Comments on: How I Conquered My Computer Addiction http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/ feel deeply alive, every single day Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:01:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ronald http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-5575 Ronald Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:11:53 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-5575 Great article. Well written. Great article. Well written.

]]> By: Samuel http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-2175 Samuel Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:38:20 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-2175 I am a addict. It started when I was 12 years old. My parents were to busy to pay attention to me so instead I sought comfort in Online RPG’s. I am now 24, divorced at 20 because of my gaming addictions and have a 5 year old daughter that lives 3000 miles away. If you have a partner or friend or someone special in your life suffering these problems you must understand they are not ok and they need help. Deep seeded inside me I was screaming for help, but my addiction wouldnt allow it. Its still a ongoing struggle. I have been fairly successful over the years but have fallen off the right path several times now. I have never seeked professional help and I have experienced intense withdrawls after quiting cold turkey. My symptoms include intense depression, thoughts of suicide, and total alienation of my family and friends. Due to my long term computer addiction I have a hard time connecting with people on a emotional level even during intense emotional pain others are experiencing, I just cannot show any sympathy for others. Computer addiction is real and a major problem in my life. Many times I have chosen the computer over my own family. Its very sad and I am in need of professional help. I pray for the people experiencing what im experiencing. This is the first time i have ever wrote about my problems or shared it with anybody. The world is oblivious to my problems the only people who know are the ones that have had a intimate relationship with. Everything I have touched i have destroyed. I am a addict. It started when I was 12 years old. My parents were to busy to pay attention to me so instead I sought comfort in Online RPG’s. I am now 24, divorced at 20 because of my gaming addictions and have a 5 year old daughter that lives 3000 miles away.

If you have a partner or friend or someone special in your life suffering these problems you must understand they are not ok and they need help. Deep seeded inside me I was screaming for help, but my addiction wouldnt allow it. Its still a ongoing struggle. I have been fairly successful over the years but have fallen off the right path several times now. I have never seeked professional help and I have experienced intense withdrawls after quiting cold turkey. My symptoms include intense depression, thoughts of suicide, and total alienation of my family and friends.

Due to my long term computer addiction I have a hard time connecting with people on a emotional level even during intense emotional pain others are experiencing, I just cannot show any sympathy for others. Computer addiction is real and a major problem in my life. Many times I have chosen the computer over my own family. Its very sad and I am in need of professional help.

I pray for the people experiencing what im experiencing. This is the first time i have ever wrote about my problems or shared it with anybody. The world is oblivious to my problems the only people who know are the ones that have had a intimate relationship with. Everything I have touched i have destroyed.

]]> By: Vlad Dolezal http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1783 Vlad Dolezal Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:07:37 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1783 @Free your space: Thanks for sharing the inspiring story! I personally considered trying going without internet for a month... but it's a direct part of my mission in life, with my blog and everything, so in the end I decided not to. Instead, I keep trying different tricks to limit wasted time. But I have gone without watching the TV for about 6 years now (I occasionally watch TV shows on my computer)... and I don't miss it at all. So I see how you can go without something most people would consider a necessity. @Nikki: Your trick with the library internet is a great example of using activation energy! (There's a link in the sidebar under "productivity", if you're not sure what I'm talking about.) And yeah, it's a never-ending battle. I'm glad you're winning it! @Free your space:

Thanks for sharing the inspiring story!

I personally considered trying going without internet for a month… but it’s a direct part of my mission in life, with my blog and everything, so in the end I decided not to. Instead, I keep trying different tricks to limit wasted time.

But I have gone without watching the TV for about 6 years now (I occasionally watch TV shows on my computer)… and I don’t miss it at all. So I see how you can go without something most people would consider a necessity.

@Nikki:

Your trick with the library internet is a great example of using activation energy! (There’s a link in the sidebar under “productivity”, if you’re not sure what I’m talking about.)

And yeah, it’s a never-ending battle. I’m glad you’re winning it!

