The internet and video games have established themselves as captivating entertainment sectors in today’s society. They have also influenced our community, particularly impacting not only children and adolescents but also all people across ages.

However, the development in the gaming industry is not without disadvantages. Recent data show that many people who tried occasional gaming have developed a problematic behavioral pattern that leads to addiction.

In this article, join us as our experts from Luxe Recovery explore gaming addiction and some ways to break free from its vicious cycle and help people recover and regain their wellness.

What is Gaming Addiction?

Gaming is experiencing significant growth and is increasingly being recognized as a severe disorder. People may exhibit a range of symptoms related to their gaming habits, and the intensity of these symptoms can profoundly affect their daily functioning. Each individual may display a distinct combination of symptoms and issues, generally characteristics of a gaming disorder.

Historically, problem gaming was only considered an abnormal behavior rather than an illness. However, because it poses a threat to many people, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently and officially classified gaming disorder as a mental health condition.

Specifically, gaming disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of gaming behavior that leads to compulsive engagement in gaming activities. These repetitive behaviors often result in gaming being prioritized above all other pursuits, including academic responsibilities and personal interests.

Furthermore, problematic gaming behavior tends to persist or even escalate, despite the negative repercussions it may have on familial relationships, educational commitments, and social interactions.

For an individual to receive a diagnosis of gaming disorder, the behavioural patterns exhibited must be sufficiently severe to result in considerable adverse impacts on various aspects of life, and the symptoms associated with gaming disorder should persist for a minimum duration of 12 months.

How Prevalent is Gaming Addiction?

The issue of gaming disorder has emerged as a significant global challenge. In various countries, researchers and mental health practitioners are diligently working to ascertain prevalence rates and formulate effective treatment approaches for problematic gaming behaviors.

Recent studies indicate that the prevalence rates of gaming disorder among gamer populations are considerably higher. For instance, a study revealed that 17.8 per cent of a worldwide sample of adult online gamers fulfilled the criteria for gaming disorder.

Overall, findings consistently show that gaming disorder predominantly affects males; however, the increasing number of female gamers suggests that gender disparities may diminish in the future.

Is Gaming Entirely Bad?

The quick answer is no. Similar to other behaviors that provide rewards, such as eating, sexual activity, gambling, alcohol consumption, social media engagement, and shopping, gaming exists along a spectrum that ranges from non-problematic recreational play to compulsive and pathological gaming.

People can be positioned anywhere along this continuum, with those at the end of problematic gaming facing significant adverse effects due to their gaming habits.

In contrast to young people who engage in gaming for limited durations, who can easily conclude their gaming sessions and participate in a diverse range of online and offline activities, some people develop an intense desire for gaming during periods of inactivity.

These individuals may find themselves mentally absorbed in the gaming environment, experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and restlessness when not engaged in gaming. Furthermore, they may prioritize gaming over their offline relationships, academic responsibilities, and even personal care.

Is Gaming Entirely Bad?

People can be positioned anywhere along this continuum, with those at the end of problematic gaming facing significant adverse effects due to their gaming habits.

How to Quit Gaming Addiction

Treatment approaches must be tailored to the individual, necessitating an understanding of the specific motivations, circumstances, and hallmark symptoms that contribute to the gaming addiction or disorder. It is crucial to recognize the potential underlying factors that may cause gaming.

Therefore, seeking the assistance of experts and professionals is essential in providing support for people suffering from this addiction. Some of the common practical tips to gradually quit are:

Recognize Own Addictive Behaviors

Most of the time, people with an addiction, do not recognize the extent of their problematic gaming habit. Typically, it starts with an occasional gaming pattern and it becomes a habit. Eventually, it leads to lifestyle and addiction.

Knowing and understanding that you have a problem is crucial in the recovery process. After all, finding solutions to a problem you know nothing about is extremely difficult.

Set a Strict Game Time and Try Other Activities

Experts agreed that there should be a limit on screen and gaming time per day. With the various forms of screen engagement and gaming platforms, such as smartphones, laptops, or tablets, it is easy for screen and gaming habits to accumulate rapidly.

Suppose there are concerns regarding the amount of time spent on gaming. In that case, it is advisable to restrict playtime to no more than 30 minutes to one hour daily to ensure that gaming habits do not affect personal duties and responsibilities.

To assist in managing this time, setting an alarm or taking notes can be effective strategies. Some people may find this arrangement difficult at first. Hence, they may need to engage in other alternative activities where they can focus their attention while gradually adjusting to the new routines.

For instance, participating in physical activities serves as an excellent method to balance screen usage while enhancing overall health. Furthermore, promoting interests such as reading or engaging in creative arts can offer valuable alternatives to screen-oriented pastimes.

Share Your Concerns with Your Family and Friends

Inform your family and friends about your concerns about compulsive gaming and your intention to reduce your gaming time. Effective communication of your goals is vital, as it enables your loved ones to offer their support in your endeavours.

If sharing this feels too intimate, you might simply express your desire to engage in more social activities. Arrange opportunities to spend time with friends, such as going for hikes, biking, or participating in school events.

