While illegal narcotics, prescription medications, and alcohol are the most often connected substances with addiction, anyone can become hooked on nearly anything. In the United Kingdom, many people are addicted to gambling, shopping, and sex, while others are addicted to food or dieting. Gaming is becoming a problem for a significant number of individuals, especially children and teenagers and can also originate withdrawal symptoms.
Children enjoy playing games. Isn’t that a nice thing? Even adults require time to unwind and enjoy leisure activities, which may involve gaming. The issue is that some people are prone to gaming addiction like others are prone to becoming alcoholics. The truth is that gaming addiction is just as real as any other addiction.
Because we commonly link addiction with chemical substances, society has been resistant to acknowledging gaming addiction. However, when the obsessive behaviours of compulsive gamers are compared to the behaviours of drug and gambling addicts, many parallels emerge. We don’t hesitate to call gaming addiction what it is.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. Treatment providers can answer your questions. Get in touch with one today.
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Gaming addiction, also known as gaming disorder, video game addiction (VGA), and computer games addiction, is one of the newest types of addiction emerging. There is still dispute regarding whether it should be classified as a separate diagnosis. Regardless of its exact medical classification, video game addictions have caused misery and suffering to many people in recent decades, and an increasing number of people are now being treated for it in the UK and around the world.
Gaming addiction is defined as the compulsive playing of video games to the point where it causes physical or mental impairment and other negative consequences for the player. Some people are unable to stop playing video games for extended periods, which can have serious health consequences – in fact, a few fatalities have been linked to such long periods of gaming. Others may be able to stop after a while and alternate their gaming with periods of work or academic activity. Still, they cannot break free from their gaming obsession and allow it to control their lives.
Gaming addiction has been related to a wide range of health concerns, including some significant mental health illnesses. Although there is no medical consensus on whether gaming addiction should be considered a separate disorder, the neurochemical basis of behavioural addiction is becoming better understood: changes in brain chemistry, particularly in the brain’s reward centres, drive a compulsion to continue playing video games despite any negative consequences. Meanwhile, a growing amount of experiential research indicates the devastating effects of gaming addiction on a person’s relationships, social life, worldview, life prospects, and overall well-being.
Some addiction experts believe that certain games (such as Fortnite) are more addicting to gamers than cocaine or heroin are to drug addicts. When you understand the rewarding process associated with addiction, this makes a lot of sense.
Every time heroin or cocaine is consumed, the user experiences a certain level of pleasure. Pleasure is a direct result of the activation of reward centres in the brain. The same may be said for video games. Gaming differs from other forms of entertainment because the benefits are more frequent and tangible. Whereas the drug act only makes the user ‘feels wonderful,’ the player reaps additional benefits. The gamer gets a buzz from accomplishing tasks; they are challenged to advance to the next level, and they are rewarded for conquering opponents or adversaries. With gaming addiction, the rewards keep on coming with each completed level.
Despite the lack of consensus among medical experts throughout the world on the unique status of gaming addiction, the World Health Organization (WHO) included “gaming disorder” under “Disorders Due to Addictive Behaviors” in its diagnostic manual “International Classification of Diseases” in 2018.
According to the WHO definition: “A pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour, online or offline, manifested by: impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context); increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”
Since its commercial introduction in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the internet has proven to be an excellent medium for global culture. But, as with anything good, there is the potential for disaster. This is especially true when it comes to online engagement. According to some estimates, more than 46 million Britons of all ages are somehow addicted to the internet. The majority of the problem is due to gaming and social media.
The difficulty with video games is that they allow gamers to act out in ways that would never be tolerated in real life. Players can adopt several identities that will enable them to be anybody they choose in their virtual environment, even if they could never be those people in real life. For people who are easily absorbed, this skill can be harmful.
Experts consider the following internet games as some of the most addicting:
The category considered to have the most addictive games are those categorised as large multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Why? Because these comprise a multitude of factors that necessitate complete devotion to the game to be successful. These role-playing games include a continuing plot that is never fully completed. The plot progresses with each play, inviting players to return to continue the story.
