Might as well face it, he’s addicted to…

Call of Duty. I have been hesitant to write about this topic because I thought maybe it wasn’t an addiction, just a “phase”. You see, I committed my life to a creature that is very cyclical. And normally the cycle begins when he immerses himself into something, and he goes into an obsession phase that lasts for a few weeks. Eventually, the obsession decreases, he moves onto something else, and the cycle begins again. For example, subjects such as exercise, gambling, wine, real estate, cars, sports, and politics are usually the subjects of obsession that cycle in and out. This fickle behavior used to weird me out, make me think that maybe I would be the next “item” to be cycled out. But, lucky for him he isn’t this way with women. Needless to say, I have learned to live with his cyclical obsessions and have even found them amusing at times. That was until I was confronted by a new beast, an obsession that doesn’t seem to be on a circular path, one that has not phased out, but grown; it is the PS3 game, Call of Duty.

Now here is the problem, you can play Call of Duty with/against other people online – there is actual real-life competition. It’s not like his brief obsession with Assassin’s Creed; when he beat the game, he was over it. In Call of Duty your character moves up the military ranks, gains access to new weaponry, and your enemy is always different. And the cherry on top… his best friend, Chip, now has Call of Duty so they call one another and play together. Picture this, a 33 year old man sitting on the living room couch with his iPhone headset in his ears (so he can communicate with his best bud), his PS3 control in his hands, his tongue almost out due to concentration, and an unwavering focus on the television to kill the next enemy who comes into view – talk about hooked in. One evening, he was like this for four hours straight! And another time he jokingly asked if he could play with Chip for a little bit. I laughed and said, “Sure,” so he got on his phone and said, “You ready dude? Carrie said I can play for a little bit.” Did I marry a man or inherit a son?

In order to eliminate as much anger and bitching as possible, my husband is careful to sneak his addiction and play when he thinks I won’t mind or notice; for example, when I am on the phone, in the shower, or working in the office. And let me tell you, he is quick to play. If I as much as begin a conversation on the phone he is playing Call of Duty.

Like a good wife, I have attempted to play Call of Duty with him. The whole if you can’t fight em’, join em’ mentality. Unfortunately, all I came away with was frustration and a little motion sickness. I must admit when I sit down to play, I can’t stop thinking about the other things I should be doing instead. Do addicts have this internal voice? Or have they mastered its mute button?

So here is what I am proposing, this section of the blog will be dedicated to COD –Anon (Call of Duty Anonymous) We will create an area that offers help and hope to family members of those addicted to Call of Duty or any other videogame. So please share your own experience, strength and hope. It is important that I meet others who share my feelings and frustrations, if not my same situation.

See you in COD-Anon.