Overcoming Gaming Addiction: A Path to Recovery and a New Life

Getting over any addiction requires a certain degree of self-discipline. You have to make yourself stop. I’ve personally struggled with the idea of gaming addiction, but my experiences with games during high school and even now have been more about escapism—a controlled form of relief from the pressures of everyday life. While games allowed me complete control over character actions without risking real consequences, it provided an illusion of power and control, something that’s hard to come by in daily life. However, I’ve since learned that escapism can turn into addiction when not managed properly.

Recognizing the Signs and Taking Control

The first step to curing an addiction is to admit you have a problem. Next, start considering how you can take control of the addiction. Do you play too much or too often? Start by limiting how many hours you play, then gradually cut back on how often you play. While it’s essential to recognize that addiction doesn’t always mean you have to get rid of the habit completely, the key is to control it rather than letting it control you. This is especially important if the addiction is affecting your ability to interact with society.

Managing Time and Attitude

Time Management: People who are addicted often lose track of time while playing games. Start setting timers to help you stick to a playing schedule. If you find yourself playing for 8 hours a day, constantly losing track of time, causing you to run late for something or lose several hours of sleep, set a timer for hour increments. This will help you keep better track of how long you play so you can go to bed at more appropriate times.

Attitude Problems: Do you get mad or annoyed when someone interrupts your gaming session? This is one of the biggest signs of addiction because attitudes only get worse the longer the addiction goes on, leading to behavior that children may exhibit early on and become more pronounced as they age. Learn to pause the game if you can or let the person know you need a few minutes to reach a stopping point. Maintaining your cool is essential in these situations.

Improving Lifestyle Habits

Unhealthy lifestyle habits often accompany addiction, leading to issues like snacking instead of eating full meals, drinking only high caffeine beverages, or rarely getting up to use the bathroom. None of these behaviors are worth risking your health for the sake of a game. Remember, the goal is to enjoy life now and in the future. Any game is not worth putting your health at risk for unlimited playtime.

Playing on a Whim

“I got five minutes that’s enough time to play something.” This is a common trap for many gamers. However, it’s important not to let this happen every time you think you have "enough time." This is different from point 1 because this applies to when you "have time" but not actually enough time. Breaks at work, waiting for a bus, or even standing in line are all times when people might be tempted to whip out their devices. But remember, people may start to think you’re addicted if you’re constantly playing on the go. Moreover, not paying attention can lead to accidents or hold others up in lines or crowded areas.

My Personal Journey

I’ve been a lifelong hardcore gamer since about the age of 5, but I wouldn’t say it’s ever gotten so bad it was an "addiction" for me. While I was young, I didn’t skip school or stay up all night to play games. As I got older, I didn’t skip work or spend every cent I made on new consoles or games. And now that I have a family to care for, I definitely don’t get to spend several hours a day playing whatever I want like I used to. The key is that I’m able to control myself when it comes to when and how I play games.

My family needs to eat, and between a family and a full-time job, sometimes getting enough sleep is a priority. I’ve learned to respect these boundaries and to make time for meaningful activities that aren’t just screen time. It’s about finding a balance that works for your life and ensuring that your addiction doesn’t overshadow other important aspects of your life.