Friday, March 22, 2024

How To Stop My Addiction To Video Games

So How Did I Fix My Sons Obsession With Video Games

How to TOTALLY Stop Your Video Game Addiction

You might laugh at how simple this was. I took away all electronics cold turkey but then made a deal with him. The deal was this. If he could beat me at chess, then he could play video games. I knew that it would take him a long time to get good enough to beat me at chess. If the day finally came that he did beat me at chess, he could play but he would need to remain the champion in order to keep playing. When I beat him back, the video games disappear.

On nights, weekends, and any other time of the day, I see my son taking a much greater interest in lots of other things. He doesnt beat me at chess but he has lots of fun trying. He wanted to go to Barnes and Noble to get The Chess Players Bible so that he could study it and beat me. He is actually reading because he wants to! He is putting in the effort to accomplish a goal and it is making him smarter in the process. I havent heard a word about video games for months and it has truly changed our lives.

If youre not into chess then do something else. It can be anything. Issue a challenge and make him earn it.

Getting Help For Video Game Addiction

Recovery is not always easy, but it is achievable. Video game addiction can be just as dangerous as any other addiction and should be treated as such. The first step in overcoming dependency is being able to recognize that it exists. If you or someone you know exhibits any of the signs or symptoms described above, please dont hesitate to find help treating a video gaming addiction. Call our hotline today at to begin the road to recovery.

Look Out For Social And Open

Online games with social components pose an increased risk of addiction. These immersive programs encourage players to pursue achievements and participate in events that require substantial time commitments. Gamers are drawn in by a need for connection and feelings of competence and control.

Players of social games share a sense of mutual responsibility and reinforcement that makes it harder to log off or quit. Parents may want to discourage these games if a teen is prone to addiction. Even open-ended single player games or games that are hard to stop or pause may not be ideal. Opt for games with short, timed rounds that encourage play in short bursts rather than marathon sessions.

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Has Gaming Become A Negative Force In Your Life

Sure, gaming isnt all bad.

It can be a fun and creative way to pass the time and work your brain

If its taking over the balance of your life, however, then its time to consider some serious changes.

Reach out to your friends and family, and inform them of the lifestyle change youre trying to implement so that you can receive support.

Note: if you have a serious gaming problem, to the point where you are a danger to yourself, please seek professional help.

We all need help sometimes thats the nature of being human in the real world.

Want to read more on this topic?

Check out the bonus material, How Violence in Video Games is Affecting Your Mental Health,here.

How To Help Your Child Addicted To Videogames: Dos:

Your brain on video game addiction

These tips involve actions to do and perspectives to have when working with your child to end his gaming addiction. Do:

  • Hold firm with your limits. Your gaming rules must be enforced consistently for your child to take them seriously.
  • Establish firm and consistent consequences for when they break the rules or exceed their limit .
  • Track their gaming time to help your child see how much time theyre spending gaming. Many times, kids dont realize how much time is really passing.
  • Use a signal to warn him or her when the time is almost up so they have a chance to finish what they’re doing.
  • Buy a timer that will automatically turn off the system .
  • Keep the system unavailable when theyre not allowed to play.
  • Limit screen time for the whole family. If everyone is glued to their phones, for example, its hard for anyone to live fully in the real world.

Also Check: How To Deal With An Addict In Denial

Here Are Four Possible Signs Youre Gaming Too Much:

  • You Neglect Real World Responsibilities: Have you been getting up late for work or missing classes as a result of late-night gaming sessions? Have you ruined relationships, broken promises, and let family and friends down? Youre putting gaming first. And being unable to make your responsibilities a priority is a problem, especially if youre serious about your current goals.
  • You Neglect Your Real World Appearance: Are you forgetting to shower? Did you wear the same dirty shirt all weekend? Do you go to bed smelling a little funky because, well, youre not going to see anyone anyways? Being hooked to a screen often makes you put off the most basic things in life, like simply tending to your personal hygiene.
  • You Neglect Real World Health: Lack of sleep, sore back, sore eyes, poor food choices, anxiety, or weight gain can all be by-products of too much gaming. At FocusMe we hear from new customers all the time who tell us they often forgot to eat because of their gaming habits . Some end up living on fast food just because they cant pull themselves out of the house to shop for the real thing.
  • What Are The Dangers Of Gaming Addiction

    The cons of video game addiction are numerous, especially when compared to the relatively few pros. The only advantages of playing a lot of video games are a heightened imagination and perhaps improved hand-eye coordination. These are not close to being able to match the overwhelmingly negative effects of the addiction. Most of the symptoms of video game addiction translate directly into negative effects. However, there are some effects that may be even longer-lasting and more dangerous.

    People Addicted to Video Games Usually Suffer From Other Conditions Such As:

    Read Also: Why Is Nasal Spray Addictive

    How To Avoid Video Game Addiction

    wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 69 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 265,153 times.

