Heres A List Of Gaming Addiction Resources You May Find Helpful:
- Escaping video game addiction: Cam Adair at TEDxBoulder: Listening to someone elses story on how they escaped their video game addiction can give you the inspiration and courage to do the same.
- Computer Gaming Addicts Anonymous: A support group with a lot of great resources, including a team meeting schedule to help you get on the right track.
- Vice: How Video Game Addiction Can Destroy Your Life: A look into the darker side of video game addiction to give you some additional perspective on the extent of its damaging effects.
- Psychology Today: Why Johnny Cant Stop Playing Video Games: A psychologists perspective on video game addiction and how to break it.
- Greenfield Video Game Addiction Test: Take this quiz to gain more insight into the nature of your own addiction.
Need For External Validation
People who dont get much attention in their real life often compensate for it through gaming. They can be someone in the game. Yes, this phenomenon is seen in all areas of life but in games, its easily achieved. In certain games, simply throwing more time at it makes you better.
This is often seen in multiplayer games. The argument that people play MMOs simply because they are competitive and want to be the best doesnt stand here. Its countered by the fact that people often pursue a lot of things in the game that dont improve their ability to compete like skins in competitive multiplayer games, or rare items/mounts, and hunting for achievements.
I remember farming rare mounts and items just to be able to sit in Stormwind the whole day and see other people looking at me. It made me feel good about myself, but this type of validation is unsustainable.
It can become quite unhealthy when one relies on a game for validation. I dont want to debate the merits of external validation because its outside the scope of this article, but its almost undeniable that relying on other peoples opinions to feel good about oneself is not ideal. Validation should come from the pride we feel over our real life accomplishments. Striving for this type of internal validation fuels our ambition to reach goals in life and simply cannot be achieved through gaming.
Insanely Simple Steps For Killing The Mobile Gaming Addiction
Like other teenagers, I was once victimised by gaming addiction. As years progressed, the addiction only grew stronger. It started out with a Desktop PC and later shifted to smartphones. I still remember playing Road Rash on a trash PC and how years later I ended up playing Call of Duty. When I didnt have much time for these giants, I started playing RPGs on my smartphone like Clash of Clans, Samurai Siege, DomiNations, Boom Beach and even a few games from the different genre like Subway Surfer, Shadow Fight, Temple Run and the list goes on.
Honestly, I still play a few of them . But Ive managed to cut down all time I spent ..or wasted? I truly believe if you clicked on this article, you must have at least once in your life faced the gaming addiction. Therefore, Im going to share how I killed my gaming addiction and how you can too.
There is no fancy technique but a few simple steps. I first thought Id never stop playing games. In fact, I never really stopped. I still play sometimes but not on the cost of my productivity.
The truth about boosting productivity isnt compromising on the things you love, but proper allocation of time for everything.
I calculated the time I spent on games. It was pretty too much. I have even spent over 6 hours a day just sitting in front of the screen. When I switched to mobile devices, I believe the time spent while playing was even more as I clicked the game icons more than I clicked my mail or social media.
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Im Not Here To Say That Gaming Is Bad
At first gaming was a fun hobby I had where I was able to be competitive and try to be the best. It was a nice break after school, especially because school was so boring, and I was bullied a lot. Gaming on the other hand, was exciting and I made friends with people all over the world. I even joined a clan, mine was called Shadow Knights.
But over time gaming went from being a fun hobby I had to the only thing I wanted to do. It pulled me in, so I played more and more. It became my passion and there was never a reason to stop. I would stay up all night and started falling asleep in class. Eventually, I stopped going all together. Maybe your story is similar.
Understanding Video Game Addiction
Over 2 billion people play video games worldwide, and the market for video games was estimated to be a $90 billion industry in America in 2020. The average gamer plays for about 6 hours every week. For most players of all ages, playing video games is a fun pastime: a way to relax, connect with friends, and enjoy a challenge. Unfortunately, for some players, a video game hobby can escalate into an addictive disorder which takes over their lives.
In recent years, the smartphone has surpassed the computer and the console as the most common gaming device. Video games are now available on apps and social media. Furthermore, massively multiplayer online role-playing games continue to be immensely popular. Every day, games like League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Fortnite, Final Fantasy, and The Elder Scrolls Online draw millions of players into their virtual worlds. About 160 million Americans play MMORPGs and other internet-based games every day.
Like all good things, videos games are best in moderation. Adults and children alike can develop unhealthy, obsessive relationships with video games that they love.
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Does Gaming Stimulate Your Core Need To Think And Behave Creatively
Great!
Theres certainly nothing wrong with creativity, but you might be able to break away from the games more by mixing things up. Try finding another creative outlet that involves movement or nature.
This may include drawing, dancing, singing, writing, or even just walking a lot and taking in the world.
What is something you loved doing when you were a kid?
If youve been addicted to games for a while, you may find these activities more bland at first than they used to be. Especially in comparison to your favorite games.
But the interesting thing about nearly all creative activities is that they get more fascinating and fun the more you do them.
Keep at it past the initial learning curve. Suffer the pain of the first few days of digging into a new type of creative project and watch how it suddenly connects emotionally and takes you away into a whole new rabbit hole.
Recognize And Admit Your Video Game Addiction
Youre here, so youve already accomplished a huge first step towards bringing balance back to your life.
That first step is self awareness and self honesty.
And so youre already much more likely to beat your video game addiction than someone who is living in denial.
So give yourself a pat on the back for this one!
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Mistake #: Allowing Just One More Level
When asked to shut off the video-game system, most children rarely obey without first trying to prolong their play. Invariably they respond with a plea for just one more level or more time to defeat the current villain. As a result, many parents end up allowing their child to spend much more time playing video games than they intended.
