How do I control a game addiction without unistalling Steam?

[kjgrune]

I get too addicted to a game.

I wanted to remove it from Steam but with the ability to reinstall it. Can I do that? How?
Because I could find out how to do that I uninstalled Steam, so that I could not start the game.

Is there a timer function in Steam, that I order to save and shut down a game each day after I have played it a certain time of my choosing? Which good such programs are out there?

[Aahzmandias]

There is no such thing as game addiction in the first place.

Playing games is only a distraction from your real problems. Solve them, search for help. Believe me, been there, done that.

And for your problem: Delete the game. You are able to install it again any time you want.

[Tempest]

You could play on a gaming laptop using just the battery to supply power. The laptop will shut down after two hours or less.

[kjgrune]

Interesting thoughts in both answers. Thank you.

[Mivo]

Originally posted by mkess:

There is no such thing as game addiction in the first place.

Of course there is. It's right up there with gambling addiction. Ever seen people who lost their jobs and homes and families, because they were addicted to gambling? It's a real thing.

To the OP: I don't think you can control an addiction while being exposed to the subject of the addiction. At best, it makes it tremendously harder, at worst, it makes it completely impossible. If you do feel it's a real addiction, then you have to be disciplined about it and make it harder for yourself to impulsively engage in the activity you're addicted to (create some sort of buffer, so that you have time to catch yourself).

I'd start reading with this: http://cgaa.info/differences-video-gaming-addict-problem-gamer/ There's a 20-questions list on that site and some more information on gaming addiction.

Personally, I luckily never got into a gaming addiction, but I have some first hand experience with a substance addiction a decade back. A lot of what I read about video games addiction is fundamentally the same, just minus the physical dependency, but the physical dependency was by far the easiest to deal with. The psychological part was what was hard, and I believe it's exactly the same for all forms of addiction.

[Aahzmandias]

Originally posted by Mivo:

Originally posted by mkess:

There is no such thing as game addiction in the first place.

Of course there is. It's right up there with gambling addiction. Ever seen people who lost their jobs and homes and families, because they were addicted to gambling? It's a real thing.

To the OP: I don't think you can control an addiction while being exposed to the subject of the addiction. At best, it makes it tremendously harder, at worst, it makes it completely impossible. If you do feel it's a real addiction, then you have to be disciplined about it and make it harder for yourself to impulsively engage in the activity you're addicted to (create some sort of buffer, so that you have time to catch yourself).

I'd start reading with this: http://cgaa.info/differences-video-gaming-addict-problem-gamer/ There's a 20-questions list on that site and some more information on gaming addiction.

Gambling addiction is something total different from feeling addicted to games. Don't mix these two. they have nothing in common at all.

Due gambling addiction, you want more mone, and love the risk of losing and winning.

Game "addiction" is, like I said only distraction from another serious problem, gambling addiction is the problem in itself. That is the difference between the two kind of behaviours.

If you don't believe me, ask any serious psychatrist about the theme complex. They will give you the same answer. There is no such thing as gaming addiction. You have to find the real problem, and fix it. Or, if that is no longer possible, to live with the behaviour. Even that will make you more relaxed, and fix it finally,making room again for other activities.

But there is, I agree, a very real gambling addiction.


And to the OP: It's good, that you acknowledge, that you have a real problem. That alone will help.

[Mivo]

Originally posted by mkess:

Gambling addiction is something total different from feeling addicted to games. Don't mix these two. they have nothing in common at all.

Video gaming addiction is recognized as an addiction by healthcare organizations, so I think a discussion about whether you or I think it is, or is not, an addiction, is pretty futile. Addictions are always coping mechanisms at the core, and I feel it doesn't matter on a fundamental level whether it's alcohol, slot machines (a lot of games use the same systems as those), nicotine, shopping, video games (so many MMO players completely ruined their lives and relationships), etc.

It's more about someone's personality than the subject of the addiction, so I agree with you that it's about the underlying issues, but you have that with nearly every addiction. It's why chronic addicts can quit one addiction and pick up another one to replace it. (I should exclude some drugs from this that do cause very strong physical addiction very quickly, even if someone involuntarily or briefly takes them.)

Regardless of that, if someone feels they are addicted and an activity is impacting their life negatively, or outright overtaking it, which I suppose is the case for the OP, or he'd not reached out, I feel it's irresponsible to tell them that their situation or perceived condition isn't real. It's very much real for him if he or his life is suffering from something he feels compelled to do or take. I think it's outstanding when people recognize that they have "a problem" and are wanting to improve their situation. Takes courage.

Anyway, I provided him with a link and he can, if he wants to, follow up on that. There's plenty of information out there. If I learned one thing about addictions and addicts of any kind, it's that nobody can make somebody else want to quit or change. It's solely up to the individual, and it's not going to happen without anxiety and sacrifices. It's never easy.

[Darren]

Couldn't a game trigger some of the same psychological triggers as gambling addiction?

A game which is brutally difficult for example, with essentially all of your progress being lost of death. Like you know a rogue-like. There is a real risk (potentially hours of investment wasted from a wrong move), and a consequent real reward (from escaping the near death experience).

It's not nearly as financially draining as a gambling addiction (since you aren't buying new games), but it seems like it could in theory be as socially and mentally debilitating (ditching friends and work for just that one more level, or because of recovering from the crushing loss of your last 40 hours of progress).

Of course if you add in a game like Chronicles of Elyria where you have to PAY for every life you spend in the game, it could be just a financially draining as well (and it would add to the risk/reward of the game already).

"• Sparks of Life | Chronicles of Elyria utilizes a new business model never before seen in MMOs. CoE hearkens back to the coin-op arcade model where, for $30, players buy a Spark of Life that grants a soul the opportunity to live for between 10 and 14 months, before establishing your Soul in a new character of your choosing. (Note: 1 Spark of Life comes with purchase of the game.)"

Note every death also reduces your lifespan in the game the more important the character the more you "age" every death apparently a King can perma-die after only 4-5 deaths.

[cinedine]

Originally posted by mkess:

Game "addiction" is, like I said only distraction from another serious problem, gambling addiction is the problem in itself. That is the difference between the two kind of behaviours.

There is no such thing as an alcohol addiction either. It's just the symptom of other problems you need to fix ...

Gaming additicion is real. Especially China has a big problem with it. Escapism, success mechanisms and their psychological triggers are a subtle yet effecitve way to lure you into games.

---

And therefore kudos to the OP to recognize it.
There are several parental control programs which let you limit playtime or set a timeframe or time volume, though you have to question how effective they'd be if you can deactivate them at any time.
If you can go cold turkey for some time. You can right click the game in library and "Delete local content" if you can't restrict yourself. The game will remain in your library for future download.

[Zubenelgenubi]

Any external thing isn't going to do it for you. It's always going to come down to your own self control.