CromAlinWeb

Sadly today those XBoxes, Pleystations and other gaming equipment are causing gaming addictions for people of all ages, both genders. People stop eating meals because of them, talking in sentences, talking with live people and more.

But fear not! All is not lost. Because as there is help for other addictions, there is help for Internet addicts as well. So let’s jump in with tips for breaking the bad habit of gaming addiction.

Time Out

Begin by seeking helpful resources and advice from your family doctor. He or she may have therapist referrals and information about 12-step recovery programs of all types in your area. If you do not have a 12-step group specifically for helping Internet addicts in recovery, you can adapt nearly any 12-step program to focus around your own addiction. So drop in a couple of groups and check them out.

Plus, gain the help and support of a healthy person or couple of people in the real world to help you, too, if possible. This will help hold you accountable and will encourage you be responsible for your own recovery.

Healthy Alternatives

Since the best way for many to overcome a bad habit is to replace it with a healthier habit, get creative, grab some paper and a pencil and jot down healthier alternatives to being on the Internet like some of these:

• Replace gaming time with moonlighting to afford to get some new clothes and go out on the town with some friends to dinner and a movie.

• Replace gaming time with a list of non-gaming reading to catch up on (no cheats either!!) Don’t forget there are many more types of reading materials out there: political and military books with cool history; self-help, motivational, inspirational and other non-fiction topics; diet and fitness; cookbooks galore; fun fiction; science fiction; business and finance, etc. Explore the world of books again!

• Replace gaming time with fun indoor or outdoor activities: walking through the local park with your hound dog or a neighbor or their dog, etc; riding a bike, exercising at a health club or local gym; enrolling in night classes at a local university or college; volunteering to help others.

Log your days and journal about what you’ve accomplished. What worked well; what didn’t. Be accountable and show your best friend to discuss your recovery plan of action. Revise as needed and continue on.