I've used Dota 2 as a crutch for years, stopping it every now and then when I felt it was interfering with my personal development or school work.

I'm a moment of stoppage now...and man, having the time to write (I like to write), or play with AI stuff or clean my home or pack (we're moving soon) is really nice. I don't have that intense inner pressure that comes with winning or losing an online multiplayer game, which just opens up so much space for everything else.

Or it could turn you into a huge stoner like it did to me for like a decade. I'm from a suburban area, but there isn't much to do around here other than drink, farm and hunt. Drinking gets old quickly and I don't farm or hunt. Also the weather limited my choice of activities for a good 5 months out of the year.

I just moved down to South Florida where I just want to be active because the weather is nice (at least for now, ask me again in about 4 months) and everyone looks good, so if I'm not laying out by the pool or working out (for "free" at the building's gym) I'm usually doing something else, rather than sitting inside smoking out of boredom.

Boredom is a gift that gives people energy.

Where they spend that energy is entirely up to their circumstances. Do they binge watch an entire series of the simpsons? Or do they take up painting.

It can lead to wonderful things, but equally it can be squandered.