How To Talk About The Issue
Be honest and direct with someone who is on the fence about their video game play. Do not minimize, cover up, dismiss, ignore, or be in denial yourself. People who have grown dependent on video games often endure more suffering the longer it takes to get support. Those who care about an excessive user may feel unsure about whether use has reached problematic levels. Trust your gut. Educate yourself. Video game addiction can take a serious physical and emotional toll in all those surrounding the user, not just the video game player themselves.
Gaming Addiction Is A Process Addiction
Process addictions, otherwise known as behavioral addictions, is a condition that is characterized by overwhelming impulses to engage in specific behaviors in spite of adverse consequences. When your teen has a behavioral addiction, they will experience an elevation in mood, which is often followed by guilt or shame after the fact. Today, there are a variety of process addictions, such as:
- Gambling addiction
- Shopping addiction
A video game addiction is a process addiction. Its also very similar to internet gaming disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This manual helps psychiatrists and psychologists diagnose mental disorders.
Finding a gaming addiction treatment center is vital because this disorder can lead to the development of others. For example, some video games also encourage gambling through the use of loot boxes. People buy them with real money with the chance of getting the custom skins or weapons that they want. This behavior simulates real-life gambling and is dangerous because gambling is addictive.
Gaming And Device Management Treatment
We all know the cliché of someone who practically turns into a zombie playing video games. They play for hours and hours on end often to the detriment of work, school, and relationships. When video games start negatively affecting other aspects of your life, it may be time to seek some help.
For many, the idea of being addicted to video games doesnt seem possible. In fact, the WHO only added video gaming as a disorder to its medical reference book in 2018. It has even been proposed as an addition to the American Psychiatry Associations manual . Video and internet gaming addiction is a real issue and Ascend Healthcare is here to help with our gaming and device management treatment.
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Consult Insight Into Action Therapy For Video Game Addiction Treatment
If gaming is ruling you or a loved ones life, consider Insight Into Action Therapy. Gaming enthusiasm can be exaggerated, so finding the right professional for you or your loved ones needs is important. Knowing the signs of addiction and seeking individual assistance for this healable issue is paramount to recognizing the opportunity for change. Contact our team today at or complete our secure online form if you feel you or someone you know needs professional support. With Insight Into Action Therapy, comprehensive community-based treatment can help your loved one get back to being themselves.
Video Game Addiction Treatment In Utah
How do you know if you or your teen is in need of video game addiction treatment? You may be noticing your teen playing games all of the time, but so do most of his friends. But how can you know when video games have become too much, and there is a real problem going on, one that requires gaming addiction treatment. Here at Pathways Real Life, our therapists are always here to help. When you call us at 895-3006 you’ll be put directly in touch with a therapist who can help you determine if the problem requires video game addiction therapy.
- Pathways team is available 24/7
- Free Assessments
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Effectsof Addiction To Video Games
A reputable study hasshown that a childs basic character is formed at the age of seven. This meansthat the side effects of a childs addiction to video games will begin to speakfrom age 7 to adulthood. The negative consequences are enormous if this is thecase.
Some of the majorside effects of video game addiction are
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Who Qualifies For Free Rehab Treatment
If you are searching for a free alcohol detox near me, you may be wondering who qualifies for free rehab treatment. Nonprofit-run drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers often offer financial assistance to those who need treatment and dont have the ability to pay. Some nonprofit organizations offer treatment at their own rehab facilities or provide it at private facilities with scholarships. There are also religious organizations that may provide payment assistance or even offer free faith-based rehab as part of their ministry services.
Government-funded rehab programs tend to have strict eligibility requirements to qualify. Typically, applicants will need to show proof of citizenship, state residency, income, and lack of insurance.
For current and former members of the military, VA offers Veterans Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation Programs, but they are only available to eligible veterans who are currently under the care of the VA system.2
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What Causes Gaming Addiction
Advancement in gaming technology in recent years has led to increasing realism and a heightened sense of immersion into video game worlds. These updates attract gamers as they can experience and explore new dimensions.
Because of these advances, research suggests two common causes for gaming addiction. These are:
Brain chemical changes
As with other compulsive behaviour that can lead to an addiction, the levels of the happy chemical known as dopamine which is released when you play a video game, may be one factor.
Dopamine is released when you take part in any pleasurable activity, like when you eat, watch a film, or play sports. It is linked to the reward system in your brain and is also involved in regulating problem solving and memory, which all plays a part in how much you may feel an urge to play a video game increasingly frequently.
