Are you addicted?

[Forgon]

I'm sure this question has come up before. But after trying to search for it I couldn't find it in 5 minutes, so I think it's safe to ask it again.

Do you think you are addicted to WoW?

I'll go first:

No. When I was young and my parents would torment me by unplugging the cable modem to stop me from playing, all they would think is that I was addicted.

No, I was in a mutual commitment to real people. I was "raiding," but just because it was through a computer and not face to face is what they really didn't understand. If I had made plans to meet with friends, they wouldn't have just up and removed me from their home because they felt like I was addicted to my friends.

I truly enjoy WoW, but I've done enough to make sure I'm not hurting myself. I've always done well in school.

I've never thought I've been addicted, and I still don't. I just enjoy being entertained, and WoW entertains me. If WoW stops entertaining me, then I'll stop, which I have before for several months when it's gets old (kinda like now).

What about you?

[Aitch]

Well, by definition, an addiction must have adverse consequences. In my case anyway, there has been no adverse consequence. I would lead a sedentary lifestyle detrimental to my health and social life regardless of whether or not I played WoW.

[Stonecloak]

Considering I'm not subbed and can't play more than five minutes without logging off Id say no.

[Deleted]

No. I reactivated my sub only 2 weeks ago because our guild is going 25man preping for WoD. I only log in for raids and to cap remaining valor through hc scenarios.

[Zoaric]

Nope, I've not played in a week and a half, only adverse effect has been boredom.

[The Glitch]

I would have classed myself as addicted to WoW back in my early 20's just before TBC came out. and all through TBC, I affected me in that I would say no to social gatherings with friends because of raid nights, I spent all my spare time out of work, gathering mats for raids, hanging with my guildies ingame and doing dungeon runs with friends. not to mention all old tiered raid farming on alts.

My husband never minded, well he never voiced any concerns, but as I grew older (I am 32 now) WoW became less of a *need* and back to a hobby, I much prefer spending my time with my husband and friends and family. raiding has went the way of the dodo for me, and it's funny but I don't really miss it all that much, I miss my old raid team, but the newer raiders in the guild that make up the majority, I haven't bonded with them as I did back with guildies in TBC. So I don't feel like I'm missing out on that.

I am much happier now that I am able to take or leave WoW, in my personal life and in my time playing the game. I don't really recall any big thing that happened to make that difference, it just kinda gradually happened as I got older, I prioritise way differently now

[Stonecloak]

Also an addict would most likely not even realize or admit he is addicted.

[Ghouldan]

I'd say that I was in my earlier teens. Upon turning nineteen though, I've found that I don't really have the same drive to play. Not compared to, say, when I was 14-16. It's still a fun game, I'll give it that. I'll probably be resubbing when WoD comes along -- might give raiding a try.

I wouldn't say I'm addicted though. Not now.

[rebecca191]

I think I used to be but not anymore... a combination of not really liking the direction of the game and also having different priorities now that I am older. I haven't played since January or February and while I miss what the game used to be, I don't feel a need/drive to play it as it is....

[Mormolyce]

No, I can quit any time I want!

...but not before I finish all the achievements. And collect all the pets. And get 9/9 gold on all my toons. And...

Also an addict would most likely not even realize or admit he is addicted.

Yep.

[Pizzaparty78]

Probably not, it has not affected me negatively in a way, I think. Although, my family thinks I am, I do very well in school while also enjoying other activities and family time. I was probably addicted last Summer, but since school I've played a bit less.

[Tucci]

If I really want to play, yeah, maybe. Just like anything else you really want to do, you go do it. But I do get burnt and will quit for months. Last year I quit for 6 months. Then I had the urge to play again, so I did. It's addicting in the way any game is. It gives you satisfaction, pleasure, entertainment...but it's something you can stop if you need to or want to. Of course if you really want to play and have something you need to do at that moment, it can be frustrating to do the other thing. So it can have an adverse effect on you. Try not to let it change your moods too much and you should be ok. Just remember that it'll be there later and you'll always have more opportunities for stuff later.

What sucks is the obligation of raiding. At least nowadays for me. I used to be down to put everything I had into it but lately, I get burnt on the grind and the way it can feel like work you don't want to do. I think I'll enjoy it more once I'm in the same boat as everyone gear and progression wise. Playing catch up is definitely no fun.

[dope_danny]

No, not played in about 6 months or more. But you cant really expect an actual addict to admit it since a videogame addict is more like an abused spouse who constantly believes "things will get better in the next patch" to keep themselves in.

That said in my old guild there were a few actual addicts. Mid 30's/40's, unemployed on welfare suffering from depression that got out of bed to log into wow and at 6am logged off to go to sleep. its no way to live and the worst part is some of them fully accept they have a problem but dont have the willpower to do anything about it.

[Ghazan Julio]

addiction is defined as anything you do ritualistically, that being said whether or not video games are addicting is kind of a ridiculous proposal. Everyone has their hobbies and sure they can be addicted to them but in other words everyone has addictions whether it be mental, physical, or specifically chemical haha.

[Razecog]

Yes. Very much addicted. The curse of Asperger.

[OzoAndIndi]

Nah. Hooked on it and like it a lot, yeah. Addicted, not really. I'm prob more hooked on my characters than the game itself. I often play a bit in the evening/night hours, but not always. Wanted to go on there for a while this evening, but was hot today, this room was kinda hot (even now and it's still spring and almost 3am ) and computer fan kicked on over a FB game, sooo... not worth risking the health of my computer for any "need" to play WoW. Gotta have priorities straight.

[Theendgamelv3]

Nope, I took a month off 2 months ago.

[ciggy]

I think i probably am, I took a break for a few months and just started back up.. I am back to 3-4 hours a day and the reason I don't play more is the lull before the next expansion.

Just playing now to level the remaining characters and kill some lfr bosses I haven't killed.

[Darth Belichick]

I'd say it's not as much an addiction as it's something I play more than I should. Back in Vanilla/TBC, I'd probably say yes. But now a days, a lot of the time I may be logged in but not actually playing. I really only raid most of the time. If I wasn't raiding, I could turn if off.

[Queen of Hamsters]

I sincerely believe that addiction to a game is just an excuse for simply allowing a game to mean more than real life. I have aspergers, wow is a "special interest" of mine and my family ha a history of addicts to REAL substances and gambling. Yet I have never even come close to what it means to be addicted to something with wow.

People being addicted to alcohol or drugs don't just quit from one day to another because they get bored or don't like where their addictive substances are going, yet wow "addicts" quit over changes to the game or simply because real life starts to feel more interesting.

The most I can say is that I was very hooked on wow from my first hour and still am, but I have never had a problem leaving the screen or felt abstinence symptoms when being without it. It is a wonderful game where you can become committed to real people and schedules, but an addictive substance or on par with gambling? No...