How do I get rid of a gaming addiction?

[Michael]

I am 13, and a gamer. Like most boys; however, I have a bit of a problem. Just to put this in to perspective I will describe my current situation/lifestyle: I get up and do last nights homework, eat, go to school, get home and play for the rest of the night (school day). Weekends: Get up, play for about 6 hours, eat, then play until 1-4 in the morning. I know, it is terrible, but its the truth. I have at least come to the conclusion that I am addicted, but I need to know how to solve it. Sorry if his sounds rude, but I don't want the usual answers like reduce time and put a timer on it. I have already taken many precautions to help me rid of this.( Uninstalled all games from my computer except for three, I don't want to full out quit, I still like doing it, it just is controlling my life at the moment; I am selling my Xbox as it is just a waste of money at the moment, and later down the road I might have to sell my gaming computer and get just a normal laptop to quench the urges or at least make me unable to act upon them). I do pretty well in school. I am taking two advanced classes( math and french, because those are the only ones offered in my school). But I have noticed my grades have slipped a point or two, I still have a 4.0 GPA, but that is basically all I have at the moment, because all of my "achievements" have been in the virtual world. Plus, my family doesn't know me, and I don't know my family because of the gaming. It is like talking to a stranger every day, with 2 second conversations that start and end with hello. Basically, the questions I need answered are:

1. How do I stop being addicted to gaming but still game, as I like it as a hobby, but it is controlling my life at the moment

2. How do I become social again? I have lost all of my knowledge with communicating with other people in the flesh, when it isn't gaming related, I usually don't join the conversation. I don't want to be like that. I am a huge computer nerd, I build computers, want to become a PC repairman/builder, and those are my interests. (I forgot to mention that I do fighting; going to karate tournaments and sparring)

3. How do I avoid becoming addicted again if I can ever become a non-addict?


Huge thanks to anyone that takes the time to read this and save a kids future/life

[Mike]

All I can say is, A) you must go to stupid school cause if what you say is accurate, there's no way that's true unless your schools a piece of you know what B) the only way to get rid of it is simple. Just ask your parents to take it away from you, see I was just like you I was a amazing PC player who played modern warfare 2 and black ops everyday and would go 200-8 every match but my dad came and took my computer so now it's been 2 years and I'm free of the addiction there you go... Psh my schools hard as shit and I'm struggling to keep a 3.4

[Tyler]

okay your 13 right? so just ask your parents to take away your gaming stuff until u know you can play it with out going all out on it. also for the social life your 13 and still in school trust me you have a social life and basicly all it comes down to is if you really wana stop the gaming if you do you will do whatever it takes to stop it and if u think about wanting to game again just remember all bad things that came along with the gaming and how it effected your life

[Amrit]

Obviously, you're in a tough situation. Now, I'm a 14 year old GIRL so I might not be able to relate as well. Although, my brother was insanely addicted to Call Of Duty. Every time I walked into his room, he was on his Mac-book. Okay, I know what you're thinking, just get cut the story and get to the answer! Well, here it is...the solution to your problem:

1.

-find another hobby (join guitar, a sport, study etc.)

-get some one to witness you (have some one watch you to make sure you don't play video games, wear a razor, buzzer etc.)

-make a schedule and STICK WITH IT! Your complaining about not being able to follow a time table when you're actually capable of it.. in fact, work on this, planning goals and sticking to it until you achieve it.

2.

If you want to become social, then BECOME SOCIAL! Create a Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr Twitter etc.
Get out there more, join clubs and try to grab attention.
Most importantly, hang out with your friends, talk to them more and get "close."

3.

Repeat everything told on here.
You need all the help you can get.

[?]

Ignore Mike, he sounds pretty slow. I had a 4.0 and gamed maybe 20 hours a week, then up to 95 when I worked for EA Games. Try just cutting your game time in half, or one third. Or, do what I do: play two games a month, and either beat them, or move on.

If there's a game like WOW or Call of Duty Deathmatch that never ends, play it once a week. The other days, play Mario Bros or Bioshock or something, for no more than 2 or 3 hours a day. If you're expecting daddy to come rescue you from your addictions, you'll be waiting for daddy your whole life. you are the instrument of your change.