Hello, My Name is Ethan and I’m a Video Game Addict

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I must confess that I am a video game addict. Like an alcoholic who might start with one drink and be unable to stop, I suffer from such an addiction when it comes to video games. I might be able to start with a simple half an hour with every intention of only playing for half an hour. But before I know it I’ve played for hours. Or worse yet, I sneak off to the bedroom or bathroom to play.

And when I’m with my kids I’m thinking about the time when I can next play my games. I’m short with them and my wife; I ignore my responsibilities; and worse yet, my behavior impacts my kids who see my obsession as permission to behave the same way.

Thankfully, I have the wherewithal to recognize my addiction and act against it. I love my family more than getting my next fix, but it is a slippery slope. That is why I have had to uninstall all the games on my phone and not even pick up my switch or grab a Wii remote. I simply cannot stop myself once I begin.

Those who don’t suffer from the same addiction can’t understand how powerless one can become from it. But it is real.

So, yes, my name is Ethan, and I am a video game addict. It has been two months since I last played a game.

Important Links

https://www.npr.org/2019/05/28/727585904/is-gaming-disorder-an-illness-the-who-says-yes-adding-it-to-its-list-of-diseases
https://gamequitters.com/video-game-addiction/
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/video-game-addiction#1
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/video-game-addiction/