Although it may seem more harmless, an addiction to video games is just as severe as any other addiction. For example, a person can experience the same withdrawal problems as an individual addicted to drugs and alcohol. Today, gaming has gotten so big that watching others play attracts massive crowds for entertainment. Plus, did you know that roughly 2/3 of all American households now play video games?! With technology reaching new heights every year, and pandemics keeping most at home, online gaming addiction can happen faster than ever before.
For many gamers, spending all of their free time playing video games is not uncommon. Their personal and social lives suffer because every moment of their spare time goes to virtual reality or online gaming. Behavior like this can even lead to lack of hygiene because an addicted person won’t take care of themselves properly. Further, there have been several comprehensive studies that show a strong connection between excessive video gaming and other psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, and personality disorders. No wonder the need for video game rehab centers is on the rise! Let the team at Maui Recovery help you shake your addiction. We take an innovative approach to gaming disorder treatment. Learn how our online gaming treatment center can help you or a loved one overcome addiction through self love and healing practices.
Physical Signs That Are Typical Of Online Gaming Addiction
Online gaming addictions take a toll on the mind and body just like any other addiction. Be on the lookout for these signs in yourself or a loved one:
- Complaints of frequent headaches.
- Complaints of eye discomfort and eye strain.
- Dry or red eyes.
- Soreness in the fingers, neck, and back.
- Receptive motion injuries in the fingers, wrists, and hands.
- Poor personal hygiene.
- Lack of sleep.
Entertainment such as video games or other online games are healthy in proper doses. But, when an individual begins to exhibit these symptoms, seek professional help quickly. Remember, seeking the right help without delay can help an addicted individual overcome addiction sooner.
What Is Considered An Online Gaming Addiction?
What can be considered an online gaming addiction? Is gaming addiction considered a mental health problem as well? According to the World Health Organization, the answer to that question is yes. In the past fifteen years, addiction to online gaming has increased substantially. In fact, the World Health Organization has added the disorder to their ICD-11, which is their diagnostic criteria manual. But keep in mind that playing a lot of video games for extended periods does not necessarily equal a gaming addiction disorder. In order for a person to be diagnosed with a gaming addiction, they must exhibit the symptoms listed in the ICD-11 for one year. Those affected by this disorder exhibit the same symptoms and withdrawal issues that are common in anyone addicted to any other substance or action.
The Prevalence Of Video Game Addiction In Today’s World
The prevalence of online gaming addiction disorder will depend on what study you review. Some studies have shown anywhere from 1-10% of video game players affected by this condition. And oddly, gaming addiction disorders seem to affect men more than women while also affecting certain age groups primarily. In example, online gaming addiction disorders occur more often in men ages 12-20. Doctors also diagnose this condition in people located in Asia more than in Europe and the US.
Other studies have broken down those with this condition into two categories, one based on their symptoms and the other the amount of time spent playing games. Individuals who fell into the extreme compulsion category played as much as 50 hours of video games each week. These particular individuals are definite candidates for learning how our online gaming treatment center can help, at Maui Recovery. Don’t let an addiction to online gaming ruin your life. Contact Maui Recovery today so we can help you with treatment options for your gaming disorder treatment.
Why Online Gaming Becomes So Addictive For Some Individuals
Video and online games are fun, they help to connect people from all across the globe. There are even some gamers who consider their “teammates” family, more so than their own actual family. This emotional tie that online gaming treatment candidates feel can also be chemically addictive. To keep a person playing a game, creators made sure to entice their users. In some games, that enticement happens by making a game more challenging for a user to get to the next level. In some games, there is no finality to look for. Searching for that finality, which does not exist, is what is enticing. In some people, however, that is a trigger. A person then compulsively plays the game looking for that end and gets a “high” off of completing more steps in the game. It is that compulsion or “high” that drives the addiction to online gaming. Learning the triggers and compulsions of online gaming addiction is best addressed with professionals that aid in treatment of these kinds of disorders. Such professionals can be found at Maui Recovery, or other online gaming treatment centers in your area.
There is now a dedicated specialized program at Maui Recovery to effectively treat this issue. Dr. Kardaras, our Co-CEO and Chief Clinical Officer, is considered one of the world’s leading experts on digital addiction and treatment. Digital addiction can include compulsive use of social media platforms, video games, online gaming, and smartphones. Dr. Kardaras is the author of “Glow Kids” (St. Martin’s Press, 2016) which 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 struggling with online gaming addiction and relatable “blue screen” disorders. Contacting Maui Recovery and their amazing professionals is a great first step in the right direction.
How Online Gaming Treatment Centers Accommodate During A Pandemic
A large portion of our programming involves our adventure guides helping residents find their true self in secluded nature adventures exploring the magical Island of Maui, away from tourists. While other programs are forced to create a new program strategy in this crisis, at Maui Recovery we continue with normal programming, as we already have the perfect system in place.
Contact Maui Recovery today to learn how our online gaming treatment center can help you or a loved one get their life back!
