Support & resources

Help is real, and it's within reach.

Whether you need someone to talk to right now or a community for the long road, these resources are here. The crisis lines below are free, confidential, and available any hour of any day.

If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, call 911 (US) or go to your nearest emergency room. The lines below are here for any crisis, including thoughts of suicide — you don't have to be at a breaking point to reach out.

Crisis · 24/7

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call 988 · Text 988

Free, confidential, 24/7 support for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress — for any reason, including struggles with gaming. Trained counselors are there to listen.

Treatment info · 24/7

SAMHSA National Helpline

1-800-662-4357

Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information for mental health and substance use (1-800-662-HELP). English and Spanish. Locator: findtreatment.gov.

Gaming-specific support

Communities & programs that understand gaming.

These are independent organizations — we're not affiliated with them and don't endorse any one over another. They're listed because many people have found them genuinely helpful. Reach out to whichever fits you.

Game Quitters

One of the largest communities specifically for people quitting or cutting back on gaming, with articles, programs, and peer support founded by someone in recovery from gaming.

gamequitters.com

On-Line Gamers Anonymous (OLGA)

A fellowship offering peer support and a 12-step-style approach for people affected by problematic gaming, plus support for family members (OLG-Anon).

olganon.org

Computer Gaming Addicts Anonymous (CGAA)

A free, anonymous fellowship of people who help each other recover from compulsive video-game playing, with online and in-person meetings.

cgaa.info

SMART Recovery

A science-based, secular recovery program using CBT and motivational tools. Not gaming-specific, but its skills and meetings apply well to behavioral addictions including gaming.

smartrecovery.org

reSTART Life

A US residential treatment program focused specifically on problematic technology and gaming use, offering structured, live-in recovery support.

restartlife.com

Links open external sites. Descriptions are general and may change; please check each organization directly for current details, meeting times, and costs. Inclusion here is informational, not medical advice or a guarantee of any particular outcome.

Books, podcasts & tools

Plenty of helpful material exists beyond formal programs. These are illustrative categories rather than endorsements — explore and find what speaks to you:

  • Books on behavior change and attention (for example, popular titles on habits, focus, and "indistractable" living) can give you a framework that applies directly to gaming.
  • Recovery and "quit-lit" accounts from people who stepped away from gaming — relatable and motivating.
  • Digital-wellness apps and built-in screen-time tools on phones, consoles, and PCs to set limits and track time.
  • Focus and blocker apps that gate gaming during set hours.
  • Online communities and forums where people share progress and encouragement.

You don't have to choose perfectly. Any one of these — a phone call, a meeting, a book, a single conversation — can be the start. The most important step is simply reaching for support instead of going it alone.

Please remember

VideoGameAddiction.org provides general educational information and is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone else may be in danger or crisis, call or text 988 (US). For diagnosis or treatment, consult a qualified health professional.

You're not alone in this

Find your people, or find a pro.

Peer communities and professional help work beautifully together. Pick whichever feels most reachable today.

Professional help → Supporting someone?