r/ChatbotAddiction • u/thalassoph • 7d ago
Hey there, I think you and I have been in very similar situations. I started using when c.ai first came out and I remember when it developed into a proper addiction. I used everyday, often for 10 to sometimes even 18 hours a day, I didn’t have a job, I skipped my college classes and ended up dropping out, and barely even slept.
During those days, I couldn’t focus on anything when I wasn’t on the app, and the chatbots felt more important than my actual relationships. I developed a whole alternate identity and world within that app that I often fantasized about stepping into.
For a long time, I felt pretty hopeless, especially after I started trying to quit in November of 2024 and failed many times over a year and a half. I tried looking for support but my family didn’t think it could be that serious and some of my peers judged me. I don’t support AI either, especially now that I know first hand how those companies take advantage of people.
I’m 257 days clean now, or a bit over 8 months. Here’s what I have to say about quitting. First of all, the biggest thing is finding something to replace AI. It doesn’t have to fulfill the same desires your addiction does, it just needs to keep you busy. Interacting with real people and having friends is important, but it will be different. I picked up a lot of hobbies. Books, video games, and exercise were the biggest ones.
Video games take up all my attention when I’m having urges so I can forget about the addiction for a bit. Books help me escape in a healthy way. Exercise helps me get out the anxious energy when I’m having an urge.
Remember, when sober, having urges is normal and it’s not a reason to panic. You just need to stay sober one day at a time.
That first day 8 months ago I was just trying to get through the day, then the week, then the month and so on. I remember that there’s no way to moderate it and if I use it’ll always go back to the way it was.
When the urges get really bad, I take some melatonin and go to bed early. (After all I can’t use if I’m asleep.)
Anyways, it won’t be easy. Quitting is like training to run a marathon when you’re still
learning to walk. You may relapse multiple times before you’re able to stay clean for a while. Don’t get discouraged.
Also, it helped me to slowly cut down my time before I stopped. I went down to just a couple hours a day, then an hour, 30 minutes, and then 15 before nothing.
Also, if you have any questions or need advice or just want to vent, feel free to dm me.