A lot of smart people seem to post here, so I'm hoping for some interesting feedback. (Both positive/negative is fine) I just want to be clear about this; I'm not blaming computers, they are a wonderful tool if used correctly. I'm sure years of research will eventually show the dangers of excessive computer use, but from my experience, I'm going to warn you all about it.. use the computer responsibly, and don't let it be your drug to escape reality. My story: I'm 26 years old. When I turned 14, I dropped out of school, and spent on average, probably somewhere around 6-16 hours a day on the computer. Up until today. I've suffered enormous consequences for my actions, but now I'm changing my life, to be a productive person. I managed to accomplish living on the computer by (A. leeching off family, (B. government handouts. Most of my daily activities involved: Playing video games, programming, reading news, forums. It was in recent year or two that I started developing real health problems: Kidney stones, obesity, complete lack of energy, losing circulation in different parts of body, chest pain, headaches. But worst of all -- I feel my brain has been 'rewired' by repetitive tasks on the computer. For example, I started driving for first time in years, but my perception seemed limited. For example, I felt like I was staring into a monitor, not a windshield. When i'm driving, I feel like I could easily miss a sign, not pay attention to road conditions, or fail to stop for pedestrians. If anyone would like to comment on this, go right ahead. You can even criticism me and say how pathetic I am.. I agree. But I'm not same person anymore that spent twelve years on the computer, at the expense of family and taxpayers. I have a desire to be useful. Also, I'm planning to see doctor about this. I've taken medicine for Social Anxiety and Agoraphobia(fear of public places), neither helped -- but I never mentioned to Doctors about my computer obsession. I wanted to hide it, much like drug addict or alcoholic does. I came up with 5 goals so far to change my life: 1. Spend time outside everyday. If it's just simple walk or reading at the library. Every bit helps. 2. Diet and exercise(and drink more water!). My Sedentary lifestyle and large appetite is directly responsible for my obesity and several health problems. 3. Limit my daily computer usage.. Going to try maximum of 5 hours a day. 4. Look for a job, or go back to school. 5. Find a hobby. Any other goals you think might be useful?

Don't hide anything from your doctors. They aren't there to judge you. I guarantee they see 100 people even worse than you every week. You won't get effective treatment unless you disclose everything.

If you have health problems you should see a doctor before exercising, dieting or other activities.

For dieting:

Make sure you research this topic well. You will need to keep a log of everything you eat, calorie intakes, etc. Don't try and undercut your calorie needs by too much or you will actually lose less weight. You may want to get used to recording what you eat etc, before you actually go on a diet just to have a better plan. Don't take too large of steps.

I am very sorry to hear that you have suffered in this way. One suggestion I could make regarding your plan is that you limit your computer usage even further. Use it only for what you need to, and then get off immediately.

Based on my own experience--and the experiences of those whom I know--the most effective way to quit an addiction is not by way of gradually reducing your use of it, but rather just by giving it up altogether. I am sure others have had a different experience, but that is the best advice I could give. You may even want to give up computer usage for two weeks, and the go back to using it, but only for essential tasks.

Another thing you might want to consider is the root cause of your addiction. Were you addicted to computers and video games because you enjoyed them, or was it because you were struggling against some other issue(s) that these things helped you avoid? Finding the answer to this question may be useful in helping you get your life back on track.

No matter how you choose to try and overcome your addiction, I wish you the best of luck! With proper effort, I'm sure you'll meet with success! ^_^

First, I'm sorry about your situation, but it's very nice to see how your attitude has changed. You're definitely on the right track!

Have you considered going into the military (not for combat but for technical schooling and training)? My knowledge of the military is unfortunately lacking, but I imagine this would 1) get you a job; 2) provide excellent dieting and exercise; 3) break your computer addiction once and for all.

I should say, though, that if you choose to go this route you should (or might even have to) see a doctor first and get your health problems sorted out.

Military is a bad idea. Especially during a war. If you join you will get sent into the meat-grinder. You can straighten your life out without joining the military. If you really need to just get a friend to wear a snazzy hat and accuse you of sucking a golf ball through a garden hose regularly.

I've invested money several times. One of my best investments got me 80% profit. The BEST investment I made was 100 € on a personal trainer. Before that I tried jogging and various other sports, but I eventually quit those. I was so out of shape that sports wasn't very fun. That's actually a problem for many of us.

After good advices and personal training program from the personal trainer, I can hit the gym 4 times a week, all the pains in my body are gone, sleeping is easier, I don't look like a total nerd and I can actually eat more than before. No dieting required :) My weight hasn't dropped at all but because my stomach is shrinking and muscles are growing, I'm not that worried :) Btw I still use computer for 10 to 12 hours a day. If you are a programmer, you pretty much have to :)

My advice would be to try a Psychologist first, chemicals last.

Also, consider using your computer to keep track of your diet, responsible, healthy dieting can be a very rewarding experience. Not only from weight loss and gained health, but also to track your progress, especially so over longer periods of time.

