Video Game Addiction Treatment: When It’s Needed, Options, & Prevention

What is Video Game Addiction?

A video game addiction is a condition in which someone’s video gaming has exceeded their capacity to control it. That person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are preoccupied with the desire to play video games. Consequences of the addiction vary in severity, but often yield undesirable personal and social implications.

Signs of video game addiction include:¹

• Preoccupation or obsession with video games
• Withdrawal symptoms when not playing video games
• A build-up of tolerance—more time needs to be spent playing the games
• The person has tried to stop or curb playing video games but has failed to do so
• The person has had a loss of interest in other life activities, such as hobbies
• A person has had continued overuse of video games even with the knowledge of how much they impact a person’s life
• The person lied to others about their video game usage
• The person uses video games to relieve anxiety or guilt—it’s a way to escape
• The person has lost or put at risk an opportunity or relationship because of video games

Is Video Game Addiction a Mental Illness?

Currently, video game addiction is not a formally diagnosed condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) [DSM-5]. ²
The DSM-5 does, however, recognize process addiction as a mental health disorder, although gambling is the only condition formally named. ²

Accordingly, it is essential to consider what constitutes a non substance-related behavioral addiction which has criteria including the following:³

• Relying on the behavior to feel normal
• Continuing despite physical and/or mental harm
• Having trouble cutting down
• Spending the majority of your time engaging in the behavior
• Neglecting commitments such as work or school in favor of the behavior
• Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal (depression, irritation) when not engaging with the behavior
• Hiding the extent of the problem.

Despite not being recognized by the DSM-5, “gaming disorder” received formal recognition by the World Health Organization as a clinically diagnosable medical condition in 2019. ⁴
Considering that over 2 billion people worldwide acknowledge they play video games ⁵
, and approximately 3-4% of them (60-80 million) meet the criteria for what constitutes an “addiction,” it is a problem that warrants acknowledgment.⁶
Video game addictions seem to have a strong connection with individuals with an addictive personality and the new dilemma of internet addiction.

One of the challenges with formally recognizing video game addiction as a diagnosable disorder is a debate around whether video gaming is problematic enough to constitute a proper addiction condition. Indeed, one cannot overdose on video games. Insofar as society is concerned, video gamers seldom participate in violent crimes. They rarely place their own lives at risk, as they are busy gaming. So, is it that bad? Still, depending on the severity of the condition, it can become quite debilitating wherefore life obligations are concerned. So, yes, it is a problem worthy of attention.

What Can Parents Do to Break a Child’s Gaming Addiction?

Effective strategies in which parents/guardians may break a child’s gaming addiction include but are not limited to:

• Setting time limits for game play may include using timers or setting devices to turn off automatically once a designated time is reached.
• Removing videogame-accessible devices from the bedroom or other areas where frequent play occurs
• Engaging in family activities that do not include electronic media
• Encouraging children to become involved in extracurricular activities or part-time employment
• Having direct conversations regarding concerns about video game play
• Checking in daily to see how things are going socially, emotionally, academically, et cetera.
• Leading by example by not overusing electronic mediums yourself (particularly partaking in video game play)
• Seeking professional assistance.

The important thing is to find what works best for you. The more layers of reinforcement used the greater likelihood of successful recovery.

When to Get Help

The best means of treating any addiction, including video game addiction, is to intervene as soon as possible. The longer the condition goes untreated, the more invasive it becomes. Over time, associated thoughts, feelings, and behaviors involving gaming intensify.

Measures such as setting limits on gaming and living a balanced life outside of video gaming may prevent issues before they begin. Without having these in place, it is necessary to remain mindful of the impact gaming can have on one’s life. When gaming becomes more important than anything else in life and essential life tasks begin slipping, this is indicative of a problem.

Examples of problems from excessive gaming that warrant assistance include but are not limited to

• Calling off work or missing school
• Missing important work or school deadlines
• Detaching from social obligations or events where video gaming isn’t involved
• Distancing from people who are not video gamers
• No longer finding interest in past interests due to video gaming
• Prioritizing video gaming over the physical, mental, and spiritual health
• People commenting on the problem
• Feeling as though you have a problem but trying to deny it
• Thinking about gaming and wishing you were playing when you cannot

Professional assistance is recommended if self-help measures, such as those recommended in the following section, do not help.

Self-Help Strategies to Stop Video Game Addiction

The best self-help strategy to stop a video game addiction is to remove yourself from associated persons, places, and things that trigger gaming. Associate with those who do not play games, refrain from businesses (such as arcades) where gaming is prevalent, and remove or restrict devices that provide opportunities to game.

