I've been there, and I must say I disagree with most posts on this thread.
My first year of playing pool made me neglect other aspects of my life. I eventually realized that I was hoping to ESCAPE from the inconvinient aspects of my life through pool. I also began to experience more frustration with my poolplaying. Till at some point it wasn't fun at all, so why would I, an amateur, do it if it is not enjoyable? All I could think about was, dammit I'm still unable to run a 6 pack or something.
Then I went through some rough shit with my former girlfriend and took time away. I resolved some of the personal issues that actually were hindering my enjoyment and development in pool. I'm still not entirely cured, I still sometimes resort to pool to forget, much like alcohol or any other drug. I have an addictive personality...
I must say this:
a) I've met quite a few A players and shortstops who have balanced lives. Who read, work, foster human relationships, run errands, physically exercise, and have interests other than pool. As a matter of fact, I know more B players who are embittered and addicted to the game than A players, I think you know why. Just ask Blackjack;
b) I understood eventually that the learning process was its own reward. That learning the game is what was most rewarding, not some kind of rat-race with the other addicts to see who can string the most racks the soonest or who spends the most time marvelling at Mika Immonen on tape;
c) Ultimately, I think, as is the case with all addictions, the origin of the problem (and it is a problem if it is disrupting other aspects of your life) lies OUTSIDE the addiction. There is something in your personal life, past or present, that is unresolved... that you are attempting to escape from, or that makes you feel unfulfilled unless you resort to pool as an escape mechanism. Examine the origin;
d) I decided to put a cap on my practice. Interestingly enough I've been learning FASTER, because my practice nowadays is more focused and enjoyable. One way I did it is to not allow myself just to hit a ball. I now have to be putting my most sincere effort into accomplishing something, every time I find myself at a pool table. Drills, quantifying them, races with the ghost, and a pool notebook detailing achievable, realistic goals for the near future did the trick for me. I also don't just play 9 ball for fun. I try to compete, which requires some sort of discipline;
That being said, I'm not completely over it. I still sometimes slip into my embittered addiction and escapism. It takes constant effort. BTW, I've had serious problems with alcoholism in the past, so I know a thing or two about addiction in general despite my young age.
Hope this helps.
