help--severe computer addition and especially to this site..need advice?

Question

I recently got a computer and I can't get off it. before I went to library and had trouble getting off it, but did cause eventually they closed and they made me leave. It is not unually to be on here 10, 15, even 20 plus hours --often straight through. This is destroying my life.

Like right now, I have to do major work to prepare for a bg remodeling project and made a schedule of doing certain things each day in order to get it all done in time.

I only did about one and 1/2 days work of the last five days I had scheduled and spent the rest of time on the computer.

Each day I think I will work hard and catch up. I get on here for a few minutes and next thing I know the day is gone.

What will help me balance the time better..I do't want to stop using just use reasonably. HELP..I do have a naturally addictive personality. Please offer some real stategies. Thank you.

Spec, that is an interesting insight--about a need being met..I have noone in my life and am lonely..no one to talk to..all this knowledge from voracious reading, and extreme desire to help others. By answering questions, I can help people with the extensive knowledge I have in certain areas, with insight and empathy I have been blessed with, communicate kind of, show kindness, express my deeply opinionated thoughts, and put off doing things I don't really want to (but need to) do, etc. I also have a tendency to be more head than body if that makes sense..always have been. So it seems I need to find substitue ways of meeting these needs, lsit the bad, and try to keep it withion limits I set that don't ruin my life. Time just passes so quickly on here.

Answer 1

At least you are wise enough to realize you are addicted. About 10 and a half years ago I realized the same thing and went "cold turkey", swore it off etc. It has only been a few months that I have been back. It was not hard to stop when I kept focussed on why I was stopping--how my internet addiction was adversely affecting my job, family, health etc. After awhile (like stopping smoking) I didn't feel the NEED to be on Internet. Withdrawals from any substance abuse including Internet addiction is not easy--but it sounds like you are "about to go down with the ship." You won't be able to afford Internet, or a place to stay etc if you lose your work. Better put on the breaks now. Breaking addictions is primarily a state of mind--if you dwell on how weak you are it surely won't help. If you are spiriitually inclined, ask God for help. There is much you can do--but you must realize the consequences of continuing in your addiction and realize the pain of not surfing will be less than the pain of being broke and without a job, no friends and maybe without a place to stay. I agree with one of the other answerers who said be careful it's like the blind leading the blind--in many cases. People who are addicted likewise, will help you find many excuses for not getting out of the addiction. But you have made some major good steps toward "coming clean". You realize the negative consequences of your addiction and you have asked other for help. As with other types of addiction, counselling may help. Being accountable to someone, whether it is one person like a therapist, or a group of persons who also are successfully fighting their addictions can help. Although the eventual goal maybe to limit yourself to two hours of surfing a day, I personally think it would be better for you to make a clean break with it all together and rebuild your life and show yourself that you can function normally without your computer. Either that or "put up and shut up" if you catch my drift. If I slip back into being on the computer 4-6 hours a day I pray that I will have the self awareness and self respect to quit all together again and go without Internet priveleges and seek professional help if I am not making progress on my own. There are some basic needs that you feel are being met here on Yahoo Answers, I hope you can resolve this issue well. I believe you can do it..
-Spec

Answer 2

Take out the power cord (from the power supply to the outlet) and give it to a nice neighbor or relative for them to hold. Maybe they can give it back for only 2 hours a day, then call you on the phone to get it back after time has elapsed. That can limit your usage without having to be without your computer altogether. No kidding, it will be hard to break yourself of it, even though you haven't had it for a long time. If you have that addictive personality, you just have to learn what your limits are. It's truly ok to ask for help from others.

Answer 3

Use the Internet as a way of treating yourself. Say if I do X amount of time working then I get X amount of time on the computer.

If all else fails use the button that says "Power" and shut if off!!

Answer 4

It sounds like you are really struggling. But hope is in sight!!! You asked for help Internet addiction appears to be real characterized by compulsive use and possible episodes of euphoria during use. I suspect a clinical diagnosis may be found in the upcoming DSM-V. as of now it is very difficult to diagnose. Please visit netaddiction.com . If they cannot help they should be able to refer you to someone who can good luck.

Answer 5

Install windows 95 on it then you will use it for about 5-60 mins at a time then it will error and freez.

Sorry to hear about this I suggest you use your computer to look for a support site , services or phone number.

Answer 6

"HELP..I do have a naturally addictive personality."

Translation - you have given yourself permission to not exercise self-control. You don't need "help", you need to realize YOU are allowing this behavior and YOU can stop it. Why would you allow yourself to be weak?

You're giving excuses for your actions, not reasons. STOP IT!
Bam, just like that.

Answer 7

Set your computer not to accept cookies. You can't log onto Yahoo at all without cookies!

Answer 8

Get an alarm clock and set it for one hour from now. Give yourself one hour to play, and then that's it.

Answer 9

Pick up your keyboard and whack ur pc with it. Don't forget to do the monitor too.

Answer 10

You're asking for the blind to lead the blind.

What do you think we're all doing here?


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