How did you do it?

I'm not a true addict, not to any physical substance, anyway. No, I'm addicted to reading, or more specifically, fanfiction. They are similar symptoms, but not as severe as substance abuse. I think about it all the time, neglect my studies for it, and isolate myself to be on my computer to read. I'm going to try to quit it.
But how?
How do others find the resolve to quit anything that brings them pleasure? I know that neglecting everything for this is a mistake, but I can't help myself. How do you do it?
Where do you find the courage? I wan't to be like those who try. I don't want to ruin my first year of university, setting myself up for failure next year, by wasting my time and not studying.
I just... I want to know if others felt like this before. And what they did to remind themselves not to do it.
What they did to start making themselves strong.

[IwillDoThis]

Hey Sophia, glad you came over to this forum - though your issues are different than most people here we are all trying to battle through addiction of some sort.   I'm new too and I've found lots of really wise people who have supported me and encourage me to make a little change every day.  It helps sometimes to just not feel alone and shameful about things.......welcome!

[JGF25]

Hi Sophia, these types of compulsions are only a problem if they interfer with your everyday life.  You are now finding out that this type of reading is interferring with your studies.  So the challenge is to back off slowly.

How much time do you spend reading?  If you spend 8 hours now, try to come up with a tapering back scheme.  8 to 6 to 4 to 2 to 1 to 0 if you really want to just give it up completely.  Since you do enjoy it, I'm not sure that you have to entirely give it up.  Once you get down to a more reasonable time frame, use a timer and when it goes off, that is it, you are done.  You have to make yourself walk away and do the things that you need to get done.  It is not something you have to cold turkey.  Try to taper your time back and see how that goes.  I think the use of a timer the entire time is a good idea.  

Take care and post again if you need anything else.

[nlk259949]

Hi! I am so sorry that you are going through this, I know how hard it is. I this all of the above suggestions are wonderful. Like they said, try to taper down the amount of time that you spend reading. I was also thinking, that maybe you could do what you need to get done (but don't want to) first, and then that way you have your reading to look forward to! Also, that way you might still be able to read for a long period of time, if you finish the things you need to do first. I know with me, I have an extremely hard time focusing, and usually end up doing everything but what I need to. I will continue to stay online, go get food, etc. This will go on until all of a sudden this switch goes off in my head, and gives me the ability to focus (this is usually right at the end of the time that I have to be getting done what I need to). I used to always do this with tests for College, and would end up only giving myself an hour or so to study, leaving me with only 1/4 to 1/2 of the knowledge. It sucked, and I still have not conquered this, but I know it is all a part of anxiety and OCD. Stay strong, and try to find ways to force your mind to focus on what needs to be done first. Sometimes if you force yourself, you will realize that it was not so bad, and you will feel relaxed knowing you have finished the task. Hope this helps a little and hope things get a lot better soon!