I never thought a game like Rust could take over my life the way it did. At first, it was harmless—a way to blow off steam after work or school. The thrill of building bases, gathering resources, and surviving the chaotic, hostile world felt like an escape from my own reality. Each victory, whether it was defending my stash or raiding someone else’s, brought a rush that I couldn't find anywhere else. I’d log in just to check on my base and suddenly lose hours to farming, strategizing, and fighting off rivals. It wasn’t long before the game wasn’t just something I played—it became the center of my world. I stopped noticing how often I’d say, “Just one more run,” or “I’ll log off after this raid.” Those promises were always lies.

Soon, Rust started taking more from me than it gave. My sleep schedule was destroyed because I couldn’t stop worrying about getting raided in the middle of the night. I’d wake up groggy but still log in, desperate to repair the damage or rebuild from scratch. Friends outside the game stopped inviting me out because I’d either bail on plans or couldn’t stop talking about some epic raid they didn’t care about. Work and responsibilities started slipping, too. I’d rush through tasks just to get back to my computer, convincing myself that real life could wait. Deep down, I knew I had a problem, but the pull of Rust was too strong. It wasn’t just a game anymore; it was my obsession, and I hated that I couldn’t pull myself away.

My name is ionva][, and I’m fighting to break free from this addiction. It’s not easy—every time I see someone mention Rust online or hear the familiar sounds of the game, I feel the itch to log back in. But I’ve started taking steps to take my life back. I uninstalled the game, which felt like ripping off a bandage, and I’ve begun setting boundaries for myself when it comes to gaming. I’ve also reached out to friends I’d neglected, admitting how much I’d let the game consume me. They’ve been understanding, which helps more than I can say. It’s a battle every day to resist the urge, but I’m determined to rebuild myself in the real world, not just some virtual wasteland. Rust taught me how to survive under pressure, and now I’m using those lessons to survive this fight against myself.