Episode 121 • Addiction

Be addicted to something
Addict
Quit cold turkey
Withdrawal symptoms
Urge
Story
Max: Hey Will!
Will: What’s up, dude! It’s so good to see you!
Max: I know! When was the last time we hung out? It must’ve been, what? Three, four months ago? How’s the family? How are the kids?
Will: Oh, you know, teenagers. Actually, I’ve been having a little trouble with Jonah lately.
Max: Why? What happened?
Will: Well, I mean, you know how kids are with video games, right? He started playing Fortnite a few weeks ago and I’m telling you, he‘s totally addicted to that stupid game. I don’t get it.
Max: Oh come on, it can’t be that bad.
Will: I’m telling you, he acts like an addict. He goes crazy whenever we tell him to turn that thing off.
Max: Listen, the best thing in this case is to quit cold turkey – take his PlayStation and just put it in your room or something. He might be mad at first but it’s the only way.
Will: Yeah, I guess I have no other option… [sighs] Alright, I gotta run…
Max: Alright, I’ll call you in a couple of weeks to see how it’s going.
Will: Alright! Bye!
Max: Bye, dude!
[Phone ringing]
Will: Hey, Max!
Max: Hey, how’s it going? I texted you but I never heard back from you. I wanted to know how Jonah was doing…
Will: Oh, uhm. He’s doing fine. I did what you told me. I just took his PlayStation and put it in my room.
Max: That’s great. How did he react? Any withdrawal symptoms?
Will: Uhm, no. No, he’s – he was fine.
Max: Are you busy? Is this a bad moment?
Will: No, I’m just- I’m playing…
Max: Wait, are you playing video games?
Will: I like it so much, man! I tried to quit but then… every night I get this crazy urge to play and once I start, I can’t stop!