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Clinical resource

Gaming Addiction Help

For such people seeking gaming addiction help is the only way out of this vicious cycle that, if left untreated, can destroy lives

Written by THE BALANCE

Clinically reviewed byDr. Sarah Boss, MD
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Quick Summary

  • Gaming addiction involves persistent, frequent play despite harm to finances, work or relationships, and can involve single-player or online multiplayer games.
  • Warning signs include constant preoccupation, gaming to alter mood, needing to play more frequently, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping.
  • Practical limits and healthier routines may help, while professional care can include cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, group therapy or residential treatment.

More than two billion people worldwide play video games; consequently, the revenue generated by the video gaming industry is only going up. Most of these players spend 6 hours every week playing their favorite games, and for most of them, it is merely a fun pastime that helps them relax and connect with friends. However, among these standard video games are some individuals who escalate into an addictive disorder that potentially takes over their lives.

In recent years, smartphones have surpassed consoles and computers as the most preferred gaming device. Video games are easily available as mobile applications with different modes, such as multiplayer and online role-playing modes. Every day, these popular games draw millions of players into their virtual worlds, and many of these people become dependent on them.

Like all the good things in life, video games are also best when played in moderation. Otherwise, unhealthy habits can easily develop, forcing players into obsessive relationships with their favorite video games to the point that they start jeopardising their lives. For such people seeking gaming addiction help is the only way out of this vicious cycle that, if left untreated, can destroy lives.

Gaming addiction refers to a type of behavioral addiction characterized by a pattern of persistent and frequent gaming, despite its negative effects on finances, career, or relationships. Gaming addiction can be categorized into the following two types:

Single-Player Video game Addiction

People with this type of addiction love playing games that involve only one player with a clear path or mission to complete. Such games usually feature a narrative to accompany progress as you go through the game.

Multi-Player Video Game Addiction

Also known as online gaming addiction, it includes games in which you can connect with other people based in different locations across the world through the internet. Such games are more likely to induce the symptoms of gaming addiction as they do not have an official ending like the single-player game.

While it is possible to keep enjoying a video game in moderation or even play it for an extended period after purchasing it, there is a clear distinction between an avid gamer and a gaming addict. These key distinctions are mentioned below:

  • Playing video games to change your mood
  • Being preoccupied with games all the time
  • Developing tolerance to gaming and always feel the need to play them more frequently than you currently are
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop playing

If you or a dear one is exhibiting any of the symptoms mentioned above, remember that help for video game addiction is readily available at most addiction centers in the UK. However, until you convince yourself or your loved one to join a rehab, here are some practical steps to consider for minimizing the addictive behavior on your own:

  • Come up with a healthy daily schedule that you can easily follow and implement
  • Delete all video games from your computer and mobile phone. Log out from any social media websites that serve as a trigger to gaming addiction.
  • Dedicate a few hours of the day for gaming and sticking to this rule
  • Postpone the urge to play video games all the time
  • Engage in healthy hobbies and leisure activities, such as gardening, reading books, and socializing with people in real life
  • Develop healthy coping skills related to nutrition and exercise
  • Remove all digital devices from your bedroom
  • Be mindful about acquiring unhealthy coping mechanisms, including overeating, gambling or substance use

If your video game usage is too high and potentially impairing some or all aspects of life, despite your efforts to control it, professional help from an addiction specialist is the last resort.

Treatment for video game addiction may require a short period of complete abstinence in addition to engaging in activities that help clients learn how to live in the real world. Particularly in cases of teenage gaming addiction, experts deem it necessary to work on clients’ social skills as most teens with this problem are unable to communicate with other individuals in real life comfortably. They have spent so much time in a virtual gaming world that their brains are not capable of interacting with people outside of it.

What makes a recovery from gaming addiction particularly difficult is that technology has become an essential part of everyday life. It is next to impossible to avoid it altogether, even for gaming addicts. Hence, the goal of treatment is to help them learn how to use technology responsibly.

Thankfully, many addiction therapists and counselors with expertise in gaming addiction are available at UK rehabs to help those struggling with this issue. The treatment offered at these facilities is usually similar to the one used for treating other addictions, like substance abuse. Different levels of care, including daycare, outpatient programs, and residential treatment, are routinely offered to all clients.

The following different types of therapy are used to overcome gamin addiciton in a rehab:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of talking therapy used in different forms of addiction management plans to help clients proactively address the underlying reasons behind their addictive natures.

