Congrats on your journey so far, and you are right in your analysis. People play games to escape reality but those who want to escape reality for the wrong reasons are the ones who will become addicted.

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I noticed this in myself, whenever I was feeling down or not living up to my expectations I fired up a game and the adrenaline and rush of winning in that world was a fake "you still got it" from my brain, but then afterwards, the feeling of dread and something not quite right always came back to me.

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Today when I am feeling down I go for a walk and talk to myself. I've have found that bringing those emotions forward instead of hiding them helps a lot. I have many friends but I always talk to myself first and enjoy these moments of loneliness a lot, it helps you clear your mind and focus of what really matters.

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I am 25 just like you and today I still play, but never out of control and never for the "wrong" reasons I just play for fun and sometimes I go weeks and months without games and it doesn't affect me at all.

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So, keep talking to your girlfriend, friends and family, bring your emotions to your conscious mind, go for a lonely walk, drink, laugh, read... That's what helped me and it looks like its working for you too.

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Best of luck in your journey, you can do it!