With the increase in broadband in America and beyond, more and more people are spending their free time playing online games. Everyone needs a distraction from their day to day lives and video games seem to provide a harmless outlet. But what happens when a harmless pastime turns into an all consuming addiction? How do you know when you or a loved one has crossed that line from casual gamer to strung out online game addict? What, if anything, can be done to break the video game cycle?

Online games have exploded onto the scene in recent years led in large part by the increase in bandwidth. Computers are in just about every home and every office. Many people in the US and around the world have increased their computer time at the expense of more traditional entertainment like television, radio, books and newspapers. One segment of the online world, called casual gaming, has grown into a huge entertainment alternative. Casual games are Flash based games that are played online or downloaded to your computer. Most of the games follow a simple premise and can be learned in minutes. Game mastery is what takes time and the delicate balance between easy to learn and hard to master is what makes these games so addictive. After completing a few basic levels you are convinced that you can go all the way. Most games involve puzzles, card games, seeking or collecting. Simple concepts that increase in difficulty as you move through the game. Playing a few levels here and there is one thing. Sacrificing other parts of your life to play a video game is where gaming dependency comes into play.

At work the temptation can be almost unbearable. After all, we do most of our important work at the computer. Who would notice if you were to play a couple of video games? It might even make you more productive by clearing your head so you can focus on the important tasks on your list of things to do. But that is where the problems start. One game turns into many. Before you know it the day has slipped away and your work load is no lighter. In effect, the video game that was supposed to relieve your stress has led to an increase. You now have more work than you did before you sat down at your desk.

The problem at home is less well defined. At work your time is accounted for. You know where you are supposed to be and what you are paid to do. But after work you can do whatever you want on your own terms. Some people work out, others watch TV, others are into cooking or crafts. Like gaming these are all good pursuits in moderation. But if you are sacrificing health or personal relationships then you have a problem.

So what can you do if you suffer from gaming addiction? Well, the first step is to admit that you have a problem. Tell your spouse or your sibling or a friend and let them know that you might need their help. Then go to your computer and delete any games you have downloaded. If might be hard to part with games that you paid to download but it will be for the best. Delete bookmarks to game sites and any passwords you have. Go one step further and delete the emails from those sites. The last step, and this might be the most important, is to find something else to do. Distract yourself. Write a blog, take up gardening or submerge yourself in work. The video game sites will survive without you. After a while you can test your will and play a game here or there. You will know you are cured if you can turn it off after a few levels.

Games are good clean fun but you have to know when to say when. Video games, like anything else, should be played in moderation. There is nothing wrong with video games as long as you know when to walk away.