Family Therapy

This type of therapy is particularly useful for gaming addicts who are in conflict with their families at home and use these games as an escape from confrontations.

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions are particularly beneficial for people trying to overcome their gaming addictions. These sessions allow them to accept that their addiction is not unique and make them realize that there are many other people with similar struggles as yours. This keeps clients motivated and focused on achieving recovery.

If your addiction to games is particularly severe, you might be suggested to enrol in an inpatient treatment program. Such programs take place in an environment with little to no access to gaming technology. Moreover, a multidisciplinary team is constantly working to take care of you and lead you to recovery through multiple therapies and counseling sessions.

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the warning signs of addiction to video games?
According to experts, there are nine signs to watch out for if you fear that a loved one is addicted to computer games and may require help:
Preoccupation with video games leads an individual to keep thinking about their previous gaming activity or anticipating the next round of play. In short, gaming becomes a dominant activity in their everyday life.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the habit of gaming is interrupted. These symptoms typically include boredom, sadness, cravings, anxiety, and irritability.
Developing tolerance by experiencing a need to increase the amount of time spent playing video games.
Several unsuccessful attempts to reduce the time spent on gaming each day.
Deceiving friends and family members in regards to gaming habits.
Using video games as a coping mechanism for stress, negative events and guilt or to escape an uncomfortable situation simply.
Jeopardising or losing a job, relationship, career opportunity or education due to excessive indulgence in playing video games.
 
The presence of the signs mentioned above in an individual close to you raises caution, and a professional assessment must be immediately undertaken to confirm computer game addiction.
Is there a way to cure gaming addiction?
Treatment for gaming addiction is no different to that for other types of addictions. The primary means of treatment involves behavioral modification and counseling under the supervision of trained professionals. Together, the addicts, their therapists and family members can create powerful tools to overcome any pattern of addiction and minimize the risk of relapse in the future. Certain facilities exclusively dealing with gaming addiction also provide medication-assisted treatment depending on client needs.
 
However, contrary to alcohol or drug addiction, video games are associated with computers, laptops, and other gadgets, which are an essential part of life for many. In this way, gaming addiction is comparable to food addiction, and its treatment mostly aims to control its use instead of forcing complete abstinence.
 
Unfortunately, no overall cure is there for video game addiction. However, the key to getting on the road to recovery is to modify behavior and stay away from triggers by continued participation in recovery groups, like Online Gamers Anonymous.
Does gaming addiction have any consequences on physical health?
Contrary to popular belief, video game addiction can have serious consequences not only on mental health but also on the victim’s physical health. Those with this type of addiction are more vulnerable to developing a number of physical issues such as:
Carpel tunnel syndrome due to excessive use of fingers and hands
Backache due to prolonged sitting in front of a computer or a TV screen
Poor personal hygiene
Trouble sleeping
Migraines
In some cases, these physical symptoms may become severe enough to disrupt the body’s normal functioning severely. In such cases, getting professional help with gaming addiction is highly recommended.

Editorial evidence

Evidence & sources

Selected clinical guidelines, peer-reviewed research, and public-health sources used in this article.

01MedlinePlus. (2024). Technology and screen time.View source
02Cochrane. (2022). Psychological interventions for gaming disorder and other problematic gaming.View source
03StatPearls Publishing. (2024). Internet gaming disorder.View source
View all 16 sourcesShow fewer sources
04National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (third edition).View source
05World Health Organization. (n.d.). *Gaming disorder*.View source
06World Health Organization. (n.d.). *Gaming disorder (6C51)*. *International classification of diseases 11th revision (ICD-11).*View source
07American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). *Internet gaming*.View source
08National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). *Mental health medications*.View source
09Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). *Find treatment*.View source
10U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). *FindTreatment.gov: Find treatment*.View source
11American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (n.d.). *Screen time and children*.View source
12King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., Wu, A. M. S., Doh, Y. Y., Kuss, D. J., Pallesen, S., Mentzoni, R., Carragher, N., & Sakuma, H. (2017). *Treatment of Internet gaming disorder: A systematic review*. Cochrane Library.View source
13National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Mental health information.View source
14National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Behaviour change: Individual approaches.View source
15National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). *Psychotherapies*.View source
16National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). *Behaviour change: Digital and mobile health interventions*.View source
What this includes
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Clinical context

Clear information is framed around complex and co-occurring presentations.

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Assessment remains essential because needs and risks differ from person to person.

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Jil MooreClient Relations Director
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Cynthia NakhleAdmissions Manager

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