I wouldn't recommend stopping computer usage entirely for a while, because it turns out the addiction usually returns with a vengeance. Usually you'll be worse off after you stopped then before. Try switching to 5 hours at once, or build it down. A total stop is fine as long as you don't build up a craving (which you might use as a mental excuse for increased usage afterwards).

A Psychologist would defenatly be my first choice of action, he/she can give further advice, follow the progress of your efforts and encourage you if needed.

Best of luck, I wish you well.

I think that joining the military is a little extreme to try to break a bad habit (unless it's something that you have thought about doing previously).

It sounds like you are on the right track though. One other thing you might try on top of limiting your total time on the pc is to limit your usage to smaller time frames. For example, if you've been on the computer for an hour, take a short break and do something else for 10 or 15 minutes.

Also to help with exercise, I would find a sport/hobby that you enjoy, and that also involves exercise. I hate going out and just running a mile or two (probably from doing it so much in sports in high school), but I can play a basketball game for an hour and run that much or more, but don't really notice because I'm keeping my mind off the conditioning aspect by playing the game.

If you are struggling with social situations and are more comfortable exercising by yourself, you might try more solo sports: swimming, biking, roller blading, running, weight lifting. But I would also recommend finding a friend to exercise with. It's much easier to have someone with you to help push you when your tired or don't want to exercise (it happens to us all).

Also for dieting, I would try to get rid of everything (or most of) the bad things you shouldn't eat that are in your house. Chips, fried foods, sweets, high fat foods, candy bars, etc. This is the easiest way to stop eating food you shouldn't is to just get rid of it. Replace all that stuff with fruits, veggies, lean meats, good carbs (whole grains/fiber). Also if you are drinking a lot of pop try to cut back on that. Replace it with water.

Good luck to you. Glad to hear you're taking a step to improve yourself!

go on a working holiday anywhere from 3-12 months should be enuf
Either here in nz or oz would perhaps be your best bet, theres always work for backpackers picking fruit, skiresort (well seasons finishing now).

* change of scenery,environment
* meet new ppl
* have fun doing shit youve never done before

If u want further details I can supply as Im an expert :)

Quote: Original post by Agee
My story: I'm 26 years old. When I turned 14, I dropped out of school, and spent on average, probably somewhere around 6-16 hours a day on the computer. Up until today. I've suffered enormous consequences for my actions, but now I'm changing my life, to be a productive person.

What do you think it means to be productive, to be a productive person? You're saying that you've not been productive for 12 years and you're suffering because of that and so you want to change your life to be a productive person. You must have some idea of what that means - what it means to be a productive person.

Quote: Original post by Agee
I managed to accomplish living on the computer by (A. leeching off family, (B. government handouts. Most of my daily activities involved: Playing video games, programming, reading news, forums. It was in recent year or two that I started developing real health problems:
Kidney stones, obesity, complete lack of energy, losing circulation in different parts of body, chest pain, headaches.

Do you think those problems came about because you have a computer addiction? Do you place the years you aged from 14 to 18 in the leeching off family category? Did you drop out of high school? Did you attend community college? What government handouts did you take? You say that you developed a "complete lack of energy", have you considered that you might have caught a virus?

Quote: Original post by Agee
But worst of all -- I feel my brain has been 'rewired' by repetitive tasks on the computer. For example, I started driving for first time in years, but my perception seemed limited. For example, I felt like I was staring into a monitor, not a windshield. When i'm driving, I feel like I could easily miss a sign, not pay attention to road conditions, or fail to stop for pedestrians.

If anyone would like to comment on this, go right ahead. You can even criticism me and say how pathetic I am.. I agree. But I'm not same person anymore that spent twelve years on the computer, at the expense of family and taxpayers. I have a desire to be useful.

Nobody is the same person at 26 that they were at 14, and if such people exist, they've got more serious problems then you do. I don't see how your brain would be rewired when it's still underdevelopment. Have repetitive tasks on the computer wired your brain in ways that seem to limit your perception? Staring into a monitor not a windshield - anxiety over missing signs, ignoring road conditions, failing to stop for pedestrians! Driving with attention deficits!! Better turn down that radio. Eye hand coordination run amok? Speaking of repetitive tasks, how does assembly line work affect driving skills? Do assembly line workers experience similar difficulties? Are their brains wired or rewired by the repetitive tasks they perform?

Quote: Original post by Agee
I came up with 5 goals so far to change my life:
1. Spend time outside everyday. If it's just simple walk or reading at the library. Every bit helps.
2. Diet and exercise(and drink more water!). My Sedentary lifestyle and large appetite is directly responsible for my obesity and several health problems.
3. Limit my daily computer usage.. Going to try maximum of 5 hours a day.
4. Look for a job, or go back to school.
5. Find a hobby.

Any other goals you think might be useful?

Isolate your computer from your other living spaces. Move it to an office. Only use it for work, for performing specific tasks, as if it wasn't interactive and there weren't people at the other end of the pipe...