As one recovering video-game addict said, “If you say you intend to restrict the amount of time a child spends, you better ask yourself whether you can really do it. Kids are very good at pushing and pushing for more time.”
Is There A Test Or Self
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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The Brains Reward System
Your motivation to either commit or quit harmful acts is tied to the biological makeup of your brain and your brains reward system. This system is an intricate network of neurotransmitters that are critical to human survival. Your self-control circuit is comprised of: 1. the brain systems that drive you to seek out things that bring you pleasure and, 2. the prefrontal cortex , which applies the brakes when youre about to engage in risky behavior.
In the addicted brain, the underactive PFC can create an imbalance in the reward system and cause you to lose control over your behavior. When this happens, youre more likely to fall victim to your cravings. Having low activity in the PFC often results in impulse control problems and poor internal supervision.
Adhd And Video Game Addiction
Many individuals with ADHD, who can barely spend ten minutes doing mundane tasks such as paying bills or preparing their taxes, can easily lose themselves for hours on end playing video games. The stimulation, novelty, and excitement grabs and maintains their interest. Without these stimuli, they can be apathetic, fatigued, or spacey.
A recent study found that gamers with ADHD symptoms may be at a greater risk for developing video game addiction. Up to 23 percent of people who play video games report symptoms of addictive behavior.
If you know someone who cant put down the controller, here are some practical strategies that can help them overcome Video Game Brain:
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How Can I Address A Video Game Addiction
If you know its time to overcome video game addiction or help someone whos struggling with it, there are many resources available to help you get started. There are programs all over the country, as well as in-person and online support groups which are dedicated to helping people break free from addiction to video games.
The first step to ending video game addiction is to put the controller down and step away. This can be difficult, which is why many video game addicts made a successful recovery only when they discard their gaming equipment or go away on a wilderness retreat. A severe problem with video games might require drastic solutions. A video game should not be the center of anyones life, but if it is, there is hope for getting unshackled from the screen.
- About
Destiny Bezrutczyk is a Digital Content Writer from west Iowa. She earned a Bachelors in English Language and Literature from Texas Tech University. After working as a freelance script and blog writer, she began writing content for tech startups. Maintaining a passion for words, she took on a variety of projects where her writing could help people .
Clinically Reviewed:
Theresa Parisi
- About
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Establishing A Healthier Routine
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Shift Games To Another Device
Finally, I was strong enough to delete the games from my phone. Earlier, I couldnt even think about not playing the games but now I was ready to delete them.
But thats not it. Dont do it yet. First, bring out a change. Switch your gaming experience. If its the smartphone you play on, switch to a tablet or use a software like blue stacks and start playing on your PC/laptop. Why? You must trick your brain. You shouldnt stop playing immediately but switch the device.
Do You Have A Problem With Gambling
There are many terms that are used to describe gambling problems, including “problem,””at risk,””compulsive,””disordered,” and “pathological.”1
The American Psychiatric Association uses the term “gambling disorder,” in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to describe the most severe form of gambling problems. Keep in mind, however, that individual experiences with gambling can differ wildly from person to person.
According to the Manual, a gambling disorder is characterized by:
- A preoccupation with gambling
- The perceived inability to cut back or control one’s gambling
- Irritability or restlessness when one tries to cut back or stop gambling
- Risking more money to reach the same levels of excitement as before
- Gambling to escape problems or depression
- “Chasing” gambling losses with more gambling to try to make up for them
- Risking or losing jobs or relationships because of gambling
- Relying on others for the financial needs caused by gambling
If you’re experiencing any or all of the above to any degree, it’s likely that you don’t have a normal relationship with gambling. You don’t need to be completely out of control in order to have a problem with gambling.2 In fact, problem gambling is any kind of behavior that disrupts your life, regardless of how much you gamble or how much money is at stake.
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Escaping From Real Life Problems
Life is difficult and can include a fair share of suffering. Its filled with setbacks that make it so our progress isnt always apparent. We shoulder neverending responsibilities and even when we succeed, we often gain even more tasks to complete. There are also boring moments that feel like grinding, when in reality, were just trying to ensure basic necessities. Oftentimes, we may feel as if were not progressing at all and without clear goals, we can lose sight of what to do next. This is where games come in.
Games are different. Your progress is always visible, whether through levels or trophies. Games can start off difficult, but its much easier to get better at gaming than at life. Theres always another mission, another objective, another achievement to work toward which gives you the illusion of progress. It gives us satisfaction and a sense of achievement that dulls our need to improve in our daily lives.
Once you understand these differences, it becomes obvious how easily we can succumb to gaming, especially when our lives suck. What’s most important to keep in mind however, is that gaming almost never solves our issues. When ignored, these issues usually get worse. We cant escape them forever and when we wake up from the trance gaming puts us in, things end up being worse than they were yesterday.
The bottom line is, the more we ignore real-life issues, the bigger they get.
This is probably the most common reason why we get addicted to gaming.
Hand Over Control Of Your Money
Ask a close family member to handle your money. If you do not have money on your person, you will be less apt to impulsively gamble money away. It will be hard, but it is an important step in your recovery. Also, do not allow yourself access to ATM or credit cards. Just keep a small amount of cash with you, so you cannot spend the money gambling.
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A Few Examples Of How Our Software Can Help:
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.
Setting Limits On Your Access To Games
Warning: Setting appropriate limits can help prevent you from developing a full-blown addiction. However, if youre severely addicted to gaming, you may need to quit playing games altogether.XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source
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