How Do You Quit Gaming?

Lwen87n on 30/09/2018 - 19:08
Last edited 04/10/2018 - 10:51

I spent too much time on PC gaming. i can't concentrate on anything else. My mind just can't get out of gaming. I been playing PC games since i was 8 years old. Now I am 31 years old and yes, definitely got more important stuffs to do.

How do you quit gaming and not to think about it? any experiences to share?

Today I just deleted all my games, well, that's all i know for now.

Cheers

Update:

Guys and Girls, I would like to say BIG THANKS for more than Literally hundreds of suggestions / advices.
I been watching OzB for 3 years and this is my first post. You guys and girls been giving lots of constructive, positive and helpful suggestions / advices! God I love this uplifting OzB community!
I am now also been using an apps called Cold turkey blocker for self time management as suggested. Best 22 AUD ever spent so far lol

BIG THANKS! :D

Gaming

Comments

  • MementoMori on 01/10/2018 - 10:56

    I found I simply grew out of it at around age 40. Had been playing since 7.

  • leeweesquee on 01/10/2018 - 11:21

    You already answered your own question on your OP. more important stuff to think about. Remember that.

  • BuyoTheCat on 01/10/2018 - 11:38

    You should find something else to do to fill the time. If you are doing something else, you wont be playing games. one step at a time.
    deleting games is a good start. Keep at it.

  • Eevee on 01/10/2018 - 11:46
    +3

    I'm kind of in the same boat. Played games since I was young and now it's simply a habit to pass time and I didn't recognise this until much later in life.

    I think recognising that you sometimes play games out of habit instead of actually wanting to play is important. When you realise that you play games and they don't make you happy or you aren't having fun, then ask yourself why are you doing this?

    This is how I personally feel. Just playing games for the sake of it when really afterwards I felt empty and disappointed.

    Uninstalling is a good step. Hopefully you aren't at the point where you disregard your health (like not eating) and being addicted too much and essentially glued to the monitor. I'd try to find other hobbies and things you might enjoy. I'd google a bunch of ideas or look at your past and see what things you used to enjoy doing besides gaming.

    Then I'd try to balance out everything. You can still game a bit, but put in some variety in there and do other things as well.

  • kaleidoscope on 01/10/2018 - 12:00

    Spend some time finding root cause and address it. Sounds too easy but its not. Spending too much time on anything is a sign you don’t have anything better to do or you’re too bored doing everything else.

    A lifestyle change can trigger a change of behaviour, pick up a different hobby and occupy yourself with other tasks that seemed more worthy to you.

    If you’re into multiplay gaming such as pubg, dota, fps or rpg games it will be tough to get rid of them so clearly a lifestyle change can fix that. (Telling this because I was once .. cod4, dota2 and clash royale)

    I’ve never had habbit of waking up early all my life and always been a late sleeper (sometimes woken up till 2-3 am on weekdays). I realised the cause is tied to too many distractions such as youtube, netflix, gaming and other media services that you keep watching eventhough you dont need them. 2 months ago I forced myself to sleep early (8-8.30pm) and wake up early around 3-4am. Since then found its very refreshing. (I still use streaming services but i watch only whats needed that can be fitted till 8-8.30). After waking up so early your mind is free and there is no rush and you’ll be more productive. Just an example from my life. For gaming with new schedule i either do that during weekend or as it fits before bed time.

    Regards,

  • Kempe on 01/10/2018 - 13:01
    +2

    Get a girlfriend

    • Danstar on 01/10/2018 - 13:09

      Our replies could be his future timeline LOL |/

  • Danstar on 01/10/2018 - 13:09
    +1

    Have kids

  • steven231 on 01/10/2018 - 13:32

    At first, there will likely be withdrawal like symptoms. But you got to persevere and continue to prevent yourself. You have to find another motivation in order to properly quit gaming. Maybe another hobby that isn't a 'waste of time' perhaps.

  • wanderlei on 01/10/2018 - 13:35
    +1

    Fitness, exercise, sport.