Researchers believe that abnormally high levels of the chemical could make some people more predisposed than others to developing an addiction, as your brain begins to associate gaming with a pleasurable dopamine release, making it difficult to stop a cycle of compulsive behaviour without professional therapy treatment and support.
Emotional influences
If you are regularly experiencing negative emotions characterised by a mental health condition, or are simply going through a period of unhappiness, then turning to computer games in order to escape these symptoms can occur.
How To Find The Best Video Game Addiction Treatment Facility
Recent developments within the psychiatric field may mean more treatment options for addicted gamers in the near future. In May 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the official guide for those in the mental health field, included a recommendation to continue studying Internet-use disorder, which encompasses video game addiction. The recommendation adds legitimacy to claims that video game addiction is a bona fide disorder that requires treatment. That recommendation combined with an increasing number of available statistics, such as that nearly one in every 10 gamers ages 8 to 18 is addicted to playing, should result in more options for those finding help in treating video gaming addiction.
If you are looking for a video game addiction treatment facility, we can help. Call to discuss treatment options.
Additional Resources
As advocates of mental health and wellness, we take great pride in educating our readers on the various online therapy providers available. PsychGuides has partnered with several thought leaders in the mental health and wellness space, so we can help you make informed decisions on your wellness journey. PsychGuides may receive marketing compensation from these companies should you choose to use their services.
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Outpatient Video Game Rehab And Treatment Programs
Outpatient video game rehabilitation programs share many of the traits of inpatient programs, minus the overnight accommodations. Outpatient programs offer significantly more freedom for the patient, who, at the end of each session, is allowed to return home. Such a structure permits patients to maintain commitments to work, school, friends and family. Another benefit of an outpatient program is that the patient can enjoy a support network without needing to reveal to coworkers or fellow students that they are undergoing treatment for an addiction.
Video Game Rehabilitation And Treatment
Playing video games is one of the most popular leisure activities in the world and provides known benefits, including improved focus, hand-eye coordination, memory, and multitasking. Most people consider video gaming a hobby or fun pastime, with 75% of American households having at least one gamer in the home. Many gamers say they play video games because it provides mental stimulation, and its a good way to relax. Some players enjoy the competition, while others like the social component of forming connections and being part of a group effort. Many parents believe video games are educational for their children.
Despite the many positives of gaming, players who use video games to escape real life and avoid stressful situations or negative feelings could fall victim to addictive behavior. Not all researchers agree that video gaming is an addictive activity. Some believe it is a type of impulse control disorder, while others consider it a behavioral addiction. However, not everyone who plays a lot of video games has a gaming problem. An estimated 1% and 9% of gamers fit the proposed criteria for gaming addiction, which is more common in males than in females.
Video Game Rehabilitation and Treatment
- IV. How to Find Help
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What Is Video Gaming Use Disorder
Video gaming use disorder, more commonly called video game addiction, is the inability to regulate video game play both on- and offline. A type of process addiction, video game disorder or internet gaming disorder is characterized by compulsive and problematic video game playing that impairs the gamer’s ability to function normally in certain areas of life. The one resounding trait is that the person is unable to control the amount of time spent on video game use.
While there is some debate over the validity of calling excessive online gaming an addiction, the millions of people that play excessive hours of games like Fortnite and Call of Duty give cause for the concern. In 2019 the World Health Organization officially recognized gaming disorder as a mental health condition in the 11th Edition of the International Classification of Diseases , and gaming disorder was included in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as an addictive diagnosis.
How Is Video Game Addiction Treated
The main treatment option for video game addiction is talk therapy .
Psychotherapy is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help you identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Working with a mental health professional can provide support, education and guidance to you and your family.
Specific types of psychotherapy that may benefit someone with video game addiction include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy : This is a structured, goal-oriented type of therapy. A therapist or psychologist helps you take a close look at your thoughts and emotions. Youll come to understand how your thoughts affect your actions. Through CBT for video game addiction, you can unlearn negative and obsessive thoughts and behaviors and learn to adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits.
- Group therapy: This is a type of psychotherapy in which a group of people meets to describe and discuss their problems together under the supervision of a therapist or psychologist. Group therapy is a valuable source of motivation and moral support for people who have video game addiction, especially if theyve lost contact with friends or peers as a result of their video game addiction.
