Do I Need Health Insurance To Receive This Service
The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.
Video Game Addiction Aftercare
As part of Trafalgars video game addiction treatment program, we offer aftercare services to make sure that upon graduation of the client, any relapse will be prevented through our aftercare, ContinUCare and Continuation of Care.
Some may think that if they have made it through a video game addiction rehab program then their problems are over. Completing a video game addiction treatment program is a great accomplishment, but it is only the beginning of the recovery journey. Aftercare is especially important during the first few years of recovery.
How To Stop Video Game Addiction
So, how to help someone addicted to video games? The good news is that as video gaming and addiction becomes more prevalent, help is increasingly available. Highland Springs has a certified video game addiction treatment clinic made up of staff members who have the experience and expertise to help you overcome video game addiction.
Although studies about video game addiction treatment are in their early stages, one therapy that can help is cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT. This mental health counseling teaches patients how to replace their addictive thoughts about gaming in order to change their behavior.
There are also some things you can do to prevent a gaming problem from happening, including:
- Set time limits for gameplay, and stick to them. Use timers and auto-shutoffs once the time limit has been reached.
- Keep phones and gaming consoles out of the bedroom so you wont play mindlessly all night.
- Make sure you engage in other stimulating activities daily, such as exercising, socializing, and reading a good book, or watching a great TV show or movie with your loved ones.
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Video Game Addiction Treatment And Help For Teens
Over the years as video games evolved into complex and realistic escapes for players of all ages, the mental health professionals at Elk River Treatment Program began to see an increase in admissions of teens with an intense obsession with gaming. Since ERTP’s Treatment Team already addressed the of addictive behavior rather than just the behavior itself, the program was well equipped to address video game addiction that includes, but is not limited to, online gaming, role-playing games or any interactive gaming environment.
In January 2018, the World Health Organization included gaming disorder to the beta draft of its forthcoming 11th International Classification of Diseases. May 25, 2019, WHO officially voted to adopt the latest edition of its International Classification of Diseases to include an entry on “gaming disorder” as a behavioral addiction. Also in 2019, Internet Gaming Disorder was included in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders .
The WHO defines the mental health disorder as a “persistent or recurrent” behavior pattern of “sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”
The Biological Aspect Of Video Game Addiction
Unlike alcohol and drug addiction, the biological aspect of video game addiction is uncertain. Research suggests gambling elevates dopamine, but theres more to addiction than brain chemistry. Online gaming allows a person to escape the real world and change the perception of self-worth.
The lure of a fantasy world is especially pertinent to online role-playing games. These are games in which a player assumes the role of a fictional character and interacts with other players in a virtual world. An intelligent child who is unpopular at school can feel dominant in the game. The virtual life becomes more appealing than real life.
Too much gaming may seem relatively harmless compared with the dangers of a drug overdose, but experts say video game addiction can ruin lives. Children who play four to five hours per day have no time for socializing, doing homework or playing sports leaving little time for normal social development. Imagine a 21-year-old with the emotional intelligence of a 12-year-old who has never learned to talk to girls or never learned to play a team sport.
Some gamers exhibit severe withdrawal symptoms, becoming angry, violent, or depressed if electronics are restricted. Residential treatment is a safe setting for withdrawal from any addiction. ERTP conducts comprehensive assessments and evaluations immediately upon admission and uses the results to develop an Individualized treatment plan.
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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 And Substance Abuse
Video game addiction is often linked to mental health issues like depression and lack of concern for overall health. This is also one of the reasons why this is also linked to substance abuse. For many gamers who are suffering from compulsive disorders, the need to stay awake and play is a must. This is where the use of drugs begins, and dual diagnosis is a problem that needs proper treatment. So if you or someone you know is currently suffering from both disorders, seeking professional help must be done immediately.
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The Addiction Treatment Process
Treatment for addiction typically starts with a detox period to eliminating the substance of abuse from the patients body. Some substances can lead to dependence when abused, so those patients must also go through withdrawal. Medications may be prescribed by the treatment clinicians to help make patients as comfortable as possible during this time. The bulk of addiction treatment is in therapy and practicing certain life skills.
Through therapy, addicts can identify their triggers to use drugs or alcohol and come up with plans to avoid those triggers or react in a new way when triggers are unavoidable. Rehab counselors can also help patients address any underlying mental health issues that may be uncovered during this process.
