Is there a cure to video game addiction?

Question

Counseling, groups, e.t.c? Okay here's the story...

My son loves video games. In fact. He's addicted. It's gone to the point where my husband or I has to push the power button on his computer. The entire family(except for him of course) thinks he's mentally retarded. Why? Here: He almost fell down a cliff(into the 2nd tallest waterfall in the world). He has trouble RE-dialling on a cell phone(which he's had over a year). This morning, when he wants waffles, he actually had to FIND the toaster and then figure out how to operate it! Also: Zoning out when people are talking to him, staring at random objects: packs of gum, cups, shoes, paper, e.t.c), singing very odd songs(like cult-type songs). Once, he even took $20 out of my purse and bought a video game WITHOUT telling me. When I confronted him, he lied and said it was only $10. I can't lock him out of the computer room, because I need the computer for stocks, emails, and other things. I've done everything I can! What should I do?!?!?!?!?!?! He can't find a job, has no girlfriend(did I mention he drools?), and is 18(nearly 19). Today, when we were watching the Olympics, he yelled, drooled, and called everybody a "failure, disgrace, and moron" He has no allowance, so I can't take that away. HELP. By the way, he can barely get dressed, cusses at every person in his life, made my sweet 8-year-old daughter cry(to sobs and sniffling)! When he said sorry, it was SO fake! He says more sincere sorries to his friends when they're playing games! He never helps around the house and blames it on me and my husband for not asking him(he's 18! even my 8 year old girl helps without being told to!). WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!?!?!?! If I take away all his games, he'll just find them, or worse, buy more games! Another critical thing is he's leaving for college in September(late September, thank god), and laughs and calls me and my husband an r****d for even warning him. When I am forced to shut down his computer, He yells at me" WHAT THE F*CK ARE YOU DOING, U B*TCH?!" ...sorry about that, but it's true. Please help before everyone hates him

Answer 1

sounds like you should have raised him to have some self control.  You should have done the parenting not the Nintendo.  Sounds like the failure and disgrace, and moron is projection based on feelings towards his mother.  my son Michael had the same problem and I blame myself because I let the Nintendo raise him.  He is now an unemployed s*x addict living in my basement.  

Answer 2

well hopefully if he is starting college, he will be staying ON CAMPUS that way he is atleast around other people who do things other then staying on the computer all day...

I was addicted to World of Warcraft for like 2 years...realized my life was going no were even tho i had happyness in the game, And getting pissy while on the computer is what i expiernced also..

But i had to go cold turkey and stop my addiction because i, myself, realized "waht the f*** am i doing"... i guess i hope your son soon realizes that also..

Kick his @ss to college!

Answer 3

I don't necessarily have a great answer.  I had to recover from video game addiction.  I eventually woke from my dazed pathetic life that I created and realized that I had to STOP PLAYING!  I finally conceived that the rest of my life was great, so why keep playing games?? I know that doesn't sound great since it is a self realization but if he comes up with the idea himself, perhaps he will change his ways.  Until HE realizes how stupid it is to be playing games all day, he will likely not be able to completely get away.  My best advice is to try to strongly persuade, not force, him to do other things that will occupy his time.  If he can get into doing something else there will not be the amount of time to play games like he used to.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Simple...do you know that you can actually lock the computer itself with a password...no password, no access. not even to windows log in page. Oh, about the games, just sell them. Like on Ebay. and who is he to curse at you??? Anyway, why didn't you control his gaming habits from young?  

Answer 5

If he's not on drugs, you could have a serious problem on your hands.  You might have to resort to sending him somewhere...