Gambling addiction? How to Play Moderately and Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Have you ever had the feeling of wanting something? And do you need it immediately and without delay? However, the feeling that you want to eat your favorite food? And, when that food is in front of you, you would feel the thrill of putting that food in your mouth and savoring its sweetness.

Let’s talk about black and white vices, such as the feeling of wanting to drink alcohol to be drunk, the urge to play, the urge to smoke, etc. Or, let’s talk about the need for our basic survival: the need to eat, the feeling that you need a comfortable room right away, or the feeling of sleep and need a bed to rest and sleep. That feeling is the same as when you are addicted to games.

I remember I started playing PC games during my college days in 2000. During my high school years, I used to tell myself that I would never play video games and that I would never spend a hundred on them. Unfortunately, due to pressure from my friends, my friends invited me to play PC games and I discovered something that excites me every time I walk into the computer store and sit in the chair with my eyes wild at the PC screen .

To be honest, I have been playing since 2000 until now. But there is a big difference between now and then. Before, I couldn’t control the urge to play PC or video games. There is not a day that I don’t touch a computer and play. Before, I spent 10 hours a day at the computer store and skipped meals just to satisfy my desire to play. In 2001 I was diagnosed with gastritis, the worst result of spending more time on PC games. I even forgot to study my lessons. I was a graduate student back then when I was addicted to computer games. But thank God I was able to graduate from college and get good grades. But the addiction continued. After I graduated from university, I was able to get a good job. However, I spent more time in games than in my work and ended up hating work and favoring my games. In 2005 I had a relationship that would bring me a wife and family. During those times, that relationship was shaken and tested due to my addiction. Following the momentum, I always played PC games to be serious in my relationship. There were times when my girlfriend would look for me in every computer store because I never showed up on our date. When we get married and start a married life, of course a new couple started buying appliances. And do you know what my first favorite appliance was? Outbreak! Personal computer installed with games.

There was a time when I was out of work, but I never felt worried. I loved staying home and doing nothing but games. I used to get up early in the morning to play. The cycle continued for several months. Favor my PC games than anything, even forgetting to go to church or any birthday gathering or even spending time with my wife and friends. I got to the point where my favorite sounds are the battle cries of the favorite character online. There were times when I dreamed of those games I played and always got a bad comment from my wife in the morning when I woke up. I really felt the need and the excitement when I sat down and moved the mouse hearing the shocking sounds along with the video graphic characters. And, the worst thing that has happened to me is imitating the mantra of those characters even when I’m walking. My parents, wife and friends said something negative about my addiction to games. At first, I never accepted his comments, however, I realized that I was addicted to PC games and that is ruining my whole life.

“In half stat virtues”, “always stay in the middle”,

“Amid stat virtus:

Virtue is in the middle.

Virtue is in the moderate position, not extreme. “

That’s what Aristotle said. The virtues fall in the middle when both sides are extreme. Any technological device that offers fun and excitement is designed for entertainment, but too much is extreme. After realizing it, I got caught up in the struggle between the fantasy world and the real world. I even tried selling my personal computer just to avoid being addicted, but it was not a guarantee. Computer shops are open 24/7. Horrible! How am I going to stop this madness?

All I can say: it is a personal decision and you can do all the fights. Your parents, friends, and relatives may offer you options, but it still comes down to your personal decision to say “NO” to your bad habit.

Things I do to overcome my struggle:

1. I never stop abruptly; I limit myself. First, five hours of games, 2 hours for the next few weeks, and a day or two without games.

2. I avoid long-term games, like online games, which would take longer to level up.

3. I started choosing a game that can be finished in a month. Like Call for Duty and its full version and other games that can be finished but not online games.

4. I controlled the urge by firmly saying “NO” to myself and it is not time to play.

5. I kept telling myself that I shouldn’t be silly and stupid and do things that are real and connect with real people.

6. I managed my time. Give time to your parents, family, children (if you have) and friends.

7. When I felt the need to play, I try to stop it and say “NO”, that would be an indication that I can overcome my emotions. I usually go somewhere else without bringing any gadgets.

I love games and I love spending time with them, but not more than five hours or more in a day. There are things that are more important than that. That is just a wish and not a need. I do not offer any guarantees with all the things that I listed above because it is you and yourself the main factor that can decide and change yourself. Just play moderately.

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