  • Kerjifire on 01/10/2018 - 13:44

    Set some goals to achieve outside of gaming to keep your mind off it. I found that using a Kanban Board with sticky notes really helped me with keeping my mind on my goals. It also gives you a great sense of achievement which will help alleviate those feelings of "what am I doing with myself".

    Outside of your personal goals, try and spend time with friends or better yet make some new friends. Your friends can really help take your mind off things and will help you come off it.

    Good Luck man, it ain't easy :)

  • mko75 on 01/10/2018 - 13:49

    Find things to improve your living. Start a project - build a new garden patch or create a built in wardrobe. Doesn't have to cost the earth since you'll find more time researching how to do it cheaply without compromising quality. Ideally, projects that are outside to enjoy time outside the house. I found that by doing things 'whilst the sun shines' makes me appreciate the weekend days off and now I only want to play games at night time. It's not a complete cut off but it's a start. Also having kids reduced time to game dramatically.

  • athk on 01/10/2018 - 14:23
    +1

    I went to martial arts classes and gym..

    I don't even think about playing a single game anymore…

  • htc on 01/10/2018 - 14:36

    Yes, deleting game is the best strategy, makes it harder for you to access, try to find a new hobby, like reading free kindle books that you probably have accumulated whilst you are on ozbargain, otherwise your mind will convince you to spend the extra time to install the game.

  • Ghost47 on 01/10/2018 - 15:00

    You basically realise to yourself that all that time spent gaming is essentially leisure time that you wasted. You didn't learn anything that could be remotely useful in real life (is your future employer going to want to know what the Mask of Madness in Dota 2 does? the answer is a resounding no, and even if they did ask and you answered enthusiastically they would give you the side eye and then change the subject), you didn't grow, you just stagnated as you sat there playing games enjoying yourself — I mean, you might as well have just sat there beating your meat off to some sort of porno.

    Once you realise this, you learn that instead of wasting money on games you can spend it on books, developing yourself to increase your salary, exercise and just grow more than you would sitting there playing a video game.

    • BigLeviathan on 01/10/2018 - 16:14

      …unless your future employer is Blizzard / Valve…

      • Ghost47 on 01/10/2018 - 16:20

        If that's the case you should dedicate your time to improving or upskilling (eg. drawing, programming, growing your portfolio of video games) to become more employable rather than sitting there playing a video game.

    • belongsinforums on 01/10/2018 - 17:36

      But dotes is free

  • misterpotatomato on 01/10/2018 - 15:09
    +1

    Depending on your personal circumstance, I would say, get a pushbike and start riding places. Just go to somewhere like 99 bikes and get a flat bar road bike.

    Pick somewhere to ride to. The thing with bike riding, is once you ride somewhere, you have to ride home. So you are comitted to doing it.

    Personally, I understand why people get addicted to gaming. I play Rocket League, and when I score, the endorphin hit/sense of accomplishment is immense. Professionally, and as a hobby, I do software development. For me to get the same rush of accomplishment, I legit have to be coding for a day and get some huge feature in.

    If you live near Brisbane I can recommend a good guy in a 99 bikes at Annerley to get you started.

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 16:53

      For me, I felt rewarding after having some good games. but would get mad after some bad games, I start to take gaming too serious

      Thanks for recommend, I do ride a bike casually sometimes. Yep, probably should go out and ride more.

  • mjfreeman7 on 01/10/2018 - 15:20
    +1

    Going cold turkey is a must.

    Do whatever you can to make an irreversible choice to stop gaming. Delete your accounts. Burn your graphics card. Whatever it takes.

    I went through the same process in my late teens (~10 years ago). It sucks when you make the choice, but you get over it.

    My thought process at the time that constantly prevented me from giving it up was - what would I do with the time I spent gaming anyway? It's easy to justify not quitting when you can't think of the answer. But boredom is a good thing and will lead you to other hobbies and interests.

