Phase 0 – Brutal Honesty Check (skip = fail)
Right now, on paper/phone:
“If I’m still queuing Deadlock 365 days from today (March 14, 2027), my life will objectively be worse because:”
List 5+ ugly, specific, non-vague consequences. Real examples from players:

Still in the same dead-end job/apartment because 20–40 hours/week went to lanes instead of side hustles/studying
Zero progress on fitness → visible dad bod / back pain upgrade unlocked
Social circle shrunk to Discord voice chat randos; real dates/friends ghosted
Sleep debt makes you look 5 years older
Bank account down $X from takeout during 3 AM sessions
Family/friends stopped asking “how are you” because the answer is always “grinding souls”
MMR addiction replaced actual achievements

If fewer than 4 items genuinely sting → you're not ready. Bookmark this and come back when the next 40-hour weekend binge ends in self-loathing.
Phase 1 – 7-Day Nuclear Purge (highest short-term success for 300+ hour addicts)
Goal: zero seconds of gameplay or menu-sitting for 168 hours straight.
Non-negotiable steps (do all or reset counter):

Uninstall immediately
Steam → right-click Deadlock → Manage → Uninstall.
Then: Steam → Help → Steam Support → “I want to permanently remove this game from my account” (some regions allow it; if not, at least remove from library visibility).
Account lockdown
Change Steam password → 20+ random characters, save in physical note given to trusted person / frozen in ice / mailed to yourself for 10 days.
Enable Steam Guard + remove all remembered devices.
If you have alt accounts: repeat or delete them.

Device & network nuke
Phone: delete Steam app, block psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com / deadlock site via parental controls or app like Freedom/Cold Turkey (set 7-day lock with random password you can't retrieve).
PC: new restricted Windows/Mac user account (no admin rights), give old admin password away.
Router-level block: add psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com , valve domain variants to blocklist (or use Pi-hole if you're technical).
Browser extensions: LeechBlock / StayFocusd on every profile, lock settings for 7+ days.

Social amputation
Leave / mute every Deadlock Discord/server/Reddit sub (r/DeadlockTheGame especially).
Tell 1–3 IRL people: “I’m quitting Deadlock for at least a month starting today. Hold me accountable. If you see me launch it, destroy my keyboard.”
Post in a non-gaming chat (friends/family) → public shame works.

Replace the void (critical – most relapses here)
Deadlock fills: competition + progression + flow state + social-ish dopamine.
Immediate substitutes (pick 2–3):
Gym / martial arts / pickup basketball (physical exertion kills the itch)
Single-player story game with end (Hades 2, Elden Ring DLC, Metaphor: ReFantazio) – finite dopamine
Skill-based hobby restart: guitar, cooking, language app streak, coding project
Walk 10k steps daily while listening to podcasts/audiobooks (non-gaming content only)


Phase 2 – Relapse-Proofing (days 8–90)

Track daily “Deadlock-free” streak in notes or app (Habitica, Loop).
When urge hits (usually evenings / weekends): 10-min rule → set timer, do 10 push-ups / cold shower / call someone instead.
Weekly review: “What did I gain this week instead of souls?” Write wins (sleep, money saved, conversation had).
If you slip: analyze without self-hate → what trigger? (boredom, bad day, friend invited). Adjust barriers higher.
Long-term: aim for “controlled moderation” only after 90 clean days (e.g., 4 hours/week max, pre-scheduled, no ranked).

Phase 3 – If You’re Really Deep (500+ hours, depression creeping in)
This is no longer “just a game thing.” Some players describe it like any behavioral addiction.
Resources:

SAMHSA Helpline (US): 1-800-662-HELP (free, 24/7, confidential) – gaming/compulsive behavior counts.
r/StopGaming or r/DeadlockTheGame quit threads for peer stories.
Therapy (CBT focused on gaming/addiction) if life impact is severe.

You’re in Omaha, Nebraska – local options exist via findtreatment.gov or 988 crisis line if it’s darker than “just can’t stop queuing.”
Most important line:
You don’t have to quit gaming forever. You have to quit letting one game own your calendar, sleep, and self-respect.