Are you looking for a rehab center to help you with your video game addiction? Video game addicts can face daunting challenges that affect not only the person playing the game, but also their loved ones. Omega Recovery understands the difficulty of this addiction and is here to put you and your loved ones on a healthy path. Our team of experts is committed to providing personalized care and support focused on each patient’s unique needs. Our goal is to help people who struggle with video game addiction overcome challenges and get back on their feet. At Omega Recovery, we believe in the power of healing and personal growth and are dedicated to helping everyone we serve achieve their greatest potential.
video game addiction
Experts are investigating whether playing video games too much can lead to addiction. The game is almost half a century old, but research into its impact is still in its early stages. Opinions vary as to whether problematic games should be classified as addictions. Pursuing fun activities is great, but I’m concerned about hobbies turning into toxic obsessions.
The 2018 International Classification of Diseases by the World Organization now includes “gaming disorder” as a condition. However, the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 lists only gambling as a possible addiction, not gaming disorder.
Video game addiction plagues both parents and medical professionals. Video games can be fun, but they can also lead to harmful addictions. These effects, such as poor academic performance, social isolation, and reduced physical activity, can vary and affect individuals suffering from video game addiction. Excessive video gaming can lead to depression, anxiety and insomnia for some. Although the American Psychiatric Association has not classified it as an official disorder, video game addiction can still have a significant impact on a person’s life. It is important for parents to constantly monitor their child’s gaming behavior and for individuals to recognize when it is becoming a problem.
If you find that your video game habits are affecting your daily life, it is imperative to seek help as video game addiction is a real condition that can lead to a variety of problems. Neglecting obligations, missing important opportunities, and damaging relationships with close people are examples of potential consequences. Excessive use of video games can lead to physical and mental health problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, poor sleep, anxiety and depression. If you feel your game is spiraling out of control, it’s important to take action before things get worse. Seek professional help first, or join a support group. It is an important first step towards finding balance again and experiencing the joy of living a healthy and enjoyable life.
Signs to watch out for
DSM-5 has a section outlining red flags for problematic video games, whether played online or offline. This information is useful for individuals and doctors.
To determine if you or someone you know is having a problem, check if you haven’t had 5 or more of these signs in the past year. These standards are proposed in DSM-5 and apply to yourself, your partner, children or friends.
- Thinking about games all the time or often
- I feel bad when I can’t play
- I need to spend more and more time playing to feel better
- Unable to quit or even reduce play
- I don’t want to do other things that I used to love
- Gaming is causing problems at work, school, or home
- play despite these issues
- Lying to people close to you about your playing time
- Using games to relieve bad moods and emotions
It’s important to note that not all games played excessively are necessarily addictive. Experts say labeling an avid gamer as problematic can be detrimental. However, we acknowledge that a limited percentage of players meet video game addiction relief criteria. It is estimated that between 1% and 9% of gamers, both adults and children, experience this condition. This is observed more often in boys and men than in girls and women.
What is Video Game Addiction?
According to Greenfield, the brain mechanisms underlying video game addiction are comparable to those involved in other types of addiction. This is because games stimulate the same receptors that cause substance abuse and gambling, making it difficult for the brain to distinguish between drugs and video games.
Greenfield says the brain chemical responsible for pleasure and reward is the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine played a pleasing role in mating and feeding, survival activities important from an evolutionary point of view, and made humans more likely to continue with those activities.
Video Game Addiction Support at Omega
If you or someone you love is over-gaming and feels like it’s the only thing they’re good at, there’s a solution. It may have started as a harmless hobby, but it’s important to recognize when it becomes an unhealthy obsession. Don’t resist the idea of reducing your game. Doing so can greatly improve your daily life. Asking for help can be the first step in making a change. You can also find helpful information on our website and connect with understanding professionals who can help you and your family overcome new clinical challenges and get your life back on track.
Recovery offers an 8-week program created by Dr. Nicholas Caldaras, a renowned expert in technology and gaming addiction treatment and author of the best-selling “Glow Kids.” The program is designed to address not only gambling addiction, but also the underlying issues that may contribute to gambling addiction, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, poor resilience, self-esteem, shame, trauma, and difficulty finding purpose in life.
Dr. Caldarus’ program addresses underlying issues and includes a digital detox. A detox allows for self-discovery and long-term recovery. Master-level therapists trained by Dr. Kardaras and certified by NIDHW engage with game clients. When individuals are working with psychodynamic issues to develop a stronger sense of their true identity, which is not shaped by behavior.
Get help now
Do you or a loved one need help with video game addiction? It’s a tough battle, but you don’t have to fight it alone. Trust the Omega Recovery experts to guide you towards recovery. Our experts understand the challenges involved in overcoming addiction and know how to support you every step of the way. We provide a safe and nurturing environment where healthy coping mechanisms can be learned and healing can begin. Don’t let video game addiction control your life any longer. Call (512) 601-5407 today to contact Omega Recovery and take the first step towards a brighter future.
