Video games are a major industry, valued at an estimated quarter of a trillion dollars. The industry is bigger than movies and music combined. Many people all over the world play video games, whether on their phones, consoles, or specialised gaming computers.
While video gaming can be an engaging hobby and, in some cases, a lucrative career, some people are preoccupied with gaming to the point of addiction. Like any other addiction, this can have a detrimental impact on their lives and require professional treatment to correct.
Sivana Rehab can offer professional treatment for video game addiction and help people retake control over their lives.
What is a Video Game Addiction?
A video game addiction, also known as internet gaming disorder, is a type of behavioural addiction, and the behaviour in question is gaming. A person who has this form of addiction will be unable to stop or reduce their excessive gaming. If they try to reduce their gaming, they will invariably fall back into old behaviour patterns.
Compulsive gaming can persist even if the affected individual knows the negative consequences. If an affected individual is unable to play for whatever reason, they may suffer withdrawal symptoms, which can include irritability, belligerence, and intense cravings.
Gaming Addiction Treatment
Treating a person who is addicted to video games can require a complex, multifaceted approach. Some of the treatment options for this form of addiction include:
CBT is a dynamic therapeutic modality and a potent tool in treating behavioural and substance addiction. CBT primarily focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It can help patients identify the negative thought patterns (cognitive distortions) that contribute to unhealthy behaviours such as process addiction.
DBT is an offshoot of CBT that was originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. It has since proven effective at helping people address mental health disorders and various forms of addiction.
DBT’s primary focus is helping patients develop skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT can help patients recognise and manage their triggers, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and improve their relationships. With an emphasis on acceptance and change, DBT can support the reduction of compulsive gaming behaviour and enhance a patient’s overall well-being.
Group therapy can be a potent tool in recovery. Many forms of addiction can often leave a person feeling isolated and alone, as social withdrawal is common in those affected by addiction. Group therapy can offer people who are struggling with gaming addiction a place where they can feel a sense of community and belonging.
Support groups can also be a source of encouragement and accountability, both crucial to recovery.
Inpatient treatment can be an incredibly useful tool in helping a gaming addict recover. While in a treatment facility, a patient will receive intensive care and support. They also won’t have access to the processes to which they are addicted, which can help them keep their minds clear and give them the space they need to reflect on their addiction and recovery.
Another benefit of being in a treatment centre is that it can distance patients from their triggers and/or enablers.
Signs and Symptoms of Gaming Addiction
There are numerous signs of video game addiction that a person can watch out for. The most prominent symptom is preoccupation. A person who is addicted to video games will think about gaming constantly. They’ll also lose control over their behaviour and prioritise playing video games over everything else. This can cause them to neglect other activities, relationships, and mental and physical well-being.
Another symptom of addiction is tolerance. People who are addicted to video games may find themselves needing to play longer to achieve the same effects as before.
Another symptom of being addicted to video games is deception. Many people who are addicted can often lie to themselves and say that it’s just stress or that they could stop whenever they wanted.
This deception also extends to others. Loved ones may notice changes in a person’s behaviour, but people struggling with video game addiction will attempt to obfuscate the scope of their gaming activities.
Effects of Gaming Addiction
There are also several health effects of video game addiction. People who play gaming can often gain weight due to a sedentary lifestyle and the somewhat unhealthy food products marketed specifically towards gamers. Many gamers can develop obesity and its associated health risks, such as cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, and diabetes.
Eye strain is common among gamers, who spend hours staring at screens. Staring at blue light screens can also lead to headaches.
Gaming can also disrupt a person’s sleep patterns, as many gamers play their games well into the night.
Gaming addiction can also impair a person’s cognitive functions, and many gamers may have reduced attention spans and difficulty concentrating on tasks, which can impact their academic or professional performance.
Causes of Gaming Addiction
Numerous factors can cause a gaming addiction. As with any other form of addiction, genetics can play a major role. Addictive behaviours can run in families and manifest in a variety of ways. One family member can develop an addiction to drugs, but another can have a gambling addiction.
Another cause of addiction is the video games themselves. Single-player, narrative-driven games are meant to be engrossing and many players can find themselves caught up in the game. Multiplayer games can trigger the brain’s reward system with constant loot drops.
Games that require players to grind in order to gain Experience Points can also get players addicted, as consistent ‘levelling up’ can trigger the brain’s reward system.
Another way that games make it hard to stop playing is through updates. By regularly dropping new content, games can entice players to keep playing.
Like other forms of addiction, a person’s mental health can be a factor. Many people can turn to video games to cope with stress, trauma, or disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Because of how massive online gaming has become, peer pressure can also drive a person towards video game addiction, as friends and family members who regularly play video games can influence a person’s behaviour.
Our Rehab Treatment Can Help You With Your Gaming Problem
Many people play video games. It’s a common hobby. That said, there are people out there who, often because of circumstances beyond their control, struggle with a gaming addiction.
Like other forms of addiction, a gaming addiction is not a simple matter of just saying ‘no.’ Addiction, any addiction, is a complicated disease that is caused by more complex factors than willpower or the lack thereof.
But regardless of what caused a gaming addiction, the right treatment can help a person recover. At Sivana Rehab, we can offer those struggling with addiction the care and support they need to overcome their concerns and retake control over their futures.
FAQ's
Is There an Instant Cure for Video Game Addiction?
No, there is not an instant cure for video game addiction. Even if a person were to stop playing video games, they may still have to struggle with cravings, which can have detrimental effects on their mental health.
Is Gaming a Coping Mechanism?
Gaming can be a coping mechanism for some people. It’s not uncommon for people to play around in a digital world to escape their troubles in the real one.
How Does Gaming Addiction Develop?
Gaming addiction can develop due to psychological rewards, such as dopamine release from in-game achievements, and social factors, such as forming online friendships.
Genetic predispositions and environmental factors, such as stress and the accessibility of video games, can play major roles. Over time, prioritising gaming over responsibilities can reinforce the behaviour.
When Does Gaming Become an Addiction?
Gaming can become an addiction when a person’s gaming behaviour begins to affect their day-to-day life. While many people play video games, they do not do so to the point that it negatively impacts their health and relationships. When it gets to this point, professional treatment may be a necessity.