    Video game addiction can be very detrimental to one’s health and social life. The following is a list detailing how to avoid becoming addicted, and how to recover if you are already addicted.

    How To Stop Playing Video Games: 3 Effective Strategies

    How to Overcome Video Game Addiction

    When a gamer learns about video game addiction, the first question that comes to their mind is, âHow do I stop playing video games?â

    There are three ways to stop playing video games:

  • Quit all forms of gaming instantly.
  • Slowly reduce the amount of time you spend gaming.
  • Find a competing interest that pulls you away from video games.
  • However, for these strategies to be effective, it is essential to understand how bad your video game addiction is. Here is a quiz to figure that out:

    Continue reading to learn how video games affect your brain and behavior, and how you can stop playing video games.

    Also Check: How Long To Get Rid Of Nicotine Addiction

    How I Saved My Son From His Gaming Addiction

    Learning that your child has gaming addiction, or any kind of addiction at all, is a hugely challenging experience. The first question any parent would ask is: How can I help?

    In 2014, I discovered my son had become severely addicted to video games, while away at university. Knowing nothing about this relatively new addiction, and having little outside support, I used my holistic training to help my son stop gaming and lead him towards eventual recovery.

    Negative Effects Of Video Game Addiction

    Gaming addiction is considered a psychological disorder that results in heavy psychological damage. Playing for a minimum of 10 hours a day, for some reaching for up to 15 hours of gaming is common among addicts. Normally during the day, many gaming addicts are sleep deprived. Some gamers may have agoraphobia, a phobia, or a type of anxiety disorder wherein they do not leave the house.

    Gaming addicts tend to be irritable, moody, cranky, depressed, and refuse to do schoolwork or do jobs due to their games. Sometimes, our habits can turn into an addiction. When will we consider it as an addiction already? The answer is simple if it affects your academics, professional success, physical health, mental health, and our relationship to others.

    Video game addicts are facing a different problem, their academics can be affected because video games are prioritized over doing school stuff. When it comes to professional success, you cannot focus properly on your work because you are always in the idea of playing a video game.

    Even having a lack of sleep and not eating on time can cause some physical disorders. Mentally you are exhausted because you do not know when and how to stop. Our relationships with other people will be affected, as you do not know how to interact with the community or how to deal with other people.

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    Am I Addicted To Video Games How Do I Control It

    Do you love playing video games? Or are you getting addicted to it? To play video games for leisure and getting addicted are two different things. However, many gamers are unaware that they are experiencing video game addiction. There are two reasons: you can be in denial or unaware of gaming addiction.

    With the easy access to video games these days, may it be with a PS5, Xbox, even your phone, it really is tempting to easily get hooked. When do you consider yourself a video game addict? Read further so you can learn if you have a gaming addiction and how to get help.

    A Few Examples Of How Our Software Can Help:

    How to stop playing video games

    If studying or work requires you to use your computer, clicking on your favorite gaming website is almost automatic. Try our website or application blocker to prevent a slip-up.

    If you want to decrease your gaming time, try using our application to alert you when youve been gaming for more than 30 minutes. Then take a break, walk around, and give your body a chance to stretch.

    If you want to go nuclear, use our powerful force mode to lock yourself out of specfici websites, games, and apps completely with varying levels of protection from your own irrationality.

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    Why Is Video Game Addiction So Prevalent

    No definite scientific consensus is established in determining whether gaming is addictive. It regarded Internet Gaming Disorder as an unverified potential diagnosis with the need for additional review by the American Psychiatric Association.

    The APA defines addiction as a psychological disorder that manifests through compulsive substance usage despite the harmful consequences. Consequently, it excludes the possibility of any behavioral addiction.

    Only a very little part of gamers show the symptoms of a disorder particularly when it comes to specific symptoms of withdrawal or tolerance. For this reason, several people say over-use of games can act as a habit or become symptoms of another condition.

    The Tragedy Of Shawn Woolley

    In 2001, Shawn Woolley killed himself. The online game, Everquest, was running at the time of his death. It was his mother that discovered him dead. His mother blamed the game for her son’s suicide, while the CEO of Sony disagreed.

    There was no proof that Everquest resulted in his suicide. His mother stated he was addicted to the game and his suicide could be due to a possible love interest in the game. However, there is no concrete proof that it was the cause.

    Video game addiction may have played a big part. Shawn also had a lot of medical issues , which could have been worsened by the fact he was on his computer all of the time. He also stopped working, stopped paying his bills, and stopping interacting with his family.

    Who is to blame? That’s hard to say. His mother tried to get her son help, and it was not Sony’s responsibility to ensure people seek help. But this is proof that video game addiction is a real issue.