However, even less demanding games like Angry Birds and Solitaire can contribute to gaming addiction by providing gamers with something to do in their spare time.
Even though many people believe there are no risks to gaming, it can have significant consequences on individuals who are addicted. Video games have become increasingly popular among children and teenagers thanks to their realistic graphics and narratives. Many kids choose to play games rather than engage with real people, and their social life concentrates on playing online games.
Not everyone who plays video games develops an addiction. It is reasonable for people to play video games for a certain amount of time each day or week, while for others, playing video games or thinking about playing consumes every waking moment.
Addiction is described as a compulsive need for a specific substance or activity. When someone is addicted to something, they will disregard other aspects of their existence. They will continue to act destructively even when they are well aware of the negative consequences.
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As the above WHO definition demonstrates, the type of gaming to which an individual may become addicted can include both online and offline play; indeed, any game or a mix of games could conceivably become addictive, and as with any form of addiction, each case is unique (though with some apparent commonalities). In practice, however, most video game addicts focus their addiction on online gaming (though it is important to note that this does not mean that offline gaming does not also form part of any given case of addiction).
Because certain video games contain gambling elements (whether with real-world or in-game currency), excessive play may be a sign of gambling addiction rather than gaming addiction. Similarly, some adult-themed games contain pornographic content, whose persistent viewing may be indicative of a pornography addiction rather than a gaming addiction. In contrast, certain social-media-related components may drive compulsive involvement in others, possibly indicating a social media addiction (currently an area of significant study).
The distinction between such compulsions and gaming addiction may be unclear. Numerous addictions may be present in any one case, or these compulsions may be symptomatic of a larger and more complicated condition. Treatment for someone suffering from such a combination of compulsions would have to be more individualised. However, it would almost certainly include components of the treatment currently available for gaming addicts.
Because there is no consensus among medical professionals on how to classify gaming addiction, there is no widely accepted list of the stages through which the problem progresses. Also, because each scenario is different and may include completely different games than the next, any such list should only be used as a general guide to how the condition can appear. Nonetheless, the following are some common steps to consider:
It’s important to remember that, contrary to popular belief, video gaming does not always turn into an addiction; it may be a fun way to unwind, and a means to meet new people and socialise electronically.
A person suffering from gaming addiction will exhibit both physical and psychological/emotional symptoms.
Some of these symptoms can be caused by other types of stress, so it’s crucial to consider the whole picture when determining whether or not someone has a gaming problem.
If someone in your family spends long periods in front of a computer or gaming console, this does not necessarily indicate that they are addicted to gaming. However, when that time is combined with the warning signs shown below, it suggests a concern. If there’s a chance someone has an addiction, it’s always preferable to catch it early and get help.
Depression and other mental illnesses have been linked to both the cause and the consequences of gaming addiction. Depression can make a person feel indifferent and gloomy about the future, making long-term career or academic goals seem less important and enhancing the appeal of seemingly insignificant but immediately fulfilling activities like computer gaming.
The often solitary and effectively meaningless nature of computer gaming makes it even more dangerous in this regard. Various vicious cycles can emerge as an affected individual’s self-worth is eroded by loneliness, fatigue, obesity, poor hygiene, an inability to communicate effectively with others, diminished employment or career prospects, guilt and shame, and even poor performance within a game or games.
It is not rare for a person to suffer from more than one addiction simultaneously, and many behavioural addictions are frequently found to co-occur with drug abuse disorders. Co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis) usually need more extensive therapy than that provided to people who simply have one addiction.
According to certain studies, video gamers are less prone to acquire substance abuse disorders because their brain’s reward centres are activated in the same way they would if they were using drugs. However, it is evident that in some cases, gaming addiction evolved after the onset of a drink-and-drug addiction, whereas in others, it pre-existed.
There is no universal “recipe” for gaming addiction, just as there is no universal “recipe” for addiction in general: medical authorities agree that various factors can cause addiction, and displaying a combination of many well-known risk factors for addiction does not guarantee that a person will become addicted.
