This is a tough question because I'm not a psychologist. So I don't know if it's addiction or simply lack of self discipline to say, "it's time to get to bed." Here are a couple ideas that might help.

First, e-mail will always be there unless you forgot to pay the bill, even though you might have a free e-mail account, the server you use such as Comcast you still must pay for. So your e-mail will be waiting in the morning.

Next, if it's a person you're waiting to IM or someone in a chat room. If the are responsible adults selfless in their intentions, then they will understand and appreciate your ability to have self discipline. They will appreciate the fact that you're telling them to get off the computer in order to optimize their well being by getting the proper rest.

It a person is into gaming gambling and the like then addiction could be in play here, and a counselor is needed.

Prioritizing always ranks number one. God first, family, work and computer seems to fit into that space one might call alone time. In reality however, one can spend alone time dong something different like reading a book, spending time with God and still gain that refreshment needed. Family should always come first, and if a person is up all hours on the computer, that could be chatting a spouse from valuable time even though the two might be asleep, it's still valuable time.

The computer/Internet serves a an incredible avenue to gain information and for some to find friends, but when it takes priority over the major events of life then it's time to stop, stand back and ask, "Do I need to make some changes?" When is it time to get away from the computer? A great rule of thumb is the feeling that occurs that seems to say, "Just one more minute, then I'll be through. Just one more look at this other website, oh man I need to check this book website out first, Oh I got an Im, it's man eleven o'clock. I'll just talk to them for a minute..." This is when a person's been on too long.

I hope this hub is helpful. It's a tough road to begin traveling, but you can do it. Start tonight. Hmm it's getting late. I think I'll end my time on the computer after I write this hub. To you success!