Alcohol has never been of interest to me, nor has it ever been a vice on my mind and body during my time on this earth. I do not understand the fascination to willingly exchange hard earned money for a chemical concoction, that has the sole purpose of diminishing the control of a persons mental and physical faculties for a few hours. Even during my late teens and early 20’s when the opportunity to partake in binge drinking culture arose, ‘just because I could’, I still never developed an intimate relationship with the bottle.
As time went on, my alcohol consumption reduced to ‘just one’ on special occasions and holidays. By the end of 2013, I had discovered and fully embraced a ‘straight edge’ lifestyle championed by former WWE Superstar ‘CM Punk’. I was happy and contempt with living my life this way, with expendable income giving my wife and children the life they deserved and feeding my obsession with video games.
Work and Alcohol
Fast forward to April 2019, I found myself ready to start a new role with an organisation that specialises in the support and refurbishment of intricate and complex scientific instruments. I came to quickly realise that I was once again an anomaly in another place of employment. I was the ‘guy that didn’t drink’, in an environment dominated by drinking culture. It did not bother me, if anything it was an ice breaker early on and a talking point with my new colleagues. Especially ‘Jerry’.
Jerry in one of the most intelligent men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He holds various degrees ranging from electrical engineering to applied physics. Just like I would consider myself well versed in video games and their accompanying technology since 1993, Jerry has been a ‘craft ale connoisseur’ since the late 1970’s. Unfortunately, Jerry’s love for the golden nectar clashes with debilitating anxiety, insomnia, and the extensive medication he takes to keep his demons in check.
I had seen Jerry in various physical states. The brilliant engineer, bright eyed and bushy tailed. I have also seen the intoxicated shell of a man who used my office wall as an aid to ensure he remained standing. It was difficult to witness a colleague in this state, especially when their mind is a treasure trove of vital information that it has gathered over the year. Jerry was one of very few colleagues who had shown an interest in my extracurricular activities, and my attempts to moonlight as a streamer and content creator. If there was something he did not understand or know about, he wanted to learn.
Facing a Problem
Roll on April 2020. Nations everywhere are engulfed into the global Coronavirus pandemic. Because of the support that our employer offers to vital medical research and diagnosis facilities; me, Jerry and our other colleagues continue to work through the year. My hobby of gaming has not gone anywhere, but Jerry’s much-loved pub has closed its doors. Despite the detrimental effects on his physical health that it offers; Jerry’s only social outlet is no longer there, and his mental health starts to take a turn for the worst.
We slip forward to June 2020 not only is the UK locked down, but a heat wave has also descended on the country. Jerry would have been nursing a hangover in a beer garden, refreshed by a chilled bottle of Kopparberg. Instead he is watching a documentary on YouTube about the Challenger 2 tank and dropping Anadin extra like M&Ms. Meanwhile, I am immersed in an article comparing the technology of the upcoming next generation of gaming platforms.
From out of nowhere, like a glorious ‘RKO’, Jerry pipes up with “I’m thinking of getting an Xbox, can you help me”.
“You bet your sweet ‘A’ I can help you Jerry”.
Looking Out for a Friend
I then spent that Thursday afternoon with Jerry, explaining the difference between the various Xbox consoles available at the time. I made sure he was well informed and gave him the chance to soak in features of alternative options like Playstation 4. We discussed his interests for hours and the genre of games that matched. I went into detail about Game Pass, letting him take a look at the app on my phone and all the games available in the library.
Jerry eventually settled on an Xbox One X, arranging for it to be delivered to work the following day. Bundled with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and a Turtle Beach headset. It arrived on the Friday and just like a kid at Christmas, he could not wait to get it home to set it all up. I assisted him with the set up of his live account at work to spare him some time. When it came to the arduous task of installing updates and the monolith file sizes regular gamers come to expect, I wanted the experience to be as seamless as possible for him.
Come that following Monday, Jerry could not stop talking about the games he had played that weekend. He had ploughed fields on Farming Simulator and taken up arms on Call of Duty. I had not seen Jerry this enthusiastic since I started working for my current employer.
Pint Glass to Game Pass
Since Jerry made that leap into the world of gaming, we now have regular conversations about games we have played. The raids and events we have taken part in are shared and analysed over a brew of the finest Yorkshire Tea.
I have noticed a significant difference in Jerry and his demeanour. He still has the odd off-day, but these are now few and far between when historically they were a more than regular occurrence. I asked him if since he has bought an Xbox, has he reduced his alcohol intake. The answer was a resounding yes. Not only that, but his anxiety and insomnia medication has been lowered significantly.
The world of video games sometimes faces accusations of distracting players from dealing with real world problems. In certain cases, this can be true. In Jerry’s world, gaming has offered that distraction from another very real problem of alcohol addiction. Whilst he hasn’t entirely overcome his demons, he is on a much better path to recovery. Much of this is owed to his introduction to gaming.
Mark Leversedge is a Twitch affiliate and YouTuber who is better known as MancBasTurd. Mark has graciously written this article discussing alcohol, gaming and mental health as an insight into the benefits that gaming can offer a person’s wellbeing. We ask you to check out his Twitter page to hear more BasTurdry.