

Before we had kids I saw it as a hobby and harmless. I also didn‘t think it would last this far into adulthood. Before we had kids it seemed harmless because there wasn’t as much responsibility in the home.

We were both pretty young and his friends would be on the game(2k) and they’d all hop on and play for hours. 2 kids and years later, he’s still on the game. He doesn’t help with getting the kids dressed in the morning. He doesn’t help at bedtime.

Im home more and work part time but would still appreciate some help. he doesn’t clean. he’ll do some laundry here and there but nothing that actually seems like it’s making a difference.

He has very low interest in anything that has to do with the kids. It’s never his idea to take them somewhere fun like the park or museum. it’s me forcing it. he’s on before work, after work. I’m exhausted. mentally, physically, and emotionally. it’s lonely honestly. we used to be best fiends. I feel like he chooses the game over every one in his life.

I had a dad who was excited about doing fun things with us. and i feel guilty that I couldn’t give that to my kids. I honestly just didn’t know. It may not even just be the game itself because even when he’s not on the game he’s zoned out on his phone doom scrolling.

its easier to stay. I can’t imagine where I’d even begin with trying to leave in this economy.

just venting really.

Hey there. I'm 22F and have had issues with my gaming addiction for years. At its worst I can play upwards of 10 hours a day but other than that I usually average around 6. Everyone in my life seems to think 6 is too much. While I don't necessarily take issue with how long I'm playing, the things that really bother me about my addiction are how I feel when not playing and the lack of enjoyment for other activities. If I go several hours without playing any kind of game I get uncomfortable. Mild squirming and lack of focus. If I go days, there are some times that I have even started shaking a bit. I get both mental and physical reactions. That's the part I'm not okay with.

I don't really want to give up gaming, which unfortunately seems to be the advice of most addiction threads, I want to gain the ability to play responsibly without it having an impact on me if I don't. I do have other things I like, like painting, reading, and taking walks, but it's just never enough. I'd also like to know how to enjoy activities like that on a similar level.

If anyone has any advice on how to increase enjoyment of activities or to curb gaming addiction to more of a normalized state that doesn't require straight up quitting, I'm all ears. Thank you for any help you may be able to provide.