You don't specify in what way you feel your gaming is dysfunctional or detrimental to your life, so it's difficult to even suggest anything. As festive1 noted, 12 step groups don't necessarily emphasize the role of the higher power (though the exact way 12 step groups help is not altogether clear). I was in a 12 step group for nicotine and tobacco products and it was made clear that what and how you interpret the "higher power" language was up to you; many in the group used the group of 12 steppers themselves as the so called higher power. And if there are no atheist/secular twelve step groups for gaming, you might stop in on a secular twelve step group for some other addiction or obsession. (I found the time I spent in ACOA and alanon to be very useful.)

But again, the nature of the complaint is unclear. College, and that age, are periods of rapid development, change, and extremes. (In Japan, college is when young adults are free to drink outside of controlled social environments for the first time, often leading to great excesses.) I've always been a very shy person, so, even though my gaming in college occasionally resulted in academic failures, it was a great social experience and likely had enormous benefits for my social development. College is a time of extremes. If you're failing all your classes, that's one thing, but it's unclear from your post in what way your gaming is impacting your life. And I would also caution against over-generalizing. People, college students I mean, are frequently prone to fads and obsessions. Is this just "something you're going through," or is it "Godzilla meets Tokyo?"

Just came across this. I found it resonated with experiences in my life; maybe it'll be useful.

have you tried sex?

Gaming addictions, TV addictions, internet addictions, drug addictions, sex addictions, ffs, is there anything that doesn't have an addiction status attached? Is gaming getting in the way of achieving your goals (assuming pro-gamer isn't on the list) or having a negative impact on your life? If so, thats the problem, if not - there is no problem.

Set your priorities, live accordingly.

To be fair where else would you be able to beat the shit out of a man with a cheetahs head that spits fireballs?
Seriously, its escapism to a level not possible by any other means. Can you settle into the mantle of a character and influence how it evolves in a movie? Or a book? No. You have no direct influence of any kind in either. No other media at this time allows an individual to escape the bounds of himself to such a colossal extent.
You want to cure your addiction? Make your life more interesting and more rewarding to participate in.
Make being you a better thing to be to the extent that a game is a pale and meek alternative.

Still better than being addicted on meth?

meth does seem to be the lesser option

At one stage I also couldn't get enough of games. I'm trying to think of how I overcame it... It was so effective that the other day I sat down to play Dead Island (which I haven't touched for over a year) just to chill for a bit and I couldn't even last 15 min. The entire time I was forcing myself to want to play for some relaxation.

I think I just honestly asked myself what gaming was achieving. Sure, you can level up and get that shiny new sword or you can find out how the story line progresses, but when you press the off button it's back to what really matters: reality. That time spent had no benefits to my life in any way, shape or form. I asked myself what stuff I wanted to achieve in real life and then everytime I sat down to play I would first think if it would get me closer to my goals in real life. Obviously the answer is 'no'.

I think it could have been something along those lines. As I said, I tried playing Dead Island just the other day and I happened to level up, but I thought 'so what'? Rewards in games are pointless! It's way better to take that time and spend it gymming some more, for example.

(September 18, 2012 at 11:21 am)FallentoReason Wrote: At one stage I also couldn't get enough of games. I'm trying to think of how I overcame it... It was so effective that the other day I sat down to play Dead Island (which I haven't touched for over a year) just to chill for a bit and I couldn't even last 15 min. The entire time I was forcing myself to want to play for some relaxation.

I think I just honestly asked myself what gaming was achieving. Sure, you can level up and get that shiny new sword or you can find out how the story line progresses, but when you press the off button it's back to what really matters: reality. That time spent had no benefits to my life in any way, shape or form. I asked myself what stuff I wanted to achieve in real life and then everytime I sat down to play I would first think if it would get me closer to my goals in real life. Obviously the answer is 'no'.

I think it could have been something along those lines. As I said, I tried playing Dead Island just the other day and I happened to level up, but I thought 'so what'? Rewards in games are pointless! It's way better to take that time and spend it gymming some more, for example.

I'll bet you're a lot of fun at parties.

(September 18, 2012 at 11:21 am)FallentoReason Wrote: I think I just honestly asked myself what gaming was achieving.

Time enjoyed is not time wasted.