    In 2002, Shawn’s mother founded On-Line Gamers Anonymous to help others with this addiction

    It’s up to the addicted person’s friends and family to confront the person about their addiction. They have to take responsibility as much as the addicted person. They can’t just say, “It’s only a video game.” They have to step in and help.

    World Health Organization

    Video game addiction should be taken as seriously as any other addiction.

    Also Check: How To Speak To An Addict

    Why Is Video Game Addiction Controversial

    Since there is at least one gamer in 75% of American households, most people probably know at least one person who plays video games regularly. Few people would deny that someone could play videos games too often, and its easy to say that someone is addicted when they really just need to take a break. So is video game addiction even possible?

    Currently, there is no scientific consensus on when video game overuse becomes an addiction . For this reason, the American Psychiatric Association has classified Internet Gaming Disorder as an unverified potential diagnosis which requires further review. A 2017 study in the Associations official journal left open the possibility that the classification could one day change. However, it also stated that there is not enough research right now to confirm definitively that overusing video games is an addiction according to the APAs definition. The APA defines addiction as a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. This definition effectively excludes the possibility of any behavioral addictions.

    Another source of scientific skepticism is the fact that only a very small portion of gamers ever exhibit any signs of a disorder, especially the specific symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance. For this reason, some scientists and researchers believe that video game overuse is a just habit or a symptom of another disorder and not an addiction in and of itself.

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    Is There A Test Or Self

    How to Stop Video Game Addiction

    The most effective self-assessment that can be done is to examine the above list of symptoms associated with video game addiction. If you find that you or someone you care about exhibits any of these warnings signs, it may be a good time to cut back on the amount of time spent gaming. If you are unsure whether these symptoms apply to you, we can help. Call our toll-free number at to discuss your possible symptoms or to learn about treatment options.

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    Could My Kid Be Addicted To Video Games

    The word “addiction” gets used a lot to describe a certain kind of focused attention on media and technology. We say we’re “addicted” to checking our email or “addicted” to watching Game of Thrones. Kids, however, might display what looks to be addictive behavior when they’re only super engaged in creating something or getting to the next level in a game.

    But if you have real concerns about your kid’s behavior and notice mood changes, falling grades, mounting bills, or a lack of human interaction, you may want to talk with your pediatrician about the possibility of game addiction or the idea that another issue, such as depression, might be causing these problems.

    Consider how much time you spend looking at screens, too. Make sure you’re setting a good example at home by moderating your own technology use. And it’s always a good idea to invite your child to do something together in the real world.

    The Child Mind Institute contributed to this article. Learn more at childmind.org.

    Addicted To Gaming: Im 30 Years Old And Still Living With My Parents

    I am a 30 year old guy who stopped gaming last year. I hope my experience can help others.

    I got addicted to gaming from a very young age. My parents bought me a Nintendo console when I was around 5-8 years old. Damn that thing got me so excited! I still remember shooting those ducks with a fake gun on the screen! Slowly they bought me more and more games. I got better at them and then I moved to Playstation 1. My favorite console ever.

    Tekken 1 was my first game ever, then Tomb Raider Lara Croft 1. Then tons of others! I also bought the Playstation magazine that came with demo games every month! I was so competitive! I was getting so mad when I lost To be honest my parents never thought my passion for gaming was unhealthy. They thought it was funny. Let the kid be a kid and we go do our adult stuff.

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    Will A Video Game Addiction Hurt My Relationships And Self

    With any addiction, the substance or the behavior begins to be the center of your world. In that way, maintaining a healthy relationship becomes very challenging. Video games may limit your social skills, make you more hostile, and make it harder to form new relationships.

    Video game addictions and poor self-esteem share a strong connection. Evidence shows that people with low self-esteem may be more drawn to video games, and video games could also harm self-esteem. Video game addictions will not leave you feeling better about yourself, no matter how many times you level up.

    The Effects Of Video Game Addiction

    MY GAMING ADDICTION
    • Increase in aggressive behavior and outbursts, especially in young children.
    • Disinterest in other hobbies and activities.
    • Physical Symptoms: Weight gain, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, poor personal hygiene, back and neck pain, migraines, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
    • Poor performance at work and/or school.
    • FOMO .

    Learn more about video game addiction affects:

    Besides using screen time parental controls, set verbal limits for gameplay. For example:

    • Only spend mins or hours playing video games per day.
    • Games cannot be played during important events, meal times, and after bedtime.
    • Dont play games that are inappropriate for you.
    • Dont chat with strangers on games.
    • Only spend per month on video games.

    3. Help Them Find Other Activities To Do

    4. Play Games As A Family

    If you have a family and you are afraid your child will get addicted to games, try playing games as a family. Doing this will change their view of games as a bonding experience, and help them create a healthy relationship with playing games.

    Recommended Reading: How To Tell If Someone Is Addicted To Drugs

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