How to overcome gaming addiction?

[WarVet]

Hey there. I used to play video games for long periods of time every day. But I managed to get over that habit. Here's what I did - I kept myself busy with other things like:
-Going out with friends and partying with them
-Keeping myself busy by taking care of my dog
-watching k drama
-getting a job
-gardening
-learning new stuff like cooking, swimming, etc.
-going on an out of town adventure.

There are lots of ways. The only hindrance is yourself.

You nailed it buddy. Videogames can be a great thing as long as them don't keep you from living real life. When your real life becomes virtual then you might start worrying that something is not right. You can fix this however by going out, getting a job, to sum it up "get a life " . But that doesn't mean you can't play. So long as you keep your priorities in check.

 

[JoeMilford]

A person can get addicted to probably anything, really, so I do not think it is the thing we are addicted to as much as it is us all being self-aware and healthy about our decisions. Having real goals and people in your life to spend time with will keep you off the console and PC. I use gaming as a reward system once I have taken care of everything else, and I go weeks without playing, at times, due to the priorities in my life.

 

[Yiskah]

You post a very good and tough question! I wish I had the answer and find peoples responses very interesting. I did see a documentary on this it might have been on PBS. It was about a rehab like place for kids in China or Japan I don't remember but it was a lot like a drug rehab even had some kids breaking out and going to an all night gaming cafe! I have 2 teenagers and I wish I could break them of it but it goes deeper than just games its the internet too.

 

[overcast]

If you think of it from the psychological perspective you'd find that addiction can only be replaced. You try to do addiction control, it will backfire. And in such case you can only let your mind switch from one addiction to another. As you can see gaming addiction is very serious among kids and even in the grown ups. So you may have to control it with replacing it with another.

 

[peachpurple]

I agree with this! we can let our kids become addicted to gaming and disregard other important activities for they grown. As “mean” as it “sounds” you did well. They also need to interact with other children in the outside world. I have meet teens with serious problems because their parents didn’t realize they were becoming addicted to gaming until it was too late to control. After all when they are older is hardest to make them listen.

I agree with you, once the teens are older, whatever parents say, nothing goes into their heads because they are persistent and demanding. So, it is best to educate and control a child's gaming addict when he is young because he is "Afraid" of parents' ground punishments.

 

[mcbryan]

I admit that I also experience game addiction. Bonding with my friends playing normal games outside is one way to overcome game addiction. Traveling to some other places and have some picnic with friends and family is also a way to forget about gaming. We should our priority once we reach university because of that the moment where in our future depends on. We should put limits on our gaming session.

 

[Pink_Turtle]

I agree with you, once the teens are older, whatever parents say, nothing goes into their heads because they are persistent and demanding. So, it is best to educate and control a child's gaming addict when he is young because he is "Afraid" of parents' ground punishments.

Exactly! better to use the master key while there's a chance of still making it function. After they are teens, I won't say it's a lose cause but they are less probable to listen to us...

 

[victorslide05]

I was only addicted to gaming when I was jobless and studying.Now I have plenty articles to write or designs to teach.I only game during weekends and holidays.Tried to game at night but will sleep off after an hour due to fatigue from the day's work.
Being busy keep off gaming addiction.

 

[younes]

I used to be addicted on playing video games, but now I am still playing them just in my spare time. I used not to even meet my friends outside. When my friends visit me, they find me playing games and they really look upset because I do not give them the time that they really deserve. So, I managed to deal with this issue and the things that I do to avoid the excess of playing games, is that I try to go out and meet my friends. I try to do sport and reading instead of playing. I delete games from time to time and that in order not to keep playing them.

 

[Chris Holman]

Most of us face this phase of gaming addiction sometimes or the other. There are times when we get so obsessed with a game that we cannot think about anything else.

Gaming it good until it is done for fun. But as soon as it starts overpowering the mind and the soul it starts affecting the physical and mental well-being.

What are the steps that can be taken so as to overcome this addiction?

JUST STOP PLAYING! I laugh because if it were only that easy sometimes. Some people really have an extremely hard time letting go of what was once a large part of their lives. I know that I have had my gaming addictions from time to time, and when I notice that I back off and stay offline for a bit. What about all of you?

 

[OursIsTheFury]

I admit that I also experience game addiction. Bonding with my friends playing normal games outside is one way to overcome game addiction. Traveling to some other places and have some picnic with friends and family is also a way to forget about gaming. We should our priority once we reach university because of that the moment where in our future depends on. We should put limits on our gaming session.

There are a ton of cases where people have failed school because they couldn't stay away from gaming. It's part of a gamer's life I guess. There comes a time where you really can't stay away and you'll slip in school. Hopefully you'll get that motivation to actually BE good in school to balance it out, since failing classes would mean you would be stuck in school a lot more.