However, as our knowledge of the disorder improves, several risk factors have been identified as leading to increased game addiction rates. These are some of them:
It’s important to note that as the computer gaming business has matured and both hardware and software have advanced, so have gaming companies’ awareness of the features of a game that create addictive behaviour. Many game developers have put a lot of effort into maximising their software’s ability to keep players coming back for more, especially those creating games that demand or are made significantly easier by financial expenditure (including micro-transactions), and the psychology behind such mechanisms can be bizarrely impressive (and frequently undetectable by the gamer).
While no mainstream developer would publicly admit that their goal is to make addicts out of their players – just as the gambling industry declares that its goal is to provide “fun” to gamblers – there is little doubt that one of the primary causes of gaming addiction is developers’ increased sophistication in driving repeated – if not constant – engagement.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. Treatment providers can answer your questions. Get in touch with one today.
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As with any behavioural or otherwise addiction, the best way to avoid acquiring a gaming addiction is never to play video games. However, such complete abstinence may be overly cautious among those who have not formed an addiction. As previously stated, gaming can be harmless leisure that provides a great deal of enjoyment and a good (and cost-effective) means of relaxing as part of a balanced life. Indeed, several studies demonstrate that some games, when played in moderation, can be helpful in terms of problem-solving abilities, coordination, and even general knowledge.
Here are several prevention tips for those who want to engage in video gaming but want to avoid the risk of addiction:
Gaming addiction is not well understood because many people perceive video games to be innocuous. Gaming addiction, however, can have significant physical and mental implications. Gaming addiction can lead to various physical health problems, including headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, difficulty sleeping, backache, and poor personal hygiene.
However, folks who have a gaming addiction face more than just physical concerns. There are also a variety of societal ramifications. Those who become absorbed in video games may become isolated and unable to engage with others in real life. This may impact this person’s ability to form solid bonds in the future.
Adults who have a gaming addiction may see a decline in their personal connections. Gaming addicts who are married will see their marriage suffer as a result of their addiction, while children of gamers may feel neglected and experience emotional problems as a result.
Others may simply not want to be around those who have become obsessed with gaming to the point that they have nothing else to talk about. They cannot maintain good interpersonal interactions and may be drawn even further into the virtual world of gaming.
Addiction to video games can have a negative impact on a teenager‘s future chances. Those that spend all of their free time playing video games may ignore their schoolwork, resulting in low academic achievement. This, in turn, will impact their capacity to find a suitable career.
In comparison to other addictions, such as substance abuse disorders, gaming addiction has a relatively minor short-term impact (though that is not to say non-existent).
Many of the more severe dangers and repercussions take time to manifest.
In the short term, the most significant risk is connected with games that need real money to be spent (above and beyond any initial purchase price). If a gamer is unable to control their spending, games with microtransactions – particularly certain mobile games – can quickly result in bills totalling hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of pounds, and a growing number of people have been financially ruined as a result of their reliance on such cash hungry-games.
Serious health problems can arise in the short term as a result of gaming addiction. Still, in some cases, if affected individuals progress very quickly into extreme addiction, a lack of sleep or proper hydration and nutrition can have catastrophic consequences, even after only a short time. Similarly, job loss or academic expulsion due to non-attendance may happen if a significant addiction develops at this rate.
Gaming addiction can be extremely harmful in a variety of ways over time. Withdrawing from social life and neglecting important relationships can lead to persistent fractures with family and friends, resulting in lifelong regret (as well as, potentially, permanent obligations as a result of divorce). Financial collapse and the collapse of work or academic settings can undoubtedly have long-term consequences for life chances.
Isolation can induce intense loneliness, melancholy, a loss of self-worth and any damage produced by the loss of vital relationships (perhaps also manifesting in issues such as poor hygiene mentioned earlier). Interacting with people may become more difficult, resulting in a vicious spiral of growing isolation. Gaming’s inherent meaninglessness can cause existential distress and the consolidation of a sense of purposelessness, leading to melancholy and even suicidal ideation. Despite the absence of clear evidence, there have been links between compulsive video gaming and acts of violence, including murders.