  • DarthAntz on 01/10/2018 - 15:22

    read the book 'the brain that changes itself' by Dr. Norman Doidge. Replace gaming with learning all that you can about yourself. When you get anxious, go for a walk or a run for 10-30 minutes. If you can manage the run/walk every day for a week, you'll start to see time differently and understand how that time spent gaming, you could better spend on yourself.

    The time is best spent on self-study, learning something new. Read as much as you can (books) as your primary detox. Go to the library.

  • DauntingEarth on 01/10/2018 - 15:46
    +2

    My case probably not applicable - when I hit age 25 i suddenly become so bad at games that I love, always losing, then i got discouraged at gaming. I lose everytime I play and eventually I started playing easy mode against bots and got bored of that too.

    • BigLeviathan on 01/10/2018 - 16:11

      Oh…I might have a disease, I've been using easy mode since atari era…

      • DauntingEarth on 01/10/2018 - 18:09

        Disability discrimination against people with disability to play games Australia says no

    • skazclaw on 02/10/2018 - 16:39

      lmao. I know these feels

  • BigLeviathan on 01/10/2018 - 16:09

    How about help your family members who have kids to look after their kids, so that they can enjoy playing games or have a sleep-in on the weekend?

    Do a volunteer work that helps people with disability to play games

  • Illian on 01/10/2018 - 16:09
    -3

    Most of the posted advice is complete crap. Gaming isn't the problem, you are the problem. If you replace it with something else you will develop the same issues with that. What you need to do is work on yourself, first step is talking to someone whose profession it is to help you with your issues of apparent addiction, implementing their advice, and learning moderation.

    • John Kimble on 01/10/2018 - 16:15
      +1

      Guns don't kill people, people kill people?

  • DoddLad101 on 01/10/2018 - 16:40

    Getting a full time job will do it, I still love PC gaming but don't have much time for it nowadays.

  • AMLagonda on 01/10/2018 - 17:00

    Im an old PC gamer, im in remission as there are no good games anymore, But I dont have farcry 5 yet, then I will be back lol.

    I went to Taekwondo and im now a 3rd dan, its better than gaming.

    But yes family comes first as well….

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 23:47

      Good on you mate :)

  • Tuftsdude on 01/10/2018 - 17:14

    Go cold turkey. Give it a few months and when you try to game again it won't feel the same. I really can't get back into gaming.

    What games do you mostly play? SP, MP or MMO's?

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 17:18

      I solely play World of Warships for the last 3 years. its Multiplayer shooter

      • Tuftsdude on 01/10/2018 - 17:41

        Alright. Those multiplayer shooters are addictive, I use to be hooked on WoW until my account got hacked and Tera Online. When I got busy, went overseas and came back I couldn't get into it. If you like reading try picking up some books to read instead of gaming. Some of my favourite were the John Rain Thrillers by Barry Eisler. Good luck man.

  • belongsinforums on 01/10/2018 - 17:39

    I went overseas and didn't take my pc with me. The urges became less frequent but never truly went away. Definitely helped me to control it better.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2018 - 17:45

    Need to work on finding another passion.

    Transition some of your time into looking for new hobbies. Speak to people, ask what they enjoy doing in their spare time. Assuming it's not obscene or inappropriate, ask if you can get involved/try it out. Most people are going to respond very positively to someone being interested in their hobby. Once you find something that clicks, you simply think about that hobby/activity instead.

    If you don't find something else to enjoy or to work towards, then you are just spending your time Not-gaming, and you are still letting games dictate your schedule, albeit in the negative.

  • AaronRain on 01/10/2018 - 17:45
    +3

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently officially classified Gaming addiction as a mental disorder:

    http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/gaming-addiction…

    The article mentioned:

    "Game Quitters, a huge online support community for gaming addiction, hears from tens of thousands of people a month, according to its founder, Cam Adair."

    So have a look to see if your symptom matches and what help are available.