After patients successfully complete an inpatient rehabilitation program, they may be transferred to outpatient treatment and/or a sober living home as a step-down option. During outpatient care, patients can work with their counselors and medical staff to develop an aftercare program that will help them stay sober.
Harmful Effects Of Video Games
Because video games can be addicting and can form an addiction, there are also harmful effects related to it.
- You are at risk for light-induced seizures as well as musculoskeletal disorders especially on the upper parts of your body. You may also have an increased metabolic rate.
- There is also an increased aggressive behaviors and thoughts specifically seen among children below 10 years old. Teenagers are also at risk for this behaviors.
- Isolation and reduced social interactions puts the you at risk for mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
- It was also found out that people who are addicted to video games have poor cognitive function, impulse controls as well as symptoms of ADHD compared to those who do not have such addiction.
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It Most Certainly Is If Youre The Person Or Family Member Coping With Excessive Use
When use becomes chronic and excessive it causes problems for both the user and those around them. What was once an activity full of excitement, challenge and reward, often leads to reduced functioning and conflict when use gets out of control. Excessive video gaming often supersedes other important activities, hobbies, and relational pursuits in life. Thus parents, friends and loved ones are often the first to see warning signs in those who use excessively.
How Do I Select A Residential Treatment Facility
Today there are many different resources online that offer referrals to programs or rehabs that say they treat video game addiction. Some are offered by people who played video games and quit, but dont have clinical experience. Others are run by people who have clinical mental health background, but dont have much experience in the way of video games or technology in general.
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When To Seek Help
Excessive game play may lead to a variety of eventual outcomes. Some people play excessively on occasion, but live healthy lives otherwise. They exercise, show up for work, go out with friends, and spend time engaging in offline activities with people they care about. Others find themselves caught in an insatiable feedback loop of game play and reward. To this end, the ability to stop on their own is nearly impossible without formal help.
Luxury Video Game Addiction Facilities
If you are interested in an inpatient treatment center with amenities, you can find what you want at a luxury video game addiction facility. Such centers offer everything from massage therapy to gourmet meals. Many find that the luxuries offered at these facilities make recovery more comfortable, ensuring the individual stays in treatment for longer.
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Treatment For Gaming Addiction
Although researchers are looking for the most effective treatment methods for addictive games, video game addiction is treatable. Thus, people with video game addiction can undergo treatment programs to manage gaming symptoms. Whether suffering from gaming-related physical or emotional health issues, rehabilitation and therapy can help ideal treatment options.
Therapy focuses on the problematic behavior of gaming to determine its origin, symptoms, and ways to integrate change. In addition, it recognizes other mental health issues or substance use disorders that might require treatment to manage gaming addiction symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the leading therapy method for treating video game addiction. It is an approach that makes an individual replace thoughts of gaming and change their pattern of behavior. These behavioral interpolations include encouraging other healthy behaviors and creating boundaries around gaming.
However, video game addiction has no medication to manage the habit specifically, but certain drugs can help reduce specific symptoms. In addition, someone with other mental health issues or addiction diagnoses can have medication to help treat these conditions.
Benefits Of Residential Game Addiction Treatment
Rehab for mental disorders is closely related to that for drugs. Thus residential gaming-addiction treatment plan will borrow a lot from other similar plans that a rehab uses to treat conditions such as alcohol or cocaine addiction.
Residential treatment programs for gaming addiction works by removing a patient from their triggers. It allows them around the clock professional treatment and supervision. The benefits that such treatment programs can offer you include:
The focus is only on you Youll have ample time to concentrate on recovery, away from family, work, school, and other distractors.
It offers structure You can account for every minute you spend in for treatment. Theres an activity planned for every second of the day. Inpatient rehabs tight schedule leaves you with less free time, hence, enabling you to dedicate all your energies to recovery and forming new, healthy habits.
It can help protect your family Dealing with withdrawal symptoms can be painful for your family to watch. Residential rehab avoids a scenario where your loved ones would otherwise have to watch the roller coaster of dealing with severe withdrawal. However, approved medications can help ease the condition.
Availability of a 24/7 medical support
Removal from triggers and other negative influences Inpatient rehab allows you to sharpen your coping skills before putting them to practice.
Confidential Form
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What Are The Causes Of Video Game Addiction
Now well go over video game addiction causes and effects.