Obesity is caused by a lack of activity and a typical bad diet among many gamers, with health effects including cardiovascular and pulmonary difficulties, diabetes, and various other fitness-related illnesses. Sleep deprivation over long periods can result in lasting neurological damage and a variety of mental health conditions, including psychosis and even death. As previously stated, the repetitive actions involved with gaming can cause carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury and a variety of other musculoskeletal and brain issues.
Speak to us on 0800 999 1083 to discuss treatment options and to find the best alcohol rehab centre.
We are aware of the devastating effects that gaming addiction can have on individuals. Gaming addiction treatment is identical to addiction treatment for any other sort of addiction. We collaborate with private residential clinics, local support groups, charities, and the NHS.
Gaming addiction treatment may include a time of abstinence and activities that force the person to learn how to function in the real world. When it comes to juvenile gaming addiction, it may be required to focus on their social skills, as these adolescents frequently cannot communicate appropriately with others. They’ve spent so much time in a virtual environment that they can’t engage with people in the actual world.
Gaming addiction can be treated similarly to other behavioural addictions such as gambling, sex, and general internet addiction. It begins with determining the severity of the condition based on the signs and symptoms that have been noticed. Therapists then create individualised treatment regimens that are effective when followed to the letter.
The following six concepts usually guide treatment:
The goal of gaming addiction treatment is to achieve absolute abstinence finally. Abstinence is the only true cure, as we say in the world of substance abuse and addiction. We believe the same is true when it comes to gaming. Only by entirely ceasing to engage in the activity that triggers compulsive behaviour’s rewards can a person truly overcome the addiction.
The difficulty in treating gaming addicts reflects the fact that technology is such an integral aspect of modern life. Gaming addicts will almost certainly be unable to resist technology entirely, so they must learn how to use it appropriately and aim to achieve gaming abstinence rather than technology abstinence.
Many programmes use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), but other models like motivational therapy (MT), motivational interviewing, art therapy, fitness therapy, and others are also available. The precise composition of a treatment plan is usually determined after assessing each individual by the relevant facility staff.
Thankfully, several counsellors and therapists specialise in helping people overcome their gaming addictions. If you or someone you care about is suffering from gaming addiction, please get in touch with us on 0800 999 1083 for guidance and support on how to deal with the problem. We are here to assist you and look forward to receiving your contact.
There is no “silver bullet” pharmaceutical cure for video game addiction; instead, as previously stated, treatment involves a wide range of techniques, almost all of which are based on psychotherapy. While research into pharmaceutical treatments is ongoing, any such solution will be years away if it is ever discovered. Some of the unwanted effects of gaming addiction, particularly physical health issues that may have arisen, can be treated with medication. Always check with your doctor before starting any new drug.
Compare Rehab UK’s team is ready to assist you with your gaming addiction. We collaborate with treatment providers across the United Kingdom to provide our clients with the best chance of overcoming their addictions. Rest confident that we analyse each client individually before recommending appropriate treatment facilities and programmes.
For the first time, the value of the UK’s video gaming industry surpassed that of its music and video industries combined in 2018.
Over 7% of people who play online games describe themselves as “dependent,” according to a survey from 2008. Meanwhile, according to a 2016 study done by University of Oxford academics, 1% of people experience “severe anxiety” if they cannot play online games at their leisure. Boys have been demonstrated to be much more prone to video gaming addiction than girls in every relevant study.
According to various studies, the MMORPG (massively-multiplayer online role-playing game) genre is the most addictive gaming format; as many as 44% of players of World of Warcraft, the world’s most popular MMORPG, self-described as “addicted,” and Google searches for “world of warcraft addiction” yield around 30 million results.
Fortnite, an online game with over 200 million players worldwide, was included in over 200 divorces in the United Kingdom in 2018.
No matter where you live, there are drug and alcohol rehab options for you to discover. Treatment providers are waiting to answer your questions. Get started today.
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