I'm going to explain a very big reason why Kids, Teens, and even Adults find it so hard to stop playing video games...

I was talking to a young man, who told me he had dropped out of college to become a professional gamer.

However, his hopes of becoming a pro gamer had disappeared.

He told me he knew he had been addicted to video games since Jr. High.

Now he was 22-years-old, still living with his parents, and had no job or education.

His parents had just turned off his internet access, given him 6 months to find a job, and move out.

He was anxious, depressed, and did not understand how his life had gotten to this point.

I told him that he needed to understand how video games had taken control of his life, if he was going to turn things  around.

I explained that he had been using video games for the following reasons:

1. They created a FALSE sense of self confidence.

2. They helped him escape areas of his life that were difficult.

And...

3. I told him the worst thing that was happening was that he was not developing the skills he needed to feel fulfilled in his life.

I really do believe that because this young man is willing to face his problem with gaming addiction, he will turn things around.
 

I have counseled many kids, teens and adults that struggle with addictions to video/computer games, the internet, and phones.

There is a common theme in many of their stories...

They are all using these technologies to meet a very powerful psychological need.

This need is referred to as a “Sense Of Life Mastery.” 

Mastery is defined as a sense of having control over the forces that affect your life, and is an important component of mental health and well-being. 

I made this video to explain how one of the main reasons people become addicted to video games.