For those seeking solitude from a life of addiction there is hope. Gaming disorder treatment that makes a difference is more available today than ever before. Whether it is your own life, or someone you care deeply about, the light at the end of the gaming tunnel is there. Gaming disorder treatment facilities offer a safe environment, with qualified and experienced professionals available at every step of the way toward recovery. Sometimes the biggest step an addicted individual can take, is the first small one in the right direction. Recognizing a problem, and taking the initiative to seek help in improving one’s life is a remarkable accomplishment. And a sure sign that recovery is possible.
What Qualifies Someone As Having A Gaming Disorder?
Perhaps what started as an innocent form of entertainment, now seems like more of a serious problem. How does one tell? According to the WHO (World Health Organization) and as defined in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), a gaming disorder is a pattern of gaming behavior – whether it be digital-gaming or video-gaming- characterized by impaired control over gaming use. Also defined as an increasing priority given to gaming over more important activities such as work, family, and personal obligations. Indeed to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences. But, for a gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behavior pattern must be evident for at least 12 months. With sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
For family and friends, gaming disorder treatment is needed for someone who has checked out of their life. When they spend every moment of their free time gaming, a red flag is dropped. An example could be when their work life struggles, such as drop in performance, or a short temper that is easily flared up from anxiety from not playing video or digital games. Another example is a lack of interest in activities that were enjoyed before the gaming addiction, such as outside walks, family dinners, or quality time spent talking about one’s day. For couples, a partner that has a gaming disorder may show a lack of interest, and intimacy in their relationship. For a parent, an addicted child may seem like a disinterested stranger- easy to anger, and hard to pull back into their daily normal activities. However you or a loved one is experiencing video game addiction, there is hope for reclaiming a healthy life back. Reaching out for gaming disorder treatment addiction services is a step in the right direction. Services from a qualified and high success rate center, such as Maui Recovery, are available and ready to help with every step of the way.
Gaming Disorder Treatment Addiction Services Available
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A very common therapy for individuals struggling with online gambling addiction to experience destructive and negative thinking or maladaptive thought patterns. Since our cognition affects our wellbeing, changing harmful thought patterns will help clients recognize their ability to practice alternative ways of thinking. An active therapeutic modality, CBT is present-oriented, problem-focused, and goal-directed.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative and therapeutic conversation between licensed clinicians and clients that addresses the common problem of ambivalence for change. As defined by William Miller, the creator of MI, its purpose is to strengthen a person’s own motivation for and commitment to change, in a manner that is consistent with the person’s beliefs and values.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): Similar to CBT, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) helps clients identify, challenge, and replace their destructive thoughts and convictions with healthier, adaptive thoughts. Empirical studies demonstrate that this process incites emotional well-being and goal achievement. This can be especially helpful for those in need of video game addiction, as refocusing goals can be supportive for recovery.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT teaches clients how to regulate their emotions to reduce the self-destructive behaviors that derive from extreme, intense emotions. Primarily a skill-building approach, DBT focuses on the development of four key skill sets; Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Mindfulness (to live in the moment and fully experience emotions), and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MSBR): Developed by Dr. Jon Cabot-Zinn, MSBR is a sequential method that teaches the individual who is struggling with racing and impulsive thoughts on how to be in the “here and now”. By focusing on the breath or on an object in the room, the client slowly becomes able to collapse their awareness into the present moment.
Experiential Therapies Including Psychodrama: Many clients, especially younger clients, trapped in addictive and dysfunctional lifestyles, often benefit greatly from action-based and potentially transformative experiences. In psychodrama, the client can relive scenes from earlier in their lives that may have been turning points or “stuck” points in their addictive slide. The client is able to relive – and through the help of the clinician – change the toxic scene into one of breakthrough and empowerment.
Recovery-Oriented Challenge Therapy: Sometimes also called Adventure Therapy or Outdoor Behavioral Health (OBH), this evidence-based technique is centered on an activity or “adventure” in which a clinical professional can actively engage with clients. Examples include group challenges, outdoor activities, ropes courses, games, or other skill-building healing activities. They are designed to help clients identify strengths and skills, build social support, strengthen their sense of focus or control, and address basic recovery issues. These groups also assist with the development of self-care, boundaries, accountability, and trust. In addition, just being outdoors and immersed in nature has itself been proven to be therapeutic for a person stuck in a sedentary and addictive indoor lifestyle. At some luxurious addiction treatment centers such as Maui Recovery, Equine Therapy and Surf Therapy are also offered to clients in a setting that is pure paradise.
Maui Recovery Specializes in Video Game Addiction Treatment
There is now a dedicated specialized program at Maui Recovery to effectively treat video game addiction specifically. Dr. Kardaras, our Co-CEO and Chief Clinical Officer, is considered one of the world’s leading experts on digital addiction (social media, video games, smart phones, etc.) and treatment. Kardaras is the author of “Glow Kids” (St. Martin’s Press, 2016). Glow kids is a seminal book on the clinical, neurological and sociological aspects of digital/technology addiction. Over the past 10 years, Kardaras has worked clinically with hundreds of young people in need of video gaming addiction treatment. There is hope in recovery, taking the crucial steps in acquiring gaming disorder treatment addiction services is key.