- Family or marriage counseling: This type of therapy can help educate loved ones about the disorder and create a more stable home environment.
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Video Game Rehab: Inside Gaming Addiction Treatment Centers
Video game rehab exists to help those who have become addicted to video games. Like all addictions, gaming addiction can ruin lives. Gaming becomes increasingly excessive, and it takes control of a gamers life. Consequences can be dire, including school failure, loss of employment, loss of friendships and other relationships, and declining physical and mental health . Because of this, gaming addiction treatment centers are springing up worldwide to provide video game rehab and help gamers reclaim their lives.
Dishonesty Or Hiding Their Habit
Teenagers are smart at hiding things from their parents but even they may understand that their gaming is becoming a routine habit when they start being dishonest about the time spent indulging in it. Frequently, their dishonesty gets extended to friends and peers and they start to separate themselves from others while spending more time gaming.
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The Benefits Of Residential Video Game Addiction Treatments
Residential, or inpatient, video game treatment centers offer the patient ample time to recover from the addiction. Some people only require a 30-day stay, while others benefit from a minimum of 60 days at such a center.
In addition, residential treatment centers protect each patients privacy while helping them to become equipped for an addiction-free life. Many centers offer flexible payment plans, while most accept insurance.
What Makes Video Game Addiction Rehabilitation Difficult
Video game addiction was officially classified as a Gaming Disorder by the World Health Organization in 2018 when it was included in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases . The American Psychiatric Association added Internet Gaming Disorder to the 5th edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , but placed it in Section 3, meaning it requires more research and isnt an official diagnosis yet. Studies about treating video game addiction are in the early stages, so the rehabilitation and treatment process may differ by facility or psychologist. Because many mental health experts may not understand this new disorder very well, it may be difficult to get the right type of treatment.
The Unique Struggle of Video Game Addicts
| Sexual Addiction |
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Prevalence for Internet Gaming Disorder
0.56% Female
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What Is Gaming Disorder
Research into the effects of video gaming have been ongoing for several decades. While there are both positive and negative aspects of video game play, it is clear that for some adults and teens, gaming is a significant problem. Thus, the World Health Organization made the decision to include gaming disorder in the International Classification of Diseases in 2018.
Studies indicate that video game play changes the brain. VGP has been associated with delayed development in brain areas associated with development and verbal intelligence. Other studies suggest that video game play may cue the brain in similar ways as what happens when a person coping with pathological gambling or substance dependence.
Video Game Addiction Withdrawal Process
For some gamers, there may be a type of detox period lasting three to four days where withdrawal symptoms are more severe. Withdrawal symptoms may disappear fairly quickly, or they may persist for several weeks or even months, but they eventually fade away. It takes time for a gamers brain and body to recover from excessive gaming, social isolation, and an unhealthy lifestyle that included chronic sleep deprivation and irregular/poor eating habits.
In the AJP study group, 5.20% of participants said they experienced withdrawal after abstaining from video games. The withdrawal process affects people differently, and no two gamers have the exact same experience, but many report common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. Some of the most frequently reported withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, depression, impatience, headaches, muscle tension, sleep issues, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and cravings to game.
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Residential Inpatient Gaming Addiction Treatment Centers
Inpatient treatment for addicted gamers is best for those who need to leave their environment altogether for a time in order to heal. Such treatment centers offer group therapy, individual counseling and a game-free atmosphere.
Some inpatient facilities offer private rooms, while some offer dorm-like accommodations. All these programs are designed to make the patient feel safe, comfortable and supported as they embark on a healing journey.
Once an addict has allowed their life opportunities to diminish by withdrawing entirely into the addiction, they have few options for overcoming the dependency on their own. This is where inpatient treatment facilities are a tremendous help. They help patients relearn healthy coping skills in a contained environment.
For help in selecting a treatment center, call . We are available 24/7 to help you find the facility you need.
Video Game Addiction Treatments
Never before has the Internet been more pervasive. We are surrounded, even submerged, with connectivity. The combination of cutting-edge smartphones, 4G Wi-Fi connectivity, brand name aps and push notifications keep us online more than most care to admit. With this unprecedented connectivity, teenagers and young adults often struggle with an unhealthy need to be on the internet, gaming, posting photos and responding to comments.
This behaviour can get in the way of daily life, causing negative and emotional changes, even to the point of spiralling out of control.
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