With the rise of gaming devices at home and on the go (via smartphones and other handheld devices), people have more immediate access to games than they did 30 years ago. Like most addictions, easy access is sometimes all it takes to consume you.

In moderation, gaming is an enjoyable activity or hobby that can add a lot to someone’s life. It offers the opportunity to socialize, sharpen cognition and reflexes, improve teamwork and empathy, and decompress after a long day. In excess, gaming addictions can be as detrimental as other addictions like alcohol, drugs, and gambling.

When Does It Become an Addiction?

Compulsive gaming turns into an addiction when play feels uncontrollable and disrupts your quality of life. Problems in school, work, relationships, money, health, hygiene, and other basic forms of self-care are often not compelling enough reasons to deter gaming compulsions. This is known as problematic gaming.

Binge gaming describes gamers who play excessively for specific periods, like throughout an entire weekend or for months on end before dropping off. There are both mild and severe forms of video game addiction. 

Constantly consuming gaming content can also worsen matters with the rise of YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok streaming. And now, there’s eSports gambling—an already addicting habit outside of video games.

How Does the Brain Respond to Video Games?

Dopamine is one of the brain’s pleasure neurotransmitters. We feel it when we accomplish something small like taking out the trash or exciting like riding a roller coaster. 

Video games are often set up with challenges to beat, levels to climb, and rewards to earn. Every move forward delivers a hit of dopamine, one that feels a lot more intense than knocking out a household chore. (Those with ADHD are especially susceptible due to naturally low dopamine levels and the ability to hyper-fixate on high-stimulating activities like video games.)

Without realizing it, your brain may become accustomed to higher dopamine levels and struggle to get it elsewhere. It doesn’t help that most games were specifically designed to compel play for as long as possible.

Without proper treatment, addicts risk developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. They may also experience physical pains and other conditions from excessive play and living a sedentary lifestyle like carpal tunnel, dry eyes, low vitamin D, diabetes, chronic headaches, seizures, angry outbursts, and malnourishment.

What Steps Can I Take to Recover?

If you’re looking to decrease your video game usage, consider these strategies:

• Eliminate easy-access games. This means apps on your phone, computer, or any other device you use for non-gaming purposes. Use apps that block or limit access to game apps on your phone or computer.
• Invite a trusted friend or family member to monitor your usage. Find an accountability buddy to check in with you about how much screen time you spend every day or week. 
• Pick specific times for games and specific times for you. Quitting cold turkey might be difficult. Instead, try to balance your relationship with gaming by setting aside specific hours for it. Schedule out the rest of your day with things to do so you don’t feel like you have time for more games. 
• Keep certain rooms game-free. Sometimes, simply seeing the console is enough to break and play. Especially when spending time with loved ones, keep games out of the room or hidden away until you intentionally go to play them.

Some people with an addiction turn to gaming to help manage mental health symptoms for pre-existing conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. In these cases, medication can be a great tool to decrease symptoms and gaming temptations.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you better understand and work through the underlying thoughts and feelings that lead to compulsive behaviors like gaming. Counselors can also help teach you alternative coping skills, track your growth over time, and incorporate healthier structures into your life.

If you are ready to get help and learn more about therapy for young adults, contact our office today.