Gaming can go from excessive to more limited if someone is willing to be intentional and consistent with their focus on other activities. But for more extreme cases, it is recommended to go cold turkey. Over time, the process can and does become more manageable, although some days may prove more challenging than others.

Here are 12 ways to control your video game addiction:

1. Acknowledge the issue: Everything begins with awareness. By acknowledging the problem, one may intentionally focus on recovery.
2. Avoid persons, places, and things that trigger gaming: The less triggering stimuli one must face, the easier it is to avoid gaming. Think “out of mind, out of sight” here. This step may require you set boundaries with certain people who lead you to play video games.
3. Set limits and stick with them: If the end goal of curbing back on gaming or abstinence feels impossible, setting limits helps. A practical limit may be finding a free weekend hour when all other obligations are fulfilled. Setting solid goals that are healthy and attainable is the best way to accomplish this.
4. Get rid of gaming consoles: Though contemporary gaming consoles are more advanced and include options for media streaming and disc-watching, alternative options that do not offer gaming options may make playing games more challenging.
5. Be mindful of other accessible means: Deleting video games from computers and other accessible devices helps (removing games from the PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone). If this measure is taken, it is equally important to have the will power not to download new ones.
6. Listen to your heart and body: When you feel the urge to play video games, consider exercise to improve your mental health. This exercise doesn’t need to be strenuous but can be done through a light walk, hike, bike ride, or engaging in a team sport.
7. Take up other healthy hobbies: Other healthy hobbies may include reading, writing, listening to music, playing music, and guided meditation.
8. Get a part-time job: If you spend all your free hours after your full-time job gaming, consider getting a part-time job that fills those hours. If you still feel the urge to game but want to be productive about it, then maybe taking on a part-time job somewhere like GameStop is appropriate. If you can’t beat them, join them.
9. Become a game developer: One can make a living in the video game industry. If you are passionate about it, consider becoming a game developer. With gaming now your full-time employment, you might feel less inclined to play in your free time. Who likes doing work after work?
10. Have a trusted other hold you accountable: Having a trusted person check in with you and call out your gaming can go a long way. The two (or more) of you may be in this together. Your trusted other can help you see it through whenever you have a weak moment.
11. Join a support group: Support groups are helpful. Here, you have the benefit of others struggling with similar issues helping hold you accountable while sharing practical coping skills, resources, and otherwise.
12. Speak with a professional: When the condition has exceeded your ability, along with other nonprofessionals, to contain it, professional assistance is an appropriate course of action.

Gaming Addiction Treatment Options

Partaking in treatment settings, like any other addiction, individuals may participate in 72-hour detox, intensive outpatient (IOP), outpatient vs. residential (in-patient), and support group settings. People may effectively treat less severe conditions through virtual or in-person support groups. In contrast, more severe conditions warrant 72-hour detox followed by a residential stay in which one is completely removed from environments in which gaming may occur while focusing on recovery. A more common approach, however, is a traditional outpatient psychotherapy setting in which individuals work 1:1 with a trained, licensed professional.

Treatment Centers

Treatment centers focused on video gaming addiction are gaining popularity as more people begin gaming and, subsequently, become addicted to it. Options may include traditional 30, 60, or 90-day programs on-site. In some cases, summer camps or retreats serve this purpose. While in treatment, one may anticipate a combination of individual and group therapy, engaging in healthy activities, learning healthy coping skills, and working through other life issues. Beyond time away from gaming, the intention is to achieve a healthier overall lifestyle.

Costs can vary widely, but depending on settings, which range from more budget-friendly to luxurious, prices may range from $5,000-$80,000. ⁷
In some cases, managed care organizations for mental health (e.g., insurance companies) may reimburse expenses partially or whole. It is essential, however, to verify this before entry.

Therapy Options

Fortunately, there are various therapy options for video gaming addiction. Though treatment differs from traditional substance addiction options, they are similar in many ways. For example, one of the most common approaches for video game addiction is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A mental health professional and client work together to restructure maladaptive beliefs and values along with corresponding thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with gaming.

Therapists will also address these if other diagnoseable conditions or issues are present alongside problematic video gaming. This goal may be accomplished using CBT or a combination of therapeutic measures. Finding an online therapist that meets your specific needs can be daunting, but using an online therapist directory is the best place to start.

Final Thoughts

Video game addiction can be challenging to overcome, but recovery is possible. Video games offer a plethora of stimuli and are immediately reinforcing—the perfect combination leading to addiction. Further, they are widely accessible and tap into various interests (i.e., role play, sports, adventure, fantasy, popular movies, shows, etc.). But with consistent and intentional effort, recovery is likely. Fortunately, with ample intrinsic motivation, the prognosis is promising.