]]> By: Nikki http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1782 Nikki Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:33:22 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1782 Well, your suggestion to write myself an acceptance letter to slow down internet usage didn't work, but something else worked for me. I thought I would put it on here too. Whoever wrote last that cancelling your internet was a good idea is absolutely right. I don't have internet at home, and I also don't have the option of stealing internet from someone who doesn't have a password. Instead I go to the library with my laptop, where I am limited to 2 hours per day. If I run out of this much time, I can sneak over to the computers in the library to utilize internet time even more. But the fact of the matter is, it's embarassing to be using so much computer time at the library. I find that I spend even less than the allotted 2 hours per day on my laptop for the simple fact that I don't want to be in the library all day. And it's amazing, I brought my laptop to my boyfriend's house (who lives far away from me due to the recession) and while he was working, I spend all day long on the computer. It is strange because I have been happy for months without unlimited internet access, and just that little bit of internet time back in my life and I'm back to how I was before, in no time at all. I think that's it. Not only will you save money on your likely ridiculously overpriced internet bill, but you can escape from a never-ending battle so easily, and still satisfy that little bit of a release you get when you let yourself become absorbed by internet time. I hope this helps someone else, gives them the courage to cancel their subscription and find a more limited means of productive internet time. I was depressed for a long time because that was all I did...good luck to you all. Well, your suggestion to write myself an acceptance letter to slow down internet usage didn’t work, but something else worked for me. I thought I would put it on here too.
Whoever wrote last that cancelling your internet was a good idea is absolutely right. I don’t have internet at home, and I also don’t have the option of stealing internet from someone who doesn’t have a password. Instead I go to the library with my laptop, where I am limited to 2 hours per day. If I run out of this much time, I can sneak over to the computers in the library to utilize internet time even more.
But the fact of the matter is, it’s embarassing to be using so much computer time at the library. I find that I spend even less than the allotted 2 hours per day on my laptop for the simple fact that I don’t want to be in the library all day.
And it’s amazing, I brought my laptop to my boyfriend’s house (who lives far away from me due to the recession) and while he was working, I spend all day long on the computer. It is strange because I have been happy for months without unlimited internet access, and just that little bit of internet time back in my life and I’m back to how I was before, in no time at all.
I think that’s it. Not only will you save money on your likely ridiculously overpriced internet bill, but you can escape from a never-ending battle so easily, and still satisfy that little bit of a release you get when you let yourself become absorbed by internet time.

I hope this helps someone else, gives them the courage to cancel their subscription and find a more limited means of productive internet time. I was depressed for a long time because that was all I did…good luck to you all.

]]> By: free your space http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1780 free your space Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:13:38 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1780 Very good idea for breaking away from being on the internet! I have to say I have reached ridiculous levels of addiction to the computer. Anonymous,my suggestion is to have your internet service discontinued. You can always get it back,but give it 1 month,then try 2. We did without computers for a loooooong,long time. The world will not stop if you try it. I belonged to a forum for 3 years,nothing more then chat about our pets. I became internet friends with a lot of people,just as you described. At some point I became disturbed by the amount of time I was spending there. My home was a complete mess. If a friend called on the phone,I'd be on the forum while my real life friend was talking to me. I'd miss what they said,paying more attention to people online I didn't even know. The list goes on and on....leaving to work late due to responding on the forum,gaining weight,etc. I made a decision to have my membership deleted. It was very,very depressing the first 2 months,so 'Anonymous',I don't want to kid you on that. HOWEVER! It has been worth it. And at times it feels very sad that I'm not on there anymore. But it gets better. And my mental health,your mental health,MUST come first,so that you can live your life. Very slowly,I'm feeling stronger,and getting to know myself again. Sometimes I need to reinforce my decision to lower my computer use/internet,so that is how I found your site,in doing a quick search. All the best to each of you! Very good idea for breaking away from being on the internet!
I have to say I have reached ridiculous levels of addiction to the computer.
Anonymous,my suggestion is to have your internet service discontinued.
You can always get it back,but give it 1 month,then try 2.
We did without computers for a loooooong,long time. The world will not stop if you try it.
I belonged to a forum for 3 years,nothing more then chat about our pets. I became internet friends with a lot of people,just as you described.
At some point I became disturbed by the amount of time I was spending there.
My home was a complete mess. If a friend called on the phone,I’d be on the forum while my real life friend was talking to me. I’d miss what they said,paying more attention to people online I didn’t even know.
The list goes on and on….leaving to work late due to responding on the forum,gaining weight,etc.
I made a decision to have my membership deleted.
It was very,very depressing the first 2 months,so ‘Anonymous’,I don’t want to kid you on that.
HOWEVER! It has been worth it. And at times it feels very sad that I’m not on there anymore.
But it gets better. And my mental health,your mental health,MUST come first,so that you can live your life.
Very slowly,I’m feeling stronger,and getting to know myself again.
Sometimes I need to reinforce my decision to lower my computer use/internet,so that is how I found your site,in doing a quick search.
All the best to each of you!