Seek for Gaming Addiction Treatment

More than reducing gaming time, trying out other or alternative activities, and sharing your struggles with your family and friends, the most effective way to recover from gaming addiction and prevent relapse is to seek early professional help.

They can provide you with appropriate treatment, guidance, support, and additional strategies to overcome gaming addiction. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength and is considered a proactive step towards complete recovery.

Gaming Addiction Treatment

Like other types of behavioral addictions, problem gaming and related concerns are addressed through various therapeutic methods. Many skilled mental health professionals and addiction experts employ an evidence-based strategy, which includes:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is recognized as one of the standard psychological treatments for gaming disorder. Numerous research studies have highlighted its application in addressing this condition.

It is based on the working principle that our thoughts influence the way we feel and act. This therapeutic approach enables people struggling with gambling to transform their thought processes, substituting those that contribute to compulsive gaming with more constructive mental patterns.

As the name implies, CBT empowers a person to adjust their thoughts, emotions, and ultimately their behaviors in a positive direction.

The initial phase of CBT typically concentrates on the behavioral components of the gaming disorder, gradually transitioning in later stages to fostering positive cognitive beliefs.

Throughout the therapeutic process, individuals struggling with gaming addiction are encouraged to recognize and challenge their distorted beliefs, transforming them into more constructive alternatives.

Furthermore, the cognitive-behavioral framework emphasizes the importance of self-monitoring thoughts to pinpoint emotional and situational triggers that contribute to their gaming disorder.

Motivational Interviewing

Typically, an individual’s ambivalence serves as a significant barrier to change, rather than a deficiency in knowledge or skills about the process of change. Hence, therapists aim to tackle these issues of ambivalence through the application of Motivational Interviewing (MI).

This therapeutic method is characterized by its person-centred approach, emphasizing empathy and support to facilitate transformation.

MI represents a collaborative strategy that enables individuals to examine and reconcile their ambivalence concerning changes in their gaming behaviors.

The approach prioritizes enhancing motivation and commitment to change by engaging with the individual’s personal goals, values, and apprehensions.

This therapeutic intervention can assist individuals in bolstering their readiness to implement constructive changes in their gaming practices.

Group Therapy

People who have addiction, including gaming problems, frequently experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. In this context, Group Therapy has emerged as a well-regarded intervention for substance and behavioral addictions, offering an alternative treatment option.

This therapeutic approach fosters a supportive and accepting environment, allowing participants to openly discuss their experiences, challenges, and struggles, and find validation.

A key advantage of group therapy is that it reassures individuals that they are not alone in their journey through addiction. In essence, group therapy serves as an important source of encouragement and emotional support, particularly for those who may have distanced themselves from friends or peers due to their problematic gaming habits.

Signs and Symptoms of Gaming Addiction

Recovery from gaming compulsion begins with recognizing the problem, particularly, compulsive gaming. While some people may find their gaming habit falls into the normal range, an individual is likely to be suffering from gaming disorder when the following signs and symptoms are met:

An intense focus on gaming manifested by persistent thinking of past gaming experiences, coupled with an eagerness for future gameplay. As a result, gaming emerges as the primary engagement in one’s daily routine.
Self-imposed isolation to guarantee uninterrupted play.
Gaming is used as a means to alleviate adverse emotional states, including feelings of guilt, anxiety, distress, or despair.
The amount of time being spent gaming continues to increase.
When the individual stops playing, it leads to withdrawal symptoms, which are frequently characterized by feelings of irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and depression.
They tend to mislead family members or others about the duration of time dedicated and spent to gaming activities.
People exhibiting heightened gaming symptoms may experience elevated levels of depression and a greater propensity for aggressive behavior.
They lose interest in social relationships, previous hobbies, poor job performance, disengage with school, and other entertainment as a result of compulsive gaming.

Causes of Video Game Addiction

While the exact causes of gaming misuse remain, data from research studies identified some risk factors that can make people susceptible to developing the condition. These include but are not limited to the following:

Genetics: If some of your family members such as your parents or siblings have a history of problem behaviors particularly those who play video games, you are also prone to developing gaming addiction.
Psychological: Being impulsive, a sensation seeker, having a desire for instant gratification, and being introverted are personality traits that are linked to developing gaming compulsion.
Environmental: If you have experienced prolonged exposure to life stressors such as physical, emotional, and sexual traumas and neglect, then these factors may increase your likelihood of developing problematic gaming behaviors later in life as a way of coping.

Overcome Your Gaming Problem with Luxe Recovery

While gaming compulsion remains a complex condition, the scientific community is actively expanding its understanding of its aetiology, progression, characteristics, and treatment options.

If you suspect that you or someone you know may be experiencing a gaming-related issue, Luxe Recovery advises you to seek assistance from experts so that they can guide you and educate you about this condition to gain insight.

Given its global prevalence, individuals facing challenges related to problematic gaming need not confront their struggles in isolation. Our compassionate team of experts and dedicated staff are here to support you in your recovery journey.