What We Treat
Gaming
Addiction
Online Gaming Addiction Treatment
Video games have come a long way from the days of Pong. In this day and age, video games feature eye-popping graphics and heart-racing action and come in various genres. Gaming consoles such as Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PS5 allow gamers to play with and against people from all over the world. Gaming allows teens to escape daily stresses and connect with peers, but some teens can fall too far down the rabbit hole. In some cases, teenagers’ preoccupation with gaming interferes with their family obligations, schoolwork, and friendships.
This article will further discuss gaming addiction, the signs and symptoms of gaming addiction, and the importance of gaming addiction treatment. If your son or daughter’s preoccupation with gaming is taking over their life, teen gaming addiction treatment will help them break free from gaming. Thrive Teen provides online gaming addiction treatment programs that are evidence-based, proven to work, and personalized to meet each teen’s unique needs. Call us today!
Teen Gaming Addiction Statistics
Official teen gaming addiction statistics are scant at best, but the available statistics show an increasing trend in addiction to gaming in teenagers. A study published by the American Psychiatric Association shows wide-ranging figures. It is estimated between 0.32% and 1.04% of participants in the study had an internet gaming disorder, and another 3.88% to 8.71% were preoccupied with internet gaming. Between 4.47% and 11.95% of participants reported a loss of control, 4.57% to 9.29% said they developed a tolerance, and 3.08% to 5.20% said they experienced withdrawal.
Currently, there is some debate about whether gaming addiction is an addiction. While some researchers agree that gaming can be an activity that can lead to addiction, some researchers believe that excessive gaming is an impulse control disorder. Additionally, other researchers believe gaming is a behavioral addiction. While researchers are undecided whether gaming addiction is indeed an addiction, teens who engage in gaming and place priority on gaming over other activities, along with physical or psychological health and social functioning, could indicate problem behavior.
Is your teen losing control over gaming? The teen gaming addiction treatment program at Thrive Teen can restore physical and psychological balance. Call Thrive Teen today and learn more about our gaming addiction therapy programs and other services.
How Does Excessive Gaming Affect the Teen Brain?
Currently, researchers have yet to determine exactly how excessive gaming affects the brain. However, it is believed that the process of playing and winning games triggers a substantial release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the brain’s “feel good” chemical that plays a key role in pleasurable rewards and motivation. When teens immediately start a new game or return to gaming after a short time away from the console, they engage in a phenomenon commonly known as a dopamine loop. This loop starts with engaging in the game, and when it’s over, gamers can feel anxious and incomplete. To return to “normal,” they start a new game and thus start the cycle.
Some studies indicate that excessive gaming likely hinders brain development in teenagers. Excessive gaming triggers pathways in the brain with similar effects as those who engage in drug use. The constant engagement of these pathways and dopamine release may reinforce gaming behaviors to the point of becoming addictive. Researchers have noted that excessive gaming causes increased activity in the thalamus, which would reinforce impulsive or addictive behavior. Gaming addiction can lead to other process addictions and even substance abuse. Teen gaming addiction treatment programs such as the one offered by Thrive Teen Treatment can help teens uncover the underlying roots of their behavior. Call Thrive Teen today and help your teen regain balance in their life.
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What are the Signs and Symptoms of Gaming Addiction in Teens?
The following are the common signs and symptoms of gaming addiction seen in teenagers:
- Poor performance at school, work, or household responsibilities as a result of excessive video game playing.
- Withdrawal symptoms, such as sadness, anxiety, or irritability, when games are taken away or gaming isn’t possible.
- A need to spend more and more time playing video games to get the same level of enjoyment.
- Giving up other previously enjoyed activities and/or social relationships due to gaming.
- Being unable to reduce playing time and having unsuccessful attempts to quit gaming despite the negative consequences it’s causing.
- Lying to family members or others about the amount of time spent playing video games.
- A decline in personal hygiene or grooming due to excessive video gaming.
- Using video games as a way to escape stressful situations at work or school or to avoid conflicts at home.
- Using video games to relieve negative moods, such as guilt or hopelessness.
If your teen displays any combination of these symptoms, your son or daughter will need the professional help found through an addiction gaming therapy program. Thrive Teen offers evidence-based teen gaming addiction treatment that is extensively tested and proven to help your teenager break the cycle of gaming addiction for good. Call us right now.
How is Teen Gaming Addiction Treated?
For those diagnosed with gaming addiction, the main course of treatment is therapy. The most common therapy used in teen gaming addiction treatment is psychotherapy. Commonly known as talk therapy, psychotherapy allows clients to identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that keep them stuck in addictive behaviors. Through the help of an experienced therapist, clients will develop healthy behavior and thought patterns that support new ways of thinking.
Common psychotherapies used in online gaming addiction treatment include the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
Video game addiction in teens may also be connected with mental illnesses such as ADHD, depression, or anxiety. It may be suggested that your teens undergo a comprehensive evaluation to see if a mental disorder exists. It is important to see the signs and symptoms of gaming addiction early so you can get professional help for your teenager. Thrive Teen is one of Southern California’s top-tier treatment facilities. We offer time-tested gaming addiction therapy programs that help your child break free from gaming addiction. Call Thrive Teen Treatment today and get your teen the help they deserve.
Help Your Teen Overcome Gaming Addiction With Help From Thrive Teen
Gaming can be a great escape from the daily stresses associated with being a teenager. However, gaming can grow excessive and become addictive. If your teen is obsessed with gaming, Thrive Teen Treatment can help. Our gaming addiction therapy program helps your teen understand the consequences of excessive gaming and gives your teen the tools and support to overcome gaming addiction. Help your teen regain control of their life and call Thrive Teen today.
