Video Game Addiction: How Treatment Can Help
As a therapist who has also worked for over 20 years in the gaming industry, I understand the highs and lows of gaming.
I’ve played video games for nearly my entire life, and it hasn’t always been easy to keep gaming balanced alongside other life priorities.
I understand that it is possible, though - many people who have had struggles with gaming in the past have managed to find ways to change their habits. My work with clients who are dealing with video game addiction focuses on helping them find realistic, sustainable ways to enjoy gaming without it overshadowing their well-being, relationships, or personal goals.
Am I Addicted to Video Games? Signs and Symptoms
If you’re wondering, “Am I addicted to video games?” there are some signs and patterns to look for that might indicate a problem.
Video game addiction (or “gaming disorder”) becomes an issue when gaming starts to interfere with your daily life, responsibilities, and well-being.
Here are some indicators to help determine if gaming is affecting your life in unhealthy ways:
Neglecting responsibilities: If gaming takes priority over work, school, or important tasks, it may be a sign of addiction.
Loss of interest in other activities: Losing interest in hobbies or relationships that used to bring enjoyment can indicate a growing reliance on gaming.
A sense that something is wrong: You might be feeling secretive about some aspect of your gaming, such as hiding the amount that you’re playing or trying not to acknowledge the impact that gaming is having on other areas of your life.
Inability to control gaming time: Feeling compelled to play for longer than intended or having difficulty cutting down time spent on games are common signs.
Mood changes when not gaming: Irritability, anxiety, or restlessness when not gaming may suggest dependency on games for emotional regulation.
Gaming as an escape: If you often turn to gaming as a way to avoid stress or cope with difficult emotions, this pattern can contribute to problematic use.
Recognizing these signs is the first step toward building a healthier relationship with gaming. If you identify with several of these symptoms, reaching out for support could help. Many treatment options, including therapy and support groups, are available to help you create a balanced relationship with gaming.
My Approach to Therapy for Video Game Addiction
When working with clients experiencing challenges around video game use, my approach is centered on balance and sustainable change rather than immediately focusing on eliminating gaming entirely. For some people, the goal may be to step away from gaming completely - for others, more moderation might be the goal.
I first start therapy by assessing the impact of gaming on a client’s life and determining with the client what their goal is for therapy. For teens, this also involves making sure that the family agrees on the goal so that we’re all working toward something that seems supported and attainable.
Once we’ve come to a shared understanding of what we’re working on and aiming toward, I use evidence-based techniques to help clients develop a healthy relationship with gaming while maintaining a well-rounded lifestyle. My approach generally involves the following components:
Harm Reduction: For many, video games are a source of enjoyment, social connection, and even stress relief. My focus is on harm reduction, which means finding ways to reduce negative impacts of gaming without asking you to stop altogether. We’ll explore patterns and triggers that lead to excessive play and work together to set realistic limits, focusing on enjoying gaming responsibly.
Motivational interviewing helps us uncover and clarify your goals and values, making it easier to align your habits with a lifestyle you want to maintain. Through open-ended questions and supportive discussions, we’ll identify what gaming means to you, why it’s important, and how to incorporate it as part of a balanced life without interfering with your health, relationships, or responsibilities. We’ll also identify the areas where it may be harmful, and get a better idea of what gaming in a positive, healthy manner may look like for you.
Balancing gaming with a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a balanced lifestyle doesn’t mean giving up what you love. I help clients integrate gaming into their life alongside healthy habits like regular exercise, quality sleep, and social connections. I work with clients to create a customized plan that lets them enjoy gaming while nurturing other interests and responsibilities that contribute to a fulfilling, sustainable lifestyle.
If gaming has started to feel more like an obligation than enjoyment or is creating tension in your daily life, therapy can help you regain control, set healthy boundaries, and find the balance that works for you.
Therapy for Video Game Addiction
Effective treatment often involves therapy to address the habits and thought patterns underlying gaming addiction. Here are some evidence-based therapeutic approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most common forms of therapy for video game addiction. I use it to help people understand the link between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and to actively develop new coping strategies for underlying problems, including anxiety and depression.
Motivational Interviewing: As mentioned above, motivational interviewing is a core part of my work with all addictions, particularly gaming. This approach focuses on building motivation to make changes and setting goals that are in line with your wishes and values.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This therapeutic approach involves understanding deeper emotional patterns, and can be especially useful in uncovering deeper beliefs that fuel anxiety and addiction.