  • The Informer on 01/10/2018 - 18:22
    +1

    I quit because it was controlling my mind out of gaming, I played a bucket ton of league of legends and that game is toxic af, and i get stressed out. My body doesn't like it when I get stressed out, my skin reacts very negatively. I've seen how detrimental it can be to my life, hence, I had to quit. But also, playing league of legends alone was boring af, especially solo que, that game was boring like hhhhhhuhhhhh another game alone with toxic af people. So that made me quit as well.

  • Glittrfist on 01/10/2018 - 18:56
    +7

    Just dedicate yourself fully to the drink. A beer in both hands at most times I find is the best for keeping yourself from chronic masturbation. and gaming.

  • lethalmoney on 01/10/2018 - 19:17
    +2

    I'm willing to take your 1080ti from your gaming pc… don't pay me compensation or anything, just trying to help out.

  • CalmLemons on 01/10/2018 - 19:22
    +1

    You need a child or a business. Or both. Have multiple child, multiple business. Guaranteed solution.

  • Shiny Mew on 01/10/2018 - 19:34

    Get a job and you'll never get time to game.

  • love2buy on 01/10/2018 - 19:48
    +1

    I watch people play games on youtube.

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 23:45

      That's what i do when i am having dinner

  • frostman on 01/10/2018 - 20:00

    Gaming is a hobby, much like people enjoy fishing or hiking, there are people that just cant wait to get home, fire up a game on their flashy system and play peacefully (either multi with friends of single).

    Yes, like other things, it can become addictive and sometimes bordering obsessive compulsive. You don't need to quit your (gaming) hobby as in the same way people need to find an outing to Smoking/Gambling/Drugs which are harmful hobbies.
    Continue playing but with limit.
    I used to be like you, in my mid 20s playing WOW till 4am, Single Player games like Oblivion used to spend 4hrs in a seating.
    Now, I limit to 1hr / night.

  • Ziglez on 01/10/2018 - 20:18
    +3

    Get married and have a kid, no time for gaming.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2018 - 20:29

    I moved from DOTA which is very immediate and responsive with rewards and punishments to Clash of Clans which can be played anytime and slows down drastically and then eventually left gaming. Basically move to a slower game which gets even slower and eventually you may quit. Cold Turkey method did not work for me.

  • BusMan247 on 01/10/2018 - 20:30
    +2

    Just turned 37. Freaking old, though still in decent shape and are healthy and active.
    Have a wife and kid. Will have another kid in a year hopefully.

    Gaming Helps me fill the dead space. Can't go out heaps.. so gaming for me is perfect. Admittedly I have games I've barely touched but I will clock a game when it's like Gears/TLOU/HORIZON quality.

    Definitely don't have time for Indy games.. I even bought a switch.

    But dude life first games second. They can co-exist.

  • T1OOO on 01/10/2018 - 20:36
    +1

    Finish uni. Get a job. Stoped in 1999. UT CTF. Still the best game ever.

  • Plug on 01/10/2018 - 21:36

    Which games? If you play through Origin or Steam you could probably sell your accounts and get some cash.

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 21:41
      +1

      World of Warships. $1000+ spent on that account.

  • stingyashell on 01/10/2018 - 21:42
    +1

    Every since i start focusing alot in work i cut down my gaming time by alot. But everyone is diff so i dont know if it's going to work for you. We probably play diff games. It's so hard to give recommendation because everyone is difff. you just have to find out for urself, maybe take one or two sensible advice from the comments sections and test it out. GL

  • minotaurian on 01/10/2018 - 21:49
    +1

    Play the game, Real Life. This is how one may quit! And get yourself a nag bot… Cough cough, I mean wife… That will surely make you quit.

  • Mugsy on 01/10/2018 - 21:53

    I stopped gaming for a couple of years during my mid 20s… simply put, there were other things I wanted to do and achieve and gaming got in the way. You have to ask yourself that and take action on it.

    The other strategy is to find another addiction… sports, study or sex are the usual culprits I hear.

