I am so sorry that this addiction has destroyed your relationship with your husband. My husband and I have been together for 8 years (married 6 months yesterday... see my post), he's only had the game a week, and I hate it. This thing is just as bad a drinking or drugs. I've been a gamer for years, I love table-top games because I get to see my friends, bs about life, hear stories about 'the kids', eat dinner with a group of people I really like... now some of them won't even tare themselves away from the computer to play another game at the kitchen table!

Now I understand why my friend Bill's wife left him over Ever Crack (Ever Quest)! Nothing like your husband jumping you the second you walk in the door then getting up (not showering) and going back to the computer to play a computer game until morning, without saying a word to you.

My husband and I have gone through many difficult times, and I'm sure we will make it through this (ah the first week of optimism). But I'm anticipating some big fights.

Best of luck to you Heather, you deserve to be happy, and you are too young to be in an unhappy relationship. Perhaps he will kick his addiction and you will be together again, perhaps you will find someone who understands that relationships take work.

Good luck to you, I wish you all the best. I also hope that someday your husband really understands what he's gotten caught up in and sets himself right. This game is true, pure evil -- I don't know what else to call something that causes people to create so much pain for themselves and the people they care about.

I'm so sorry. I dated my bf for over 2 years. I admit we did meet in wow but he was smart and funny and had plans for the future and a life outside of the game. The first time I went to see him, it was so romantic and wonderful - we went to the coast, dined out, had romantic walks and talks. He told me about his dreams, and plans. The second visit was just as lovely, and we were extremely happy.

I went to see him several times after that, occasionally staying for a month or more. Every time I went there, it was all about the game. He ignored his son, and his family and he screamed at people if they would interrupt his gaming. He made me answer the phone so he could raid. When I was back home, and called him on a raid night, he would freak out on me on the phone. If we went out anywhere when I was there, it either had to be on a nonraid night, or be back in time for the raid.

He would ignore me sometimes when I did visit, and play wow. The sex was pretty much gone by the third visit. All he could talk about is raiding and how he needed new gear. He would ask me to go get dinner so he didnt have to get up. If he had to use the bathroom, he ran there and back.

He even made secret characters that he didn't think I knew about so he could game without me knowing. He was trying to hide how much he was playing, but we had the same 'friends' in game so things became clear pretty fast.

His parents called me in tears a few times asking me to help their son. His son asked me what the hell was wrong with his dad. His nieces and nephews felt sorry for him. His brother and sister were so angry.

In the fall, I said I wanted to settle down someday and asked how he felt about me moving closer. He barely looked up from his game and said ok. I got a job offer near him in September, but at the last minute turned it down. I think subconsciouly I knew why - he was mean and addicted, but when he asked me why I did it I just said it wasnt what I was looking for.

I went to see him a few more times including this past July, and he was all loving and said he wanted to be with me. I came back home and a couple weeks ago I called and said hey when should I come back and visit -theres a seat sale. Well....god forbid..I interrupted a raid with my call. He said I don't know..and had to go and hung up. He then didn't call or email me for a week. I finally logged into the game a few days ago, and asked him what was going on. He was in another raid. He got all angry and said You are interrupting me and we are through dating. Then, he went back to his raid.

So, after insisting I get to know ALL his family and spend time with them..talking to me about the future together..making me think he wanted to get married..I get dumped via WOW, and both myself and his family are devasted. I would have paid a months subscription to him for a break up call or email rather than that. ;)

I liked to play wow, but I could always put it down for friends, family, movies, concerts, bbqs...and REAL LIFE events. It hurts a great deal to be treated like this, and I feel bad for everyone else with similar stories. Being replaced by a game is cruel, and hard to cope with. I'm actually thinking of talking to a counsellor about this because I'm having a hard time dealing with his.

OMG me too!!! I was mad at the beginning. I didn't understand that this game didn't have a pause button, and he couldn't come to eat dinner at the table. I served him at the computer desk 2x then I stopped cooking for him altogether. No sex, nothing! He lies about going to work! He's not bringing in an income, and the business he started is "going out of business" It's been 2 years almost, and I don't have the same feelings for him anymore. Half the time I'm glad he's playing, so I don't have to be with him. At first I hated it that after me begging him to come be with me, and his 20 minutes turned into 3 hours! Now I could give a crap. Any day I'm about to throw him out on his ass! If he put half as much effort into excelling in the real world than this game, we'd be going places! I work my ass off to pay the bills, and he plays that game as if what level he's on is going to matter 2 years from now. After he's lost everyone in his life. Noone will care! I know I wont! Your not alone my friend, I feel the same way you do. Its too late sometimes. They get more ugly everyday they play...

OMG i cant believe i have found somewhere that everyone can relate to what i am going through.Heather i sympathise completely.I have been with my husband for 10 years,married a year & a half & he started playing warcraft about 5 months ago.We have just bought a new house & were about to start trying to have a family & then BAM he started playing this game & turned into a complete recluse within a few weeks.he would come home from work & start playing straight after dinner & play till midnight or 1am every night,only finally going to bed because he did have to work.Then on the weekend he would get up at 9-10am & play till anywhere between 2 & 5 am the next morning,get a little sleep then do it all again.I tried to communicate what it was doing to him & us & the more he played & didnt get it the more angry,upset & resentful i got.We had totally disconnected but as upset as i was hoped & prayed it was a phase as hey we are married & have been together 10 years surely its just a speed hump but NO....2 weeks ago he told me he didnt think he wanted to be married anymore...just like that,a once great loving relationship has gone all because of what this game has done.I am absolutely devasted & so angry & there is no reasoning with him.He will not see that the game has any bearing on what has happened & will not take any responsibility for the way it afeected me or us.I have pretty much left as he wont talk to me or communicate at all & im sure hes happy as can be playing his game whenever he wants without any hassles or NAGGING!!This game is Evil & just as bad as any substance abuse i know!!

Good for you. I know exactly what you are going threw and I wish I had the strength you have to be able to just walk away, but I think I am almost there. I think you are right when you said you can only be neglected emotionally before you are not in love with that person any more.