12 Step Program: Recognizing You have a Problem!
If you?ve been living with an OFC addiction problem for a while now, you know how devastating it can be. Your friends and family tell you that you need help. You may have gotten in trouble at home, work, or even with the law. You?ve tried to cut back, but you always seem to end up on the Computer again at the OFC site just as much as you were - or more. You?ve tried to quit completely, but you just can?t seem to do it. So you just tell everyone you don?t have a problem and to get off your back. You tell yourself you?ll do it one day. You blame others around you: ?If he would just do this or if she would just stop doing that.? The truth is ? you MIGHT have a OFC addict/Softballholic problem. You just don?t know what to do or where to turn.
Families living with a OFC addict/Softballholic can be difficult, at best. We want to help them but sometimes we just don?t know where to turn or what to do. It is often said that the OFC addict/Softballholic has to ?hit bottom? before he/she will go for help, and there is some truth to that statement. Think about it. We rarely ask for help with anything unless it is really causing us problems. We don't usually go to the doctor or take our car to the mechanic unless there is an obvious problem, often one that has been present for some time. When you think about the nature of the OFC addict/Softballholic addiction, which is characterized by such great denial and delusion, it is clear why a person with an OFC addict/Softballholic problem doesn't just wake up one day and decide to get help. There is usually some crisis - one that makes the discomfort of using the computer greater than the discomfort of quitting - which sends him or her to get help.
Signs and symptoms of OFC addict/Softballholic
Health
Continuing to to stay up late at night on the OFC site even though you are tired and have to work the next day.
Financial issues
Purchasing Softball Equipment and Softball related items.
Inability to keep track of your money.
Employment or school
Continuing your Softball addiction even though you realize your job or education is in jeopardy.
Missing work or school, or going in late due to your Softball addiction.
Family and friends
Feeling annoyed when other people comment on, or criticize your Softball habits.
Associating with questionable acquaintances or frequently out to a different Ballpark.
Social life
Scheduling your day around Softball.
Focusing recreational activities around Softball,
On the OFC site alone or in secret.
Signs and symptoms of OFC DEPENDENCE
Cravings
Strong and overwhelming desire to logon the OFC site at a specific time or the next morning Creating a ritual of being on the OFC site before, during, or after dinner, and becoming annoyed when this pattern is disturbed or questioned.
Tolerance
A tendency to be online more than intended, or being unable to stop once you start,
Consuming a large quantity of Softball Info without appearing intoxicated.
Effects on memory and motivation
Not remembering Family or friend conversations or commitments; sometimes referred to as a "blackout" once online at the OFC site.
But it is possible to ?raise? that bottom for the OFC addict/Softballholic. The best steps a family member or friend can take to help a person with an OFC addiction/Softballholic problem are to LEARN the facts about addiction, get SUPPORT for him/herself, IDENTIFY and STOP any ?enabling? behaviors and CALL The Softball Anonymous Council at 1-800-FSTPTCH.
And Seriously! I don't see that I have an OFC addiction, I just enjoy having the opportunity of helping my fellow OFCer's out.
FASTPITCH! Anything else, and you're playing to SLOW!
