CAA: Computer Addicts Anonymous?

[Golden_Griff]

Okay, I'm starting to believe that CAA stands for something else: Computer Addicts Anonymous.

As much as I don't want to admit it, I think I have a computer addiction. It's a routine thing for me to stay up VERY late at night. All summer long I've been staying up as late as 3 am. There isn't a night I remember that I went to sleep before 12 am. Instead of sleeping (and getting the proper rest that I need without sleeping through half the day) I'm up doing something on the computer: whether it's talking with you guys or playing games. ANYTHING to keep me from sleeping.

I could tell you all that I won't get on the computer at all tomorrow, but usually I'll end up pressing the "on" button anyway to "just check for new messages." And next thing you know, I'm sitting down in front of the computer posting endlessly on the boards or getting frustrated trying to get my computer to reload pages.

I've always said that I like to stay up at night regardless but I'm starting to believe it's only to have more time on the computer. When I think about it, it's the only thing I do at night. And night is the best time for it because my parents are usually asleep and I don't have to worry about them "interrupting me" or "bugging me" to do something.

It's really starting to be a concern for me. I like being on the computer but at the same time I don't want it to take control of me. I'm not sure what I want you all to do. But I know that I'll be praying to God to help me find other ways to spend my days and nights.

*moves thread to Prayer Room*

[ally-san]

yea Comp.AddictsAnonymous, thats a good one! it is a lil addicting i have to admit. i know its not good to have something controlling u. if its affecting ur spiritual life i highly recommend u stay off for awhile. if i feel i'm too much into something and its affecting my walk i stay away from it for awhile. i'll pray for u tho. dont worry!

[Yojimbo]

Yeah I have to admit I frequent these boards too much sometimes. Lol how else could I get this many posts in 3 weeks?

[ally-san]

yes Golden_Griff. take Yojimbo for example...

[Saint Kevin]

Hmm. I think I'm in much the same situation. I know I need rest, but I forego it on purpose. Perhaps a little fast from the computer (like a week or so) would be good to help you come back with the proper perspective, and to free up time to grow closer to the Lord. I think I just might do that. Yes. I will. Starting now.

Hey GG. I'm praying for you. Take care.

[ssj2gohan61]

AH! im in the same situation too i know i am its been routine for me for a while now sometimes i dont sleep if i dont get online its not only CAA its aim.. emails..games everything about the computer thank you so much Golden_Griff i never wanted to think about it but now that you say it it is true.. ill pray for you and all the other CAA people like us out there

[Golden_Griff]

Hey guys I'm back. I got on the computer the next day anyway but I mostly spent time watching my Sims I wanted to log on to CAA SO BADLY but I decided to resist. I've occupied myself with doing some drawings so that helped too.

I still stayed up relatively late in the meanwhile but it wasn't entirely because of the computer (I got in a strong mood to draw the night before). Okay, I confess, I did stay up last nite for about an extra 45 min. trying to upload a drawing

But it's not worrying me so much as it did when I first brought up the subject. I don't think the computer is affecting my spiritual life--

--well, maybe it is, seeing that I could use so much of the time that I spend on the computer reading God's word. And maybe I could get to bed earlier for church the next morning if I decided to cut out computer time the night before...

ssj2gohan61, I don't think anyone likes to admit that they have an addiction (well, maybe except for anime ) It is really tough for me to look at my situation as an addiction because I always believed that I just loved working on the computer the same way a person loves to read. But I think I'll take Saint Kevin's suggestion on computer fasting starting tonight and get things in order.

Thank you everyone for your prayers. Until next time,
~G_G

"You will not have control over me!!" (I love that smilie! )

[termyt]

Since joining this community, I've spent a lot of time here, too. TIme that may have been better spent elsewhere, so I think I know how you feel. It's great to belong to a good community of people who care about each other.

Let me recommend this. When you get on line, set a time limit and then ask someone else - either here or at home - to tell you when time's up. And when time's up, get out. (I mean that in a loving way)

[Rogie]

I'll pray.

[Spiritsword]

I will pray.

[Golden_Griff]

Since joining this community, I've spent a lot of time here, too. TIme that may have been better spent elsewhere, so I think I know how you feel. It's great to belong to a good community of people who care about each other.

Let me recommend this. When you get on line, set a time limit and then ask someone else - either here or at home - to tell you when time's up. And when time's up, get out. (I mean that in a loving way)

Yes, CAA is the best! That's a good idea. Thanx

Yes, I said I was going to fast tonight but I haven't started officially yet (I'm trying to get in my last few hours! ) I hope I can stick with my plan, I'm the worst at commitment!

[Jaltus-bot]

I know that feeling, I need to be more disciplined about the internet. Can you say wireless internet addict? I do that whenever I post anywhere as well. anyways, will pray, asks same, good night.

