When we first sought help in GAA, we had some awareness of problems connected to our gaming that motivated us to try to change. But mostly we thought our problems were due to circumstances, personal faults, other people, or bad luck. We readily blamed anything but the video gaming.

As we listened to the stories of other members, we found ourselves relating as they described a whole host of problems connected to their gaming behavior to which we could relate but somehow had not recognized as having anything to do with gaming. We heard that problems like skipping out on work or school, spending too much money, arguments in our relationships, sleep deprivation, flakiness, and health issues are created or worsened by intense compulsive gaming. Our eyes opened and we better understood the seriousness of the situation.

Denial is a central fact of addiction. We need to connect the dots between the difficulties in our lives and our gaming behavior. Perhaps shame and fear are keeping us from acknowledging it. Hearing the honesty of other GAA members accepting full responsibility for themselves gives us courage to face these problems and do the same. By accepting the reality of our situation, getting honest, and overcoming denial, we can begin the process of recovery.