Video game addiction seems to be a rising trend in our society. As games have become more complex, interesting, and connected, gamers spend increasing amounts of time devoted to their activity. For most, video games are a fun and reasonable activity. However, some gamers become addicted to playing, often devoting hours-on-end everyday to their gaming habit. Read on and learn how to stop a video game addiction.

• Identify an addiction vs healthy game play

• If you play more than 5 hours a day, every day, you probably have an addiction

• Forcibly limit your amount of time per day, i.e. have someone monitor and limit your game play

• Remove all games from your house

• Find a social outlet to replace gaming activities

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

Video games can be a fun outlet, and even help with skills like concentration and hand-eye coordination.http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0528_030528_videogames.html However, for some, video games can become addictive. If you suspect that yourself or someone close to you has a video game addiction, read on for some clues on how to determine an addiction and some ways to stop it. You should also consult a doctor or psychologist for professional help.

This video is entitled “Game Over” and talks to gamers about video game addiction. It looks at how games have hurt relationships and how games can take over a person's life.

There are many underlying causes for video game addiction. Sometimes it is linked to problems in personal life: trouble with social relationships, lack of self-confidence, failure at work or school, or depression.http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/17694.shtml Other times, a video game addiction simply grows from an enjoyment of gaming and a desire to do well.

Some video games, such as the popular World of Warcraft (WOW) by Blizzard Entertainment, can tap into addictive properties.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/53038/world_of_warcraft_good_clean_fun_or_pg2_pg2.html?cat=19 WOW is a massive multi-player online game based on a Tolkien-like fantasy world of elves, goblins, dragons, and orcs. WOW has an estimated 11 million gamers.http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/ Addiction to the game may come from it's multi-player competitive nature, the need to do better than others.http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/17694.shtml Also, WOW becomes a social experience, chatting and cooperating with other players, and becomes a replacement for real-life social contact. WOW also features addictive properties like leveling up, a non-stop stream of quests, and never-ending storyline. Players are constantly faced with a game that they have to keep playing because they never feel like they truly win.

That's not to say that WOW is intentionally addictive. It just happens to become addictive for a certain group of gamers. Many gamers that can become addicted to a game like WOW can become addicted to video gaming in general.http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun. It's important to be able to identify an addiction and then take steps to eliminate it.

There are several ways to approach a video game addiction. The most common methods of treatment are detox, treating underlying problems, and finding enjoyable outlets outside gaming. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/17694.shtml You should talk to a doctor or therapist for advice and help on stopping a video game addiction.

Video game detox involves removing the game or all games from the environment. Some gamers are addicted to only one game or one type of game, while others have a general video game addiction. Removing a game from the environment means removing any consoles like Wii, Xbox, or Playstation and deleting any game software on the computer. On-line games can also be blocked through the software on a router.

Treating underlying problems to video game addiction is a much more difficult task. It means figuring out why a person may have a need to substitute virtual worlds for the real one. Underlying problems include shyness, social anxiety, self-confidence problems, depression, and health issues. Oftentimes, a person can not diagnose an underlying problem themselves, and should seek the help of family, friends, and professionals.

Sometimes video game addiction starts because real life is uninteresting or boring. A person can add real-life activities to their schedule, which may help drive out the need to spend so many hours gaming.http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/coping-with-video-game-addiction/ The best activities are social ones, spending time with family and friends. For example, join a bowling league, become part of a running group, participate in a community garden, or take cooking classes.

If World of Warcraft has become World of Warcrack or Solitaire has become solitary confinement, you can stop your video game addiction. The real world is out there and it can be more exciting than any game of bits and pixels.

A classic addiction, whether it be to video games, substance abuse, work, or other things is typically defined as follows:http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun

1. The substance or activity has had a significant negative impact at work, at school, with social relationships, and on personal health.
2. Lack of the substance or activity causes withdrawal symptoms: irritability, depression, and/or mood swings

Video game addicts can feel a “high” while playing. Gamers come back to games because they enjoy it and it provides an exciting outlet to an otherwise boring life. Gaming can also be rewarding, such as finding a treasure, leveling up to a new character class, or winning a quest.

Here are the common signs of video game addiction:http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/17694.shtml

1. Excessive playing: 5 hours or more per day
2. Health issues from gaming: Gaining/losing weight, loss of sleep
3. Strained relationships: The time spent gaming severely diminishes human relationships
4. Pervasive thoughts: Even when not gaming, you constantly think about it, and becomes a part of conversation
5. Work or school performance problems: You play at school or work and aren't doing the minimum to succeed.
6. Social avoidance: You shun actual human contact to preferring in-game relationships