  • orly on 01/10/2018 - 22:13
    +2

    You're extremely fortunate that your wife has put up with your addiction for so many years. Don't take it for granted, one day, she'll get fed up of being alone and not having a partner around and find another man that will pay attention to her and give her the time that she deserves. Got any pics of her? ;)

  • Cgiclinic on 01/10/2018 - 22:41
    +6

    Hi there, my name is Dr Huu Kim Le, child and adolescent psychiatrist. I was just checking OzB for any good bargains on international flights or the latest deal on tinned tuna.
    Came across this post. Internet Gaming Disorder is my special interest. I interviewed a former eSports player who went cold turkey and how they did it. Video link here:
    https://www.facebook.com/cgiclini/videos/1938899072803324/

    I mainly give information to parents and teachers of teenagers with this problem via my FB live posts (CGI Clinic) and website cgiclinic.com but I agree GameQuitters.com is probably the best forum for an adult gamer trying to quit. Deleting games is just the first step, but be mindful of any past team mates trying to reel you back in, or the latest ship release in the game. Also consider that $1000 spent, that time spent gone and focus on how you would like to use your remaining years on this planet. Good luck!

    Kim

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 23:40
      +1

      Thanks for Sharing the video link Dr Kim.
      Just a quick update, after deleted the games. I went to bed early last night and woke up early today. and been doing modeling on Revit for 10 Hours. Hopefully cold turkey can help me focus.

      • misterpotatomato on 02/10/2018 - 07:46

        Do you enjoy revit and modelling? Do you do any software development?

        I'm a software developer, and heck, if you can change from gaming one day to doing revit for 10 hours the next day, that speaks to your attention span. There's never been a better time to be a software developer. If you're interested let me know and I will send some links through. It can pay dividends in the long run - like making an app on the Play store, or Apple store for instance.

      • Cgiclinic on 03/10/2018 - 21:46

        Keep it up. If you need more encouragement check out the gamequitters free forum. You can also use your story to inspire others.

  • jedimaster on 01/10/2018 - 23:05

    I just gave away my graphics card to my best mate and that stopped me from gaming. Haven't been addicted since bit do miss the Call of Duty single player campaigns.

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 23:44

      I can't give away graphics card right now as Ryzen CPU rely on graphics card. and I still need a good PC to render model :)

  • Kranbone on 01/10/2018 - 23:52

    I quit by not updating my PC. Haven't bought or played anything new in the last 2~3 years.

    • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 23:54

      PC hardwares can last very long though, My previous PC had served me for 8 years.

      • Kranbone on 02/10/2018 - 01:09

        My current hardware is from 2008. I played competitively, very competitively (mainly across source titles). While my PC is still fine the games have been updated to a point where even my configs would struggle to maintain a desired frame rate. Through gaming I met a lot of great friends (many of which are now real life friends). It was also helpful not only to have company with friends who shared common interests but it came at a point where I needed to be frugal (not go out as much, spend less on entertainment).

  • E4xtream on 02/10/2018 - 06:36
    +1

    Good morning, here's my advice.

    1- Knowledge is power. Gaming can be an addiction like any other, and in my life, I have been mildly addicted to gaming before. I think a huge thing that can help is actually learning about the how's and the why's of addiction, and perhaps gaming addiction. You can learn not just from western texts, but also explore eastern philosophy as well (Happiness by Matthieu Ricard is a good place to start). As stated by some earlier, learning the underlying cause (and mechanics) can be a tremendous source of relief, because now you know you're not crazy. Those who suggest going cold-turkey have the right technique, but unless you can fundamentally change how you perceive the world, you will find it much easier to relapse. Remember, the lens through which you view the problem, is the problem.

    2- Focus on others. In the beginning, most people will tell you to focus on yourself - go to the gym, learn a skill, get a hobby - that sort of thing. And while they're right, the problem is that it can be so hard to focus on healthy daily habits for ourselves as we're staving off a fresh addiction. Instead, focus on doing things, and being there for others. Spend more quality time with your girlfriend. Do more of the things you enjoy as a couple. Do things you've never done before with your family and friends. Everyone will recommend at some point that you find a new goal to focus on, how about 'genuinely improving the relationships I have with the people that matter to me'. And the first step, do this by spending at least 30 minutes a day, with someone that matters.

