Understanding Video Game Addiction

With the rise of smartphones, handheld consoles, and immersive online platforms, video games have become more accessible than ever before. 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. While gaming can be a fun and enriching activity for most, excessive gaming can lead to big problems that mirror other forms of addiction.

As with any compulsive behavior, ease of access can accelerate its development, especially for those already vulnerable due to underlying mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression.

When Does Gaming Become an Addiction?

Video game addiction, also known as internet gaming disorder, occurs when gaming begins to interfere with key areas of life, such as work, school, relationships, sleep, and physical health. This often includes:

• Neglect of responsibilities despite negative consequences

• Inability to cut back or control gameplay

• Preoccupation with gaming, even when not playing

• Emotional distress when unable to play

• Social Isolation – few healthy in-person social relationships.

For many problems in school, work, relationships, money, health, hygiene, and other basic forms of self-care, they are often not compelling enough reasons to deter gaming compulsions. This is known as problematic gaming.

Binge gaming describes gamers who play excessively for extended periods, such as an entire weekend or for months on end, before taking a break. For others, gaming becomes a near-constant part of daily life, often reinforced by watching gaming content on YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok. There are both mild and severe forms of video game addiction, and every case is unique. 

The recent emergence of eSports betting further complicates the issue, merging behavioral addiction with elements of gambling. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable.

How Does the Brain Respond to Video Games?

Video games are highly stimulating and are specifically designed to engage the brain’s reward system, primarily by releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation and pleasure. We feel it naturally when we accomplish something small, like taking out the trash, or exciting, like riding a roller coaster. 

Each level passed, enemy defeated, or reward earned gives the brain a dopamine boost, often stronger and more immediate than natural sources of reward. Over time, the brain may become accustomed to this level of stimulation, leading to a decreased ability to experience pleasure from everyday activities— a phenomenon known as dopamine desensitization.

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 are specifically designed to keep players engaged for as long as possible.

The Mental and Physical Toll of Excessive Gaming

Without proper limits or treatment, excessive gaming can lead to:

• Anxiety and depression

• Sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue

• Social withdrawal and isolation

• Declines in academic or job performance

• Physical ailments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, chronic headaches, and poor posture

• Nutritional deficiencies and sedentary health risks, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes

Without proper treatment, teens and young adults with gaming addiction risk developing a myriad of medical and mental health issues. Worse, they may fail to create a bright future for themselves.

How to Begin Recovery From Gaming Addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with compulsive gaming, here are several strategies that can support change:

1. Eliminate easy-access games. Uninstall gaming apps from your phone and