This article was co-authored by Lauren Urban, LCSW. Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with over 13 years of therapy experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.
There are 24 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Playing video games casually can be a great way to unwind and have fun. But if you’re so fixated on gaming that it feels like it’s taking over your life, you may have a video game addiction. In this helpful guide, we'll share actionable strategies for how to stop a video game addiction, as well as ways to prevent one from forming. We'll also include expert advice for how to cope with a gaming addiction in a healthy way from holistic life coach Wes Pinkston and clinical psychologist Lauren Urban, LCSW.
Stopping a Gaming Addiction
- Establish gaming time limits with alarms or by having someone remind you to stop.
- Find new activities – like reading, exercise, or a hobby – to stave off boredom.
- Treat the stress or health condition causing you to game for distraction or comfort.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs it okay to relapse?Lauren Urban, LCSWLauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with over 13 years of therapy experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.
Licensed PsychotherapistA really common misconception about addiction treatment is that relapses are bad. This isn't the case! When you're recovering from any kind of addiction, relapsing is normal and expected—it's not considered a catastrophic event. -
QuestionHow do I stop gaming, even if my friends force me to do so?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerTell your friends that you are trying to stop gaming. Ask them to respect your wishes and not try to pressure you into playing games. If they keep putting pressure on you, let them know that you won't be able to spend time with them unless they respect your decision. -
QuestionHow do I stop myself from playing games as an 11-year-old kid, as the computer is in front of my study table so I keep wanting to play it?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerExplain to your parents that you want to keep yourself from playing, but the computer is distracting you. They might be able to help you set up a study space in a better location or move the computer. They can also help you install programs on the computer that block you from playing games during your study time, such as Time Boss.
Video
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Tips
Tips from our Readers
- Remind yourself that gaming isn't the only thing (or the best thing) that you have in your life. Think about all the friends, family members, passions, and hobbies that make your life great, too!
- Incorporate other activities into your gaming time, too. For example, for every half hour of gaming, get up and exercise for at least 15 minutes.
- Try to have a rule to never stay up gaming overnight.
Warnings
- While anyone can become addicted to video games, you may be more at risk if you’re under 25 or have other mental health conditions.[33]Thanks
- In addition to interfering with your relationships, school, and work, a video game addiction can have a real impact on your physical health. An untreated gaming addiction could lead to problems such as repetitive stress injuries, obesity, or even seizures due to flashing lights and colors.[34]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/physical-activity-and-exercise-guidelines-for-all-australians
- ↑ Wes Pinkston. Certified Holistic Life Coach. Expert Interview. 18 January 2022.
- ↑ Lauren Urban, LCSW. Licensed Psychotherapist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.
- ↑ https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/Screen-time
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6361300/
- ↑ https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators
- ↑ https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/Screen-time
- ↑ https://childmind.org/article/healthy-limits-on-video-games/
- ↑ Wes Pinkston. Certified Holistic Life Coach. Expert Interview. 18 January 2022.
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm
- ↑ https://mhanational.org/taking-good-care-yourself
- ↑ https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/11/video-games
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6676913/
- ↑ Lauren Urban, LCSW. Licensed Psychotherapist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/therapy-medication/support-groups.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20695685
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-drug-addiction.htm
- ↑ Lauren Urban, LCSW. Licensed Psychotherapist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/video-game-addiction-is-now-a-real-disease-and-what-help-is-available/
- ↑ https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
- ↑ https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/question/gaming-addiction-can-prevent-children-developing
- ↑ https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/132/5/958/31699/Children-Adolescents-and-the-Media
- ↑ Wes Pinkston. Certified Holistic Life Coach. Expert Interview. 18 January 2022.
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460322003562#ab010
- ↑ https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/question/gaming-addiction-can-prevent-children-developing
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/addictions.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6214874/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-addiction/202109/just-how-bad-is-gaming-addiction
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-addiction/202109/just-how-bad-is-gaming-addiction
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-in-older-adults.htm
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563219301153
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/video-game-addiction-is-now-a-real-disease-and-what-help-is-available/
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563219301153
About This Article
Ending a video game addiction can be really hard, but don't feel like you have to do it all at once. Instead, try gradually reducing the amount of time you play each week. For example, start with 20 hours a week, then go to 18 hours, 16 hours, and so on until you’re happy with the amount of time you game. Try to spend your extra free time doing more productive things you enjoy, like reading, playing sports, or learning a musical instrument. Make sure you finish your other commitments, like school work and chores, before you play games, which will stop your gaming from interfering with other parts of your life. For more tips, including how to reward yourself for achievements without playing video games, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"This really helped with my gaming addiction. Before I used to play games on my console or my PC for almost 10-12 hours straight but after reading this, I have reduced my screen time drastically. My screen time now is at most 2 hours or less! Very nice."..." more