 

[WildSpirit]

I used to be addicted on playing video games, but now I am still playing them just in my spare time. I used not to even meet my friends outside. When my friends visit me, they find me playing games and they really look upset because I do not give them the time that they really deserve. So, I managed to deal with this issue and the things that I do to avoid the excess of playing games, is that I try to go out and meet my friends. I try to do sport and reading instead of playing. I delete games from time to time and that in order not to keep playing them.

Even with restricted time you don't consider yourself an addict anymore? I think addiction doesn't have to be directly related to the time that game is played.

I was only addicted to gaming when I was jobless and studying.Now I have plenty articles to write or designs to teach.I only game during weekends and holidays.Tried to game at night but will sleep off after an hour due to fatigue from the day's work.
Being busy keep off gaming addiction.

But you still play video games, so... What matters is if you still like to play, it's for fun. :smile: Or maybe Am I wrong?

I admit that I also experience game addiction. Bonding with my friends playing normal games outside is one way to overcome game addiction. Traveling to some other places and have some picnic with friends and family is also a way to forget about gaming. We should our priority once we reach university because of that the moment where in our future depends on. We should put limits on our gaming session.

I think as we grow older, our priorities change... And we end up doing it (I mean, prioritizing what is most importante) almost naturally. :sweatsmile:

If you think of it from the psychological perspective you'd find that addiction can only be replaced. You try to do addiction control, it will backfire. And in such case you can only let your mind switch from one addiction to another. As you can see gaming addiction is very serious among kids and even in the grown ups. So you may have to control it with replacing it with another.

If you're a convicted addict (I mean... a real one :tearsofjoy, I think addiction will never leave you. What will change is the targeting (if you know what I mean, of course :tearsofjoy.

 

[younes]

Even with restricted time you don't consider yourself an addict anymore? I think addiction doesn't have to be directly related to the time that game is played.

Maybe you are talking about the fact that being not able to stop playing games, is what means addiction I guess. However, I deem the time that I spend playing on games more valuable than the ability to stop playing them. ^^

 

[WildSpirit]

Maybe you are talking about the fact that being not able to stop playing games, is what means addiction I guess. However, I deem the time that I spend playing on games more valuable than the ability to stop playing them. ^^

It was EXACTLY what I was talking about. :smiley: You got the right spirit of a gamer. :sunglasses:

 

[amitkokiladitya]

JUST STOP PLAYING! I laugh because if it were only that easy sometimes. Some people really have an extremely hard time letting go of what was once a large part of their lives. I know that I have had my gaming addictions from time to time, and when I notice that I back off and stay offline for a bit. What about all of you?

Now my responsibilities have come in the way of my gaming addiction. Even if I want I cannot spare a lot of time for games. As I entered the phase of motherhood many things were left behind including my all time favorite gaming.

 

[WildSpirit]

Now my responsibilities have come in the way of my gaming addiction. Even if I want I cannot spare a lot of time for games. As I entered the phase of motherhood many things were left behind including my all time favorite gaming.

But if you still like to play video games, the true spirit of a player will still live on you. It may seem cliche, but it's the truth. :wink:

 

[OursIsTheFury]

JUST STOP PLAYING! I laugh because if it were only that easy sometimes. Some people really have an extremely hard time letting go of what was once a large part of their lives. I know that I have had my gaming addictions from time to time, and when I notice that I back off and stay offline for a bit. What about all of you?

"Just stop playing" isn't very effective. Sure, you can stop for a day or two, but you'll eventually be back at it. The best you can do is moderate on the gaming time; for example if you play 8 hours a day, you can opt to just play 6 hours a day, then move down the hours gradually. It's a lot easier that way; you get to have fun playing while still being able to find the time to do other things, so you don't feel too guilty spending all those hours playing.

 

[amitkokiladitya]

But if you still like to play video games, the true spirit of a player will still live on you. It may seem cliche, but it's the truth. :wink:

I have a true gaming soul. I cannot stay away from my games for long. So no matter what, I always spare at least an hour for playing my favorite games. And for this I don't fall behind even if I have to compromise my limited sleeping time.

 

[WildSpirit]

I have a true gaming soul. I cannot stay away from my games for long. So no matter what, I always spare at least an hour for playing my favorite games. And for this I don't fall behind even if I have to compromise my limited sleeping time.

So, you can breathe in relief: you are still part of our team! :smile: I think once a player, always a player. Right?! :wink:

 

[amitkokiladitya]

So, you can breathe in relief: you are still part of our team! :smile: I think once a player, always a player. Right?! :wink:

Yeah... Thanks a lot. But as soon as my toddler will start with a proper school I will be able to spare a lot of time for my games. It is just a question of one more year.