Alot of people will click this thinking that it may be a joke or a quirk to a certain reason why a video game saved someone from death. But please let me explain.
Two years ago, I was in a really bad place in life. I lost my mom to cancer, my best friend to suicide, and the ensuing madness led to more devastating events. I became jobless, and the darkening of depression ensued. To ease the pain and numb the senses I turned to drugs. Meth, to be exact. I turned into a walking zombie in no less than 8 months and became a true she'll of a person. I needed help.
So long story short, I became clean and used alot of tools to fill those empty voids that had been left behind. I bought a Xbox one and destiny, to occupy my time instead of shoving a needle in my arm. The first weeks were rough. Alot of doubt and temptation. But the longer I played, the longer my mind was immersed into a world that I was having fun in. I found friends from all over the world. We accomplished goals and learned new things.
Now some may say I traded addictions, but in reality, when life gets rough and I think of turning to drugs to deal with emotions, in turn in destiny and immerse myself into a world of goals, and teamwork. Its honestly saved my life, and I can never repay that back. Thank you bungie for a great game, and Xbox for a great community that never judges a person by the cover.
Edit: I have had an ovewhelming response to this post and my ultimate goal is to hopefully encourage someone out there who is going through the same to keep,going. There is hope...and guys please feel free to add me .
Edit 2: I'd like to address a few things, and I'm sure a few more will pop up, but first and foremost, I really am not worried about people calling this post and my story fake. Belive me when I tell you that at times I really wish that were true. I wish all of this would of been a dream and didn't happen. But unfortunately that's not true.
Secondly, I didn't post a detailed lifeline of my events for a reason. There is alot more to this story. Alot of struggle and triumph, but that isn't made to be in a gaming forum. The only thing that was meant was for my experience with the game and Xbox to be shared and the role it played in my recovery.
Last but not least, my goal was to share my exp and hope that someone out there can use this as a measure of hope that there is always something worth fighting for and not to give up.
Last Edit: this post has done an amazing thing. Something I didn't think would happen. We have built a United positive minded community together and playing with some of you has been hands down one of the coolest things I could ask for. I wish everyone the best and hope that if I Havnt added you, to go ahead and add me, not only that but come play in this group of people that have come together under something positive and fun. If I Havnt thanked you personally, I thank you again for all the kind words and the on going hope.
Sincerely Jake aka maxinONrelaxin
-
Nice job man that is awesome, I used to have an addiction too. And destiny is some way a help for me too!
-
> was about to say "then you must a a lousy life" >mfw he had a lousy life ._.
-
good for you! good to know that this game still has uses.
-
Way to pull through man and kick the drug addiction to the curb.
-
1 RespuestaFrom one drug you went to another...
-
1 RespuestaYou're not the only person who's life got saved by this game... I'm right there with you bro. Have had a lot of ups and downs and depression and horrible nights and weeks. I met a lot of people from around the world and am great friends with them to date. They have helped me along my path and ease the pain. I love this game and most of the people in this community. Good luck on you're journey bro hope everything goes smooth from here on out for the both of us. #guardiansforlife #brotherhood
-
1 RespuestaEditado por Kendall Chrsn: 1/5/2016 6:50:04 PMWow. I actually honestly feel inspired! I haven't struggled with drugs but I've had other significant problems in life. As I'm sure others have. #endgame I like that.
-
I'm sorry
-
1 RespuestaEditado por Cappy: 1/5/2016 4:13:07 PMCongratulations on conquering the addiction! It's great to see people working hard to better themselves. I'm sorry you had to go through all that before the addiction, and I hope the best for your recovery.
-
2 RespuestasAs someone who fought my own addictions and won you have my utmost respect and support. Rebuilding your life is a long, slow and terribly difficult process and it requires building positive coping mechanisms to replace the destructive paths you once chose. Gaming and building social circles are in no way equivalent to the path to death that chemical addiction will always be. There will be many small, petty hecklers and keyboard warriors who will down on you here. Every one of them is a sad example of the worst traits our current culture allows. Don't let them drag you down. This is more of an achievement than any of these sad little excuses for human beings will ever understand. Much more important than whining about Iron Banner, bitching about what needs to be nerfed or pushing hunters vs. titans vs warlocks. Thanks for sharing. And stay strong, be positive and don't give up the good fight.
-
33 RespuestasWell done on kicking your addiction. It's the start of a long road to rebuilding 'you'. People who have never experienced addiction, don't know what gravity the actual word addiction holds. They're idiots. They don't get the physical side of it. They don't get the emotional hold it has. They don't get how it distorts your thinking. They don't get how it effects mental health. They don't understand relationships destroyed. They don't understand the monetary cost. Or how you would sell anyone, i mean anyone, for your next hit. How could they? They have never lived it. Take no notice of the people on here without those experiences, they have no clue and their opinion is invalid. How do I know this? 18 years addicted to Heroin, with whatever else was on the table thrown in for good measure. I was a deeply unhappy individual, drugs were my disconnect from the world. I stuck a needle in my arm up to 8 times a day, if that is not self harm, i don't know what is. Today I'm 8 years clean and the happiest I've been in my whole *ahem* years of life. I get it that gaming, whatever the game, helped fill time, it's such a big thing in the beginning. I used to spend up to 6 hours a day in the library to fill time in those early days. I've read lots and lots of books! Take some advice from an old ex-junkie? No game saved your life; You did that. Don't take it away from yourself. Your effort was what made it work. Also look at what you have and ask would you own this stuff as an addict? No. Another sign things are going in the right direction. Take time to appreciate the simple things, and i mean the simple things. A beautiful painting, a sunset, buying a new t-shirt. So few people appreciate what they have or the world around them. After addiction you can see this more clearly. Enjoy life. Kudos.
-
-
2 RespuestasHi man I'm really glad that you are out of trouble now and believe me I feel u. If u want I can tell u my story (not so trajic) in a privet message
-
The feels... THE FEELS!!!!!!!
-
1 RespuestaVideo game addictions is a real thing OP. But congratulations and remember to get some sunshine once you kill those scrubs in Trials.
-
2 RespuestasI was a heroin addict (among plenty of other drugs too) for many years. Video games ( at the time modern warfare and nba2k5) helped me IMMENSELY. The road is long and paved with humility, I'm sure you know this. Fight on guardian.
-
-
2 RespuestasMeth > Destiny
-
-
3 RespuestasGood on you man. Stay up. I hope that you are going to meetings or have some other support network to help you keep on the straight and narrow. Peace.
-
1 RespuestaWhy are games popular? Because they help get you though the rough times. Keep on playing, friend.
-
1 RespuestaWell, at least turning to a video game addiction is better than filling that void with drugs.... or bullshit religion.
-
1 Respuestagreat post is great.Love your honesty & openess, Happy New Year!!! Now get offa that xbox and get living!! All the best <3
-
1 RespuestaHoly shit thats rough. Well I don't know who u are but I hope you the best for you future And this better not be fake or ill be annoyed Thats just to sad to be believable
-
1 Respuestastay strong guardian
-
1 RespuestaIgnore all the cruel haters who may reply. I congratulate you on being able to overcome your issues with drugs and finding a path out of that darkness through Destiny. I have been using Destiny a lot lately to deal with the challenges of going through a divorce and now living on my own. I have three 40 level characters via PSN, and just last night started up a new character on Xbox1 and am enjoying starting the experience over from the beginning. Feel free to friend me on Xbox1. I'd be happy to play with you sometime!