I'm just wondering, how can I keep my mind off of video games? Because even if I've been on a long detox, I tend to think of controls for controlling myself, the games, the music, etc.

Welcome to Game Quitters,

Have you purchased the respawn workbook?

Can you give a bit more information about yourself. Your area of interests outside of gaming, academic career, work?

There can be different reasons for obsessive play. One measure is disposing of the gaming console and/or installing a special app for restricting access to online entertainment. This measure will only work if a plan will be employed, reviewed and modified based on progress, to target underlying causes for the obsession.

That’s really normal. Even after a long detox, your brain can still replay controls and game patterns because it got used to them. What helped me was not trying to suppress the thoughts, but replacing them with activities that fully engage my hands or attention. Over time, the thoughts showed up less and less. It’s not failure—it’s just your brain unlearning a habit.

I think the best way to keep your mind off gaming is to alter your environment.

It's simple but not easy. You have to change everything: your goals, your interests, your friends, your identity, your purpose.

I used to be addicted to online chess last year. It consumed my mind constantly. And I had lots of free time to both study and play it. I strongly, strongly wanted to become "good" at the game, and I always felt like I was getting a bit closer...

The only reason I have been able to stop playing it was enrolling into a local community college with the new goal of becoming a student (this was hard; I've always resisted college!!). But now that I consider myself a student who prioritizes academic success, it just feels counterintuitive to play it. The difference is night and day.

This is just an example. I'm not perfect as I've still been playing some other games since enrollment (hence why I'm now checking out this forum), but my specific desire to become a chess pro evaporated once I signed up. I'm no longer feeling indecisive on quitting it or not. By being in a new environment where gaming isn't the novelty, my focus and thoughts on gaming simply is smaller.

I think one thing that makes gaming difficult to step away from is that it is not only about the games themselves. A lot of games become connected to our routines, memories, and even our identity. So when you stop playing, your brain naturally goes back to those familiar patterns.

What helped me understand this is that replacing gaming with another activity is usually more effective than just trying not to think about games. Having something you are working toward, whether it is learning a skill, improving yourself, studying, or creating something, gives your mind another place to focus.

I also think it is normal for game thoughts to appear sometimes. The goal probably isn't to never think about games again, but to reach a point where you can choose when to play instead of feeling controlled by it.