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Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

#41

Post by VerminOctopus1 »

That “flow state” you describe is honestly the thing I seek out most when playing games. It’s hard to find a game that generates the feeling for me, but once I do find one, I’m in heaven. The most recent game that managed to do this for me was Elden Ring, and I love it for that.

There is a fine line between addiction and simply enjoying a hobby. You need to identify where that is. We have a finite amount of time to work with in our lives, and how you allocate that is up to you. Once your hobbies start infringing on things you feel you should be prioritizing (e.g. friends, family, career), it’s time to reevaluate how much time you spend with that hobby. It’s entirely possible to have a healthy relationship with video games while still keeping up with your other obligations, you just need to be cognizant of your time.

Re: Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

#43

Post by bentcorner »

Personally I've blocked reddit on my pihole when I'm working and want to force myself to not get distracted (e.g., it's too easy to "just check it for a minute" while waiting for something to build or download, etc.). Of course I'm here, but I find HN less addictive and tend to waste less time here.

You may find doing something similar - block the main domain for your game at your router. Of course it's easy to undo but it's yet another check that you place against yourself so you don't revert to old behaviors.

If you find yourself getting into the same habits but playing/doing something else instead you should think about what is causing you to get into those habits. Maybe talk to a therapist or someone else in your life for help.

Re: Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

#44

Post by hombre_fatal »

I cold-turkey quit multiplayer games in my late 20s because I just can't control myself. I think it's the only real option in this case.

Ideally you can find other things that bring you fulfillment which is easier said than done. I discovered that I could completely ween off gaming and Netflix by cycling between audiobooks and podcasts while I go for a walk or run. Sometimes I'll be gone for hours, and I'm quite happy with the habit because every part of it works towards my goals in life: learning new things and staying in shape. Meanwhile gaming worked against all my life ambitions: sitting for hours, credentializing in a system that brings me no lasting fulfillment.

Your post reminds me of what I went through when I decided to quit multiplayer gaming. After a few months I started asking myself if I could just do it a little bit instead of letting it consume me. But I think it was just my addicted side trying to justify giving it another shot. You might be doing that here.

Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

#45

Post by RobertRoberts »

I have had this issue. I found a game and played straight for a month, almost all day and I wasted so much time and lost opportunities that I sold all my in game resources and did what you did, canceled and uninstalled everything.

I was good until a couple weeks ago. (I had almost 10 years of staying away) And I have found my self control is greatly enhanced, but also maybe because I truly care more about time with my wife and family. I have had a few late nights where I over did it, but I am very close to uninstalling it again because of this.

I am a big believer in "I am the problem" viewpoint, so if it's not a game it will be something else, and I need to change me, not the activity. I think this applies to all inherently non-destructive activities that people get addicted to. (ie, watching tv isn't destructive a little at a time, but binge watching for days straight is...)

Re: Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

#47

Post by freedomben »

superkuh wrote: post #4

> Gambling disorder is the only behavioral addiction (as opposed to substance use) identified in DSM-5. There is no such thing as video game addition. Video games do not directly hijack the substrates your brain uses for calculating motivation and interest. It's just another stimuli coming in through your normal senses. There is nothing magical, good or bad, about stimuli on screens.

I usually try to avoid describing speech as "dangerous" or "toxic" but in this case I think this is dangerous as it's a perfect fit for confirmation bias for someone struggling with video game addiction who wants it not to be true (I know from experience). That said, I encourage it's widespread dissemination because it's an important discussion. Upvoting to try to prevent this thread from becoming dead.

Using the DSM-5 as the only source is quite risky. Consider how they described homosexuality at times in the past.

Video games are absolutely magical! The human senses/brain system evolved to fit a very particular world with certain limitations, none of which exist in a video game world. You can get so deeply into the video game world that you ignore and are even unaware of basic needs like hunger. In video games your senses can become supercharged. You can obtain god-like powers that humans have dreamed of probably since the dawn of time (invincibility, flight, etc). A human brain that evolved with a basic dopamine-based reward center can easily be tricked/manipulated to crank out way too much, which is (at a very simple level) how drugs and other addictions work.

Honest question: do you think there is such a thing as sex addiction?

Re: Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

#48

Post by A4ET8a8uTh0 »

I can only recount my experience with FFXI, which in its original form was designed to be a tremendous time sink. It was hard an unforgiving and the amount time spent there was measured in years for me. I stopped when I noticed I basically cut off just about everything else in my life and I started to call in sick to camp specific mobs.

It is a different kind of addiction. It is psychological and, in a sense, a lot harder to break as the social component keeps you there.

What worked for me is just realizing that I can't go on like this forever and a cut off was necessary. I am not sure it is healthy, but I still participate in some events for other MMO type games ( races in POE for example ). It is hard, competitive and since I am not a top player, I end up satisfying my jonesing for a while. I guess I like punishment.

That said, the older I get, the more I see games as a distraction. I don't think it is a waste, as I do remember that distraction got me through some tough moments in life, but.. there is a time and place for everything.

In short, I can't really give a generic advice. People are different. See what works for you.

As an anecdote, I logged into my old FFXI account last year out of boredom. It was no longer the same. All the friends have moved on, difficulty and system changed beyond what I found acceptable; it was a nostalgia trip. I played for a week or so and I never renewed since.

Re: Ask HN: How do you avoid video game addiction?

#50

Post by skandl »

You should check out Gabor Mate (there are many good interviews on youtube) to understand the nature of addicting, especially as it pertains to things beyond drugs and alcohol. The high level summary is that addiction is usually less about the specific vice than it is a tool that helps you disconnect and find relief from inner turmoil and/or anxiety. The best thing you can do is to let yourself become open and curious about yourself and what you're going through from a holistic point of view, and then think about how you want to heal.
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