    3- Challenge yourself. You can make use of your social relationships to help you start the process of re-valuing your time. Next step, start using that time to make your life better. To give you a quick framework, there are 7 'intelligences' I've identified in life.
    -Physical Intelligence. This includes physical health, balance, coordination, freedom of movement, illness & recovery.
    -Emotional Intelligence. This includes how you feel about yourself, how you deal with emotions, how much control your emotions & mood swings have over you. You're typical emotional disposition (positive, neutral, cynical). And everything else emotions entail. Generally, you want to be 'in a good place'.
    -Mental Intelligence. Commonly denoted as 'IQ'. This includes your capacity to process thoughts, concepts, theories and hypotheticals. Your ability to focus on a task. Your competence when it comes to solving the many puzzles life throws your way.
    -Spiritual Intelligence. It doesn't necessarily have to be religious, but basically your ability to find meaning in the things you do, and the life you live.
    -Professional Intelligence. How good are you at your job, and how much progress have you made on your career path?
    -Financial Intelligence. We all know at some point we should start planning for the future. And we should actually get things under control now. This dimension of intelligence involves itself with your attitude towards money, and its use.
    -Creative Intelligence. This one combines one or more or all of the previous intelligences to allow you to create unique and original work. This could be your own poetry, song, drawing, painting, woodwork, recipe… what have you. Your capacity to draw abstracts from one little bit of knowledge, to your imagination, and then to realise that vision is one of the most rewarding things to cultivate.

    This post is already long but I hope it gives you a succinct summary of where you can take your life, now that you've freed up a little bit more time. My final advice as you go through this phase is: Be kind to yourself. What comes next is hard, and you will fail. So be kind to yourself most of all, you're the only one you have.

    Kindly.

  • donotuse on 02/10/2018 - 07:05
    +1

    I guess when you grow with it, it stays with you forever.

    Just like smoking, it’s hard to quit.

  • stirlo on 02/10/2018 - 07:26
    +1

    You just need to find a new hobby to fill the time with. I used to game heaps but then I started rock climbing and going camping on weekends and it just left no time for games. After a few months I realised I wasn’t even enjoying gaming that much and my new hobby was way more fulfilling and healthy. I haven’t looked back.

  • Mrbean007 on 02/10/2018 - 07:34

    Was a big gamer back in the day untill I met Ozbargain. :/

  • gunnny on 02/10/2018 - 09:22
    +1

    I suggest you pick up a second job. You will feel less exhausted after the second job, will be more social, and come out financially ahead than the time and effort you are likely spending gaming.

  • h4zey on 02/10/2018 - 09:38

    become a pro gamer then you dont have to feel bad anymore

  • Slippage on 02/10/2018 - 10:16

    There is nothing wrong with gaming. It's only an issue if it's preventing you from doing something else (i.e. taking you away from family, sending you into money troubles, can't hold down job, etc), if it is, then it's an addiction for you and you should seek professional help: Psychologist.

    If it's just someone nagging you in the ear saying things like "you should do more with your life" "grow up, children play games", tell them to F off.

    *35 year old gamer with multiple Xbox's, PS4's and a decent gaming PC setup. I only game when the kids are asleep and the wife is reading/studying/watching a show I'm not interested in.

  • Pootie Tang on 02/10/2018 - 10:22

    Become a tester like Tim from employable me.

  • Tightpocket on 02/10/2018 - 10:57

    I really don't get about this gaming addiction thing, I love games, I've been playing them since the 1st Mario Bros but for some reason I never ever play games for more than 3 hours straight, I could be levelling up on the next encounter but if I'm tired I turn it off…it's all in the mind and it's about self control.

    How to get over gaming? my suggestion is don't..why torture yourself? if you're not gaming you probably gonna pick up a new hobby that's equally or more wasteful, gaming moderately and you should be fine.

