Computer addiction. How to get rid of gaming and internet addiction?

The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning or come home after a day at work is turn on your computer? Do you feel uncomfortable when you are away from the monitor for more than a couple of hours? When playing a computer game or surfing the Internet, do you lose track of time?

And if someone pulls you away from your screen, do you get incredibly irritated and only think about getting back to your usual activity? Or maybe you haven't left the house in days, and most of that time has been spent in front of the computer? An affirmative answer to any of these questions means that you have developed an internet addiction or gaming addiction.

Causes of internet addiction

Internet addiction - a very new form of pathological behavior that emerged with scientific and technological progress and the development of computer technology.

However, it is rooted in the same pathology that underlies ludomania (gambling addiction) and other well-known addictions.

For an addicted person, the world is divided into two poles: one is a boring and gray reality, from which one wants to get away, and the other is a bright and full of unusual, strong sensations illusory world.

The Internet has succeeded more than anything else in creating such a world.

To some extent, Internet addiction is more dangerous than other types of addictive (addictive) behavior. The fact is that the Internet can replace almost any aspect of real life: communication, work, self-actualization, to some extent household needs, sex, and, given the new technologies, even mutual sex.

And the alternative is often much more vivid and exciting than what is possible in the real world.

And the main thing is that the "Virtushik" thinks that he can realize by himself everything that in real life he may even be afraid to think about. And yes, it's addictive. By what entertainment is preferred by Internet-dependent people, you can understand the reason for their addictive behavior: someone constantly spends time in social networks for communication with virtual friends (most likely, he has problems in real communication), someone endlessly watching videos on YouTube (he lacks thrills), someone spends hours reading news sites (pathologically afraid of falling behind in life) or looking for a new thing in online stores (showing so his shopaholism) or nights on the fly sits on porn sites (there are unrealized needs in sex). And some people play online games all the time....

It is the online computer games that gather the largest number of internet addicts.

A computer game is a virtual worldIn the game, you can turn into someone you will never be in real life. It is this feature that attracts, because many gamers (people who give a lot of time to computer games) can be called losers by real achievements.

In this way, the game compensates for what is lacking in reality.

How to find the cause and get rid of internet addiction?

So what should you do if you discover a loved one has an Internet addiction? Be prepared for a long struggle. What if you yourself suddenly realized that you are addicted to the monitor?

The peculiarity of most addicted people is. they don't realize it.

They believe that there is nothing wrong with them. However, without understanding what is going on, it is almost impossible to help a person. If you have realized that you are addicted to the internet or computer games, you have already done half of the job. How do you do the other half and get rid of the addiction?

Unfortunately, Internet addiction is very different from smoking and similar habits, and therefore cannot be overcome by willpower alone. As a rule, the Internet is a surrogate substitute for something important in real life, and simply giving it up will not solve the problem. After all addiction in this case is a consequence.

It is necessary to find the reason, the part of yourself that does not have the opportunity to be realized in reality and is realized on the Internet.

To do this, you should turn to a professional psychologist. With his help, you will have to go the hard way and learn to manifest all your qualities and needs in real life, using the Internet not as a substitute, but as a pleasant addition to it (as it should be). In addition, it will be good to organize your leisure time in such a way as to be online as little as possible: go for walks, enroll in a sports section, creative circle or interesting courses, meet with friends more often.

If someone close to you suffers from addiction, you will have to be patient. It is not uncommon for children and teenagers to go into the virtual world of online games. If your son or daughter sits for hours at the monitor, you should not just ban and "wean" from the computer! Not being able to realize their addiction at home, the teenager will look for ways to do it elsewhere, secretly from you, often at the expense of studies. It is not necessary to bring it to this point. It is better to be creative and organize your child's leisure time in a new way.

A very good way to get a person out of an addiction is to complete change of scenery.

It is especially good if the person needs to move a lot and solve non-trivial tasks. Such a change of scenery can be, for example, a hiking trip for a couple or three days, or a trip to another city. A lot of impressions are guaranteed! But do not relax - this is just the first step on a long journey. After that new forms of leisure activities should be proposedIf possible, as far away from the Internet as possible, and it is very desirable that new activities raise self-esteem and help you feel more confident.

And it is important to do it "on the spot", while the person is in euphoria from new impressions and has not had time to remember about the game. For example, after a hike, a person may calmly accept the offer to enroll in a sports section (if you offer this in a normal environment, you will be rejected or ignored).

But even the most zealous actions can be in vain if you do them blindly, without understanding the reasons. Consult a psychologist - he will tell you what features of behavior to pay attention to, how to identify the key problem and how exactly to push your loved one to solve it in reality, not in an illusory game.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Internet addiction and how is it dangerous?
   Internet addiction is a form of pathological behavior in which a person experiences an irresistible urge to be online. It can replace real life, including communication, work and even intimate relationships, which leads to social isolation and psychological problems.
2. Why are computer games addictive?
   Computer games create an illusory world in which a person can be something he or she is not in reality. This allows to compensate for the shortcomings of real life, which makes games especially attractive and contributes to the formation of addiction.
3. What are the signs that indicate the presence of Internet addiction?
   Signs may include a constant desire to be online, irritability when unable to access the Internet, neglect of offline responsibilities and interests, and deterioration of social and professional relationships.
4. How do you get rid of an internet or gaming addiction?
   The first step is to recognize the problem. Then you should limit the time spent online, find alternative activities in real life and, if necessary, seek help from a psychologist or psychotherapist.
5. How do you help a loved one cope with addiction?
   It is important to be understanding and supportive, not to blame but to offer help. It is recommended to develop an action plan together, including limiting online time and finding alternative hobbies, and to seek professional help if necessary.