Family Therapy: For teens, involving family members can improve outcomes. Family therapy addresses communication and conflict resolution to reduce the impact of gaming on family dynamics.
These therapies provide actionable strategies to help manage gaming habits, build motivation, and address the broader issues connected to gaming addiction.
The Role of Lifestyle Changes in Recovery
Video game addiction treatment often includes lifestyle changes to create a balanced relationship with technology. Here are some strategies to support recovery:
Setting Boundaries on Screen Time: Creating limits around gaming can help reduce dependence and make room for other activities. Setting a schedule for gaming can help to create limits, but I also recommend scheduling activities away from gaming so that scheduling is not only about eliminating gaming, but also about getting you into other activities you enjoy.
Finding Alternative Hobbies: Engaging in hobbies such as sports, art, or social gatherings can fulfill the need for enjoyment and relaxation. If something is holding you back from doing this, such as social anxiety, therapy can be a huge help in making a change.
Building Healthy Routines: Establishing routines with set times for exercise, sleep, and non-screen-based activities helps reduce the impulse to game excessively.
In my experience, it’s important to not just focus on reducing video game time, but to also figure out other goals that we’re pointing toward. It’s not really motivating to simply talk about not doing something that you love anymore. We need to also figure out what makes that meaningful, and what you’d be pointing your time and energy toward instead.
Lifestyle changes should be in service of making your life more enjoyable and meaningful. This is a key part of therapy - helping you to find more balance between different parts of your life so that you’re not relying on one single thing for enjoyment and comfort.
Support Options for Video Game Addiction
Therapy is an extremely helpful treatment for video game addiction, but I suggest that clients dealing with any kind of addiction seek out additional support as well. For addiction, the more support is built into your day-to-day life, the more likely you are to adopt new habits that become reliable and regular.
Some options include:
Virtual Support Groups and Programs: Many online communities focus specifically on video game addiction, allowing individuals to connect with others facing similar challenges. Some of these are strictly online (Healthy Gamer has great resources for gaming addiction and related emotional challenges), and others have local options.
Apps and Resources for Accountability: Apps for screen time management, mindfulness, and habit tracking can complement therapy and support long-term recovery. Some apps to look into include:
I particularly recommend support groups, because social support is helpful in managing any addiction. Recovering from addiction is difficult to do alone. Going through it with like-minded people who support you makes it easier to bounce back when you have setbacks, and gives you extra motivation to keep going when things feel difficult.
Tips for Parents of Teens with Gaming Disorder
If your teen is struggling with video game addiction, a few steps can help you manage their screen time and build healthier habits together:
Encourage Open Communication: Understanding why your teen games can provide insight into their motivations and allow you to address any underlying issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Set Boundaries Together: Work with your teen to set screen time limits and decide on alternate activities that they enjoy. Creating a plan together is important.
Seek Professional Guidance: A therapist can provide your teen with structured support, helping you create a healthy balance for your teen.
As a parent, balancing support with boundaries is essential. By working with a professional, you can navigate these changes together and help your teen develop healthier habits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Video Game Addiction Therapy
What’s the difference between a video game hobby and addiction?
A video game hobby is something you enjoy in moderation, balancing it with other activities. Addiction, on the other hand, involves an inability to control gaming time, leading to negative impacts on life, work, or relationships.How do I know if my gaming is out of control?
If gaming is causing problems in your daily life, relationships, or mental health, it may be time to take a closer look. Signs of out-of-control gaming include neglecting responsibilities, avoiding social interactions, and feeling irritable when not gaming.Is video game addiction recognized as a mental health disorder?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized "gaming disorder" as a mental health condition, which is defined by impaired control over gaming habits. However, while some may develop a serious addiction, others may experience milder symptoms that still impact their lives. Understanding where you or your child falls on this spectrum can help guide the most appropriate level of treatment.What causes video game addiction?
Video game addiction can develop from various factors, such as the built-in rewards of games, social connections made online, and underlying mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. The immersive nature of games can make them especially appealing, and over time, this can lead to excessive gaming as a way to cope or avoid certain aspects of life.Can video game addiction be treated successfully?
Yes, video game addiction can be effectively managed and treated with the right approach. Success often involves a combination of therapy, support from family or friends, and setting practical goals. Working with a therapist who understands the nature of gaming can make a big difference in developing realistic strategies for reducing gaming time and enhancing other parts of life.