    If you really do want to shift from gaming, try pick up photography/ videography as its an easy hobby to pick up and relaxing and eventually you'll be wanting a good shot and therefore requires you to travel more and away from your pc.

    • Slippage on 02/10/2018 - 13:35

      People get addicted to different things. If someone was genuinely addicted to gaming (i'd say that most people that claim they are or that their kids are, in fact are not truly addicted), then they need help.

      Try your "it's all in the mind and it's about self control" method on someone with a meth sex addiction.

      • Tightpocket on 02/10/2018 - 14:27

        I know that people do get addicted to all kinds of things but what I don't get is why do you want to put yourself in that position..I don't know much about drug/ meth addictions but I do have a belief that why getting into something that you know you will force yourself to quit later on in life.

        I'm a pretty boring guy I know, I don't do smoke, drink, drug because before I start doing things I always ask myself "What do I get out of this and at what cost? specially when I know it's a negative things.

        My friends have endlessly offered me smoke, drinks, drugs..saying you won't get addicted if you take it once..I said why bother? might as well not try it and therefore I never know what it feels like and won't go looking for one if I do like it.

        My point is with gaming addiction, it should be relatively easy to get rid off if you want to. Compared to substance addiction, gaming is all in the mind, you want to be the best, you want to level up quickly, you want 100 percents everything… you basically want the bragging right and is it really so hard to not want those and just enjoy the game?

        • orly on 02/10/2018 - 15:19
          +1

          Don't judge others. Addictions come in all shapes and forms.

  • RocketSwitch on 02/10/2018 - 11:26
    +2

    Quitting gaming is not the solution, because the problem isn't gaming.

    You're just hiding the root cause.

    How about office jobs for example? We stare at the computer screen for 7 hours a day. Surely, that's not healthy? Right? Work isn't classified as an addiction though, because it's the modern world's slave reality.

    What I am saying is, what's the difference between working 7 hours a day eyes glued to a computer and gaming?

    Nothing. One is more harmful to your health.

    My point is. Do everything in life, but if you're spending too much time on something. Stop. Change it up. Do something else.

    Just have a routine:

    Wake up / have coffee / go to work / come home / eat dinner / play games / go for a walk / have quality time with x / read something / watch a movie / wind down / sleep

    Easier said than done.

  • lainey13 on 02/10/2018 - 12:09

    Get some more responsibilities. I'm sure your wife would appreciate you putting in your half of the effort in maintaining your home.

  • kewlaz on 02/10/2018 - 12:27

    Looks like we might have to hold an intervention party.

    • Ghost47 on 02/10/2018 - 13:29
      +2

      Let's make it a LAN party!

  • rave75 on 02/10/2018 - 12:33
    +1

    I was like you (I am 28 now), until work, partner and gym made me busier and now I don't game at all.

  • andyhui01 on 02/10/2018 - 12:56
    +1

    What counts as gaming addiction? Playing more than 5 hours per week or are we talking about playing all the time and not working/studying/going outside.

    • Slippage on 02/10/2018 - 13:38

      This. you need to define it first.

      What I call normal game time, my parents would call obsessive/addiction. I think when it starts affecting other parts of your life, it's a problem.

  • Westcoast111 on 02/10/2018 - 14:23

    Just turn it off.

    • boretentsu on 02/10/2018 - 15:01

      …Like a light switch!

  • plasmoske on 02/10/2018 - 14:32

    Quit gaming when I had a partner. Just didn't have time for games anymore even though I was a pretty hardcore gamer.

    I still game once in a while but that's about it.

    Cooking, gym, partner, activities, work and life. Just don't have time for games.

  • boretentsu on 02/10/2018 - 15:00

    You usually have to have something else to live for. If you don't then I would suggest finding one.

  • BhanuL on 02/10/2018 - 15:20
    +4

    Best of luck mate, I have been where you are now. Had other addictions at other times.