]]> By: Todd http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1740 Todd Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:21:14 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1740 Dear ANONYMOUS I am a recovering alcohlic and I feel your pain. I've been were you are. Trying to fill that empty whole inside with my addiction. This is a great practice , giving yourself writen permission to use the computer. But I thing your pass this. Yes see a professional this wood be good. But you may want to try a 12 step program to. I don't know if they have computers annonymous, But try this go to Alcohlics Annonymous and just replace the computer part with alcoholic. This may seem like your not being true but I know many addicts who prefer AA to NA so they just say they are alcoholics, They know in there mind what they are but. Help is help. Believe me I don't claim to be an expert. I just know what works for me. One day at a time. And it has been working for almost seven years. I believe you can do it to. Todd Dear ANONYMOUS I am a recovering alcohlic and I feel your pain. I’ve been were you are. Trying to fill that empty whole inside with my addiction. This is a great practice , giving yourself writen permission to use the computer. But I thing your pass this. Yes see a professional this wood be good. But you may want to try a 12 step program to. I don’t know if they have computers annonymous, But try this go to Alcohlics Annonymous and just replace the computer part with alcoholic. This may seem like your not being true but I know many addicts who prefer AA to NA so they just say they are alcoholics, They know in there mind what they are but. Help is help. Believe me I don’t claim to be an expert. I just know what works for me. One day at a time. And it has been working for almost seven years. I believe you can do it to. Todd

]]> By: Vlad Dolezal http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1658 Vlad Dolezal Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:23:31 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1658 @Anon: Okay, that sounds like a heavy-duty addiction. I'm just a hobbyist, not a mental health expert. My advice is to go see a professional. Some kind of psychiatrist. No, I'm not saying you're crazy. But these guys now a LOT about the human mind (a lot more than me), and can figure out what's the best solution for you. There might be a physical component to your addiction, in which case medication would help you. Or, they might point you to the right treatment, whatever that is. Btw, at least you realize you have an unhealthy obsession. That's a good first step ;) @Anon:

Okay, that sounds like a heavy-duty addiction.

I’m just a hobbyist, not a mental health expert. My advice is to go see a professional. Some kind of psychiatrist.

No, I’m not saying you’re crazy. But these guys now a LOT about the human mind (a lot more than me), and can figure out what’s the best solution for you. There might be a physical component to your addiction, in which case medication would help you. Or, they might point you to the right treatment, whatever that is.

Btw, at least you realize you have an unhealthy obsession. That’s a good first step ;)

]]> By: Anonymous http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1656 Anonymous Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:46:54 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1656 Please help me. I ignore my wife. I am 50 pounds overweight. I do not go to work until 1PM because I am on the computer talking to people I do not even know from the time I finally go to work. I come home around 5 or 6 and stay on the computer until at least 2AM in the morning- usually longer. I procrastinate & will not even clean my filthy garage the neighbors complain about - I mean bugs, nasty rodents & all kinds of garbage. There are holes in my house I cannot seem to fix so all kinds of nasty things come in. My kitchen plumbing is shot, but I know how to fix it but instead I put pans under the kitchen sink for the sewage to drain in & then never empty them. I yelled at my wife last night for no reason other than I was fighting with someone on the internet & did not care that she was very ill. I ignore her & everything else but these chat groups. Not women or gambling but people I do not even know. I stay on for hours & hours. Can someone help me with my obsession? Please help me. I ignore my wife. I am 50 pounds overweight. I do not go to work until 1PM because I am on the computer talking to people I do not even know from the time I finally go to work. I come home around 5 or 6 and stay on the computer until at least 2AM in the morning- usually longer. I procrastinate & will not even clean my filthy garage the neighbors complain about – I mean bugs, nasty rodents & all kinds of garbage. There are holes in my house I cannot seem to fix so all kinds of nasty things come in. My kitchen plumbing is shot, but I know how to fix it but instead I put pans under the kitchen sink for the sewage to drain in & then never empty them. I yelled at my wife last night for no reason other than I was fighting with someone on the internet & did not care that she was very ill. I ignore her & everything else but these chat groups. Not women or gambling but people I do not even know. I stay on for hours & hours. Can someone help me with my obsession?

]]> By: Vlad Dolezal http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1640 Vlad Dolezal Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:52:57 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1640 @Nikki: Good luck. I hope it works for you! @Nikki:

Good luck. I hope it works for you!

]]> By: Nikki http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-i-conquered-my-computer-addiction/comment-page-1/#comment-1639 Nikki Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:04:41 +0000 http://vladdolezal.com/blog/?p=216#comment-1639 Hey, thanks for posting this about computer addiction... I am most definitely a severe computer addict! (ask me in person and I would never admit it...) I'm going to try this "technique" and see how it goes. Thanks a lot! :) Hey, thanks for posting this about computer addiction…
I am most definitely a severe computer addict! (ask me in person and I would never admit it…)
I’m going to try this “technique” and see how it goes. Thanks a lot! :)

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