[Saint Kevin]

Well. Just wanted to say that my computer fast didn't go so well, because the very next day after I made that post, I spent SO many hours on the computer trying to configure my brother's wireless internet card and router. Still haven't succeeded .
Also I spemt a good two hours online registering for classes that same day. So, I've decided to limit myself to approximately an hour a day of computer time (that isn't school related) once school starts again in 3 weeks.

Also, I've decided to cut back on my computer time for the time being, and I still intend to fast from it for a couple of days.

In addition, I've been saying for so long that I need to get into God's word everyday. I'm not there yet, but I'm closer than I was. I hope to build some kind of lasting routine in that regard, wherher in the morning, at night, or at lunch, to just get in the word everyday and give God an opportunity to work on my heart and speak to me through His word.

This isn't as easy as it sounds, so, pray for me could you. I hate piggybacking on the prayer threads of others, and will try not to do that in the future, but seeing as there are quite a few here in a similar situation, I thought I would share that, and then ask for prayer. Thanks in advance all of you who will take the time to pray for me. I will continue to keep in my prayers those who are struggling along with me in this area. God bless you my brethren,
SK.

[Golden_Griff]

Saint Kevin, dude, I was SO getting ready to leave CAA until I read your post.

Yes, I've been naughty and got on the computer to look up something concerning school under a 30 min. time limit but ended up here anyway.

Kevin, I really understand where you're coming from. A lot of people seem to have similiar situations but I feel you and I are especially in the same boat.

I didn't think of it, but I spend an unhealthy amount of time on computers when I'm away in college (I say unhealthy bcuz there's so many other things I could get involved in at school). I will have to get that under control too.

I too have said for months/years that I would get more into the word of God. But as Mom says, "Gonna never did anything."

However, I'm glad to say that I finally started bible studying a few weeks ago as a routine thing. I tried many ways to get started but I finally found that reading the suggested passages that my sunday school book gives me works the best. I also found that the best time for me to study is right before I sleep while I'm sitting in bed. Sure, I still missed a whole entire week of studying once but I'm really working to stick with it.

As with the fasting...well...*ahem* obviously, I'm having trouble too BUT I still plan to go on with it this very day--when I leave CAA that will be the last time I'll be here at least until Wednesday. But I'm also thinking of changing my plan from no computer access to just no internet access. Perhaps next week I can then go without touching the keyboard at all; you gotta take things in small steps sometimes.

I don't mind at all if other people ask for prayer on this thread. I'm very glad that my own cry helped others to face their situation. And I'll pray for you all as well.

[Syreth]

I'll be praying for all yalls. Yeah, I've totally had problems like that before, but I didn't have the integrity to reflect upon my life at that point in my walk. I just kept on the internet, and what made it worse is that no one would be able to even call me because I had dial up! haha. I was very bad. Something that might help some people is finding a good website that has the whole Bible. One of the best ones I've found is http://www.biblegateway.com . It has pretty much every version of the Bible you could want, from the New Interstellar Version to the Not quite King James Version. So, hey, before you do anything else, just open up the website and read a chapter or so and then continue with everyday activity. A fast is good too. I had to take a fast from anime before. I should go on a computer fast too! I'll be praying that we can all discipline ourselves.

[RayneXE]

I feel the same way about my parents being asleep

[Swordguy]

i will pray this is an area that i need help in too.
hay its always nice to have someone to turn to for help and acoutablity.

A fast sounds like a good idea but i wont be able to do that for about two more weeks an the grounds that i work with computers.

[Golden_Griff]

Hey all, I'm back! Well, actually I was back yesterday...and the day before...okay so it still didn't go as planned. Shame, shame

BUT I guess something is going right because I didn't spend as much time on the web like I use to. YAY! I've been busy with other things too including letter-writing to my friends so I think the situation is being handled, slowly but surely.

Wow, there are so many other people here that's like me and understands. You can really get through stuff easier when you know there are others that you can look to for support.

The online Bible is a good idea Syreth, thanx

anonymous I have the same concerns about the school thing, especially since computers on campus run a LOT faster than my computer That means more posting! (Ack! don't think about it! )

Well, I guess I'll try again over the weekend (need more preparation before I try to jump back into fasting again) Anyway, more people needing prayer, more prayers going up tonight.

I can do it! Ha ha, where's RoyalWing with that cute sig?

[einthedog]

hey everyone, its strange that this thread was created because for the past few days i've really felt the same as you golden_griff, i think i'll just stay on for alittle bit and before i know it i'm on for hours. even now i shouldnt be on. its not hurting me spiritually, but i know its not what God wants me spending all my time doing. so i'll pray for all of us.
Jesus love ya,
einthedog