Similar to other behavioral addictions, video game addiction is a disorder of the brains reward system. Over time, high levels of video gaming, which is considered an addictive stimulus, initiate the production of increasingly large amounts of dopamine in the brain. This stimulates receptors in the brain that drive the impulse to repeat the behavior. This is the same dopamine release process that triggers addictions to alcohol and drugs.
Treating Video Game Addiction And Co
In many cases, a video game addiction co-occurs or happens simultaneously with another mental health condition or substance use disorder. Treatments will vary depending on the disorder that co-occurs with a video game addiction:
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : A video game addiction and ADHD can be treated with CBT, bupropion and medications that address ADHD symptoms
- Depression: Depression and a video game addiction can be treated with CBT, bupropion and medications that help stabilize an individuals brain chemistry
- Substance Abuse: The medications or therapies employed will depend on the substance that is being abused however, the overall goal of treatment will be similar for substance use and video game addiction
If you or a loved one are struggling with an untreated video game addiction, help is available. The Recovery Village operates treatment centers across the United States that provide integrated approaches for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Contact a representative at The Recovery Village today.
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Impaired Focus And Concentration
Developing video game addiction, especially in action-packed games, significantly impacts one’s overall focus for hard-core gamers. Children exposed to too much video gaming may quickly lose interest and attention to their studies and critical learning skills, such as reading and listening. For adults, it may even be worsened when they have a substance use disorder on top of their process addiction problem.
Questions Parents Might Ask About Getting Video Game Addiction Help
Q. I am concerned my child is addicted to online gaming, how do I know if he/she needs treatment?
A. Some of the key signs that your child may be addicted to online gaming include:Irregular daily schedule. If your child plays games all night long and sleeps in the daytime, that can be a warning he or she should seek professional help.If child stops going to school, sports, or other social activities in order to be online or to play a video games.Does your child have to play for longer and longer periods of time to get the same level of enjoyment from the game?Many children that are addicted to gaming become irritable and anxious when they are unable to play regularly.Some video game addicted children experience strong cravings or withdrawals when they are unable to play.
Q. What are the first steps that I should take if I think my child has a problem with obsessive gaming?
A. Start with modeling better boundaries with electronics yourself. You can’t expect your child to “do as I say, not as I do.” Second, individual or family counseling will help your child recognize that the video gaming or screen time is likely a diversion from a situation or feeling that he or she does not know how to handle. Should less restrictive levels of intervention fail, consider inpatient or a residential treatment program like Elk River Treatment Program that recognize video addiction.
Q. Should I limit access or remove the ability for my child to use video games, cell phones or computers?
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Video Game Addiction Symptoms
Before you can look for a gaming addiction treatment center, you must determine if your loved one really needs the help. They must also meet certain criteria or conditions for experts to diagnose them.
The first criteria of gaming addiction is a teens impaired control when it comes to playing. Basically, they dont have control over how long or how often that they play games. Next, they have to give increased priority to video games. The activity takes over their lives to the point that it takes precedence over daily activities and other interests.
Lastly, they have to continue gaming despite the habit having negative consequences. Keep in mind that these conditions have to occur over the course of a year. People who get really into a new game and play a lot for a few days dont have an addiction.
The only exception is when the symptoms of video game addiction are severe enough to take immediate action. This problem usually occurs when peoples health or lives are at risk because of their strong obsession with games. When their lives are at risk, a gaming addiction treatment center is a top priority.
How Long Does Inpatient Rehab Typically Last
The amount of time that it takes for an individual to overcome a addiction will vary from person to person. While certain people may successfully complete a 28- to 30-day treatment program, others may need at least 60 days or longer to overcome severe cases of substance use disorder. Certain people may enter a short-term rehab program and find that they need an extended stay. Many rehabilitation clinics offer extended stay options to patients who need more time to overcome an addiction.
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How Does Internet Gaming Disorder Start
There are many factors that can lead to compulsive gaming, but one may be compulsion loops that are written into the narratives of many games. Core or compulsion loops are an interlocking series of challenges and rewards that draw players further into the game. Massively multi-player online role-playing games , mobile games, and social networking games utilize these loops.
Core loops present players with a challenge. When players complete the challenge, they are rewarded, and their prize leads into the next challenge. With each reward, dopamine is also released in a players brain, solidifying a connection between pleasure and the game.
One example is the game, Monster Hunter, where players slay monsters . When they win a battle, the player receives the defeated monsters powers that allow the player to battle a fiercer monster . With each victory, the brain also releases dopamine.