    No one I know now would believe I had an addiction like that if I told anyone nowadays:

    1. You have accepted the problem and you want to do something about it. You are already 90% of the way there.
    2. You need to change your habits somehow - this is a massive issue, find things else to occupy your time.
    3. Exercise can take away a lot of your stress during this period. Walk, run, cycle, go to the gym.
    4. There's professionals to help, don't be afraid to go to a Psychologist and/or Psychiatrist - these people deal with this everyday. Medicare / private health will fund a lot of this.
    5. If your issue is more fundamentally chemical and you require medication - only a psychiatrist can help you initially.
    6. There's plenty of support groups online and offline. Go to them, meet like minded people.
    7. Get help from your friends and family - they will help you go places you never dreamed.
    8. If you fail, in a moment of sanity destroy what causes you addictions. Throw the pc out, or delete the games. Keep doing it every time sanity and reason controls you.
    9. Find ways to help others and causes to support - it will make you feel good about your existence and give you purpose.

    Best of luck mate, you can do great things. Dont let anything destroy you, your life is special too.

  • Blue Cat on 02/10/2018 - 16:11
    +1

    I have the opposite problem - I have the money now to buy all the gaming PC gear I want (and I already bought what I wanted) and video games, but for now all my enjoyment is gone.
    I can't play anything for more than 30 minutes because I get bored. I can't shake off the fact that video games are a waste of time.
    It is ironic because before I had a job I was an avid gamer playing non-stop and always researched latest desktop builds, GPUs, CPUs, which RAM is best, what motherboard is best for me, what are the latest games, game/PC tech reviews etc. but now when I have the money I am disinterested.
    What hurts the most is I spent a lot on my gaming rig and now I am not using it to full potential!
    Basically, a very expensive OzBargain browsing machine.

    Maybe you can give me some tips how to get hooked on video games again? lol

  • Cheapascents on 02/10/2018 - 16:22

    when i started gym, i lost most interest for playing games.

  • centrelink on 02/10/2018 - 16:34
    +1

    Play Pokémon go then go out and socialise at the same time with other people who play it

  • Donaldhump on 02/10/2018 - 16:44

    i got married

    • DarthAntz on 02/10/2018 - 16:54

      ive been gaming a lot more since getting married. it can work the other way

      • Donaldhump on 02/10/2018 - 16:55

        i think since i turned 21 i didn't play games, because they no longer interested me.

        so i actually didn't quit games, i guess i grew out of them

  • HerpinDerp on 02/10/2018 - 17:16
    +2

    I sort of quit in March.

    Easily played 30-40 hours a week.

    Essentially I was dragged out to the gym by a friend. Never went to the gym, always thought I was too weak and didn't want to face the sick kents.

    Regardless, I got hooked. Essentially most of my sparetime was devoted to general health related stuff.

    It's been 6-7 months. Lost a few kg of fat, have gotten pretty strong, way more mobile. I have achieved some personal goals such as muscle ups and get comments about my changed physique.

    For reference I wasn't really fat, mainly skinny fat.

    I have only started coming back to maybe playing a few hours a week with single player, no more raging at MP and grinding the grindy games.

  • jelko on 02/10/2018 - 18:02

    Imagine the looks on a person's face when you tell them that you play games. Then imagine what they think about you. Then imagine (well you probably don't have to imagine) that you'll never get laid while you play games.

    • wen87n on 02/10/2018 - 21:06

      I know, so I don't talk to many people IRL about gaming

  • Twodogs on 02/10/2018 - 18:07
    +1

    Take up bodybuilding/ pumping iron and setting goals diet etc , its very addictive but in a healthy way you tend to go outside more and your pursuits and goals and most importantly your mindset changes ……. as you become more active you tend to like more active hobbies ….. swimming etc and if your single aerobics or gymnastics will put you in the same room as women/men of similar likes ……. learn to surf or even fishing your outdoors away from the Pc/Ps4/xbox etc.

    Tldr : Change your mindset.

    Good luck and well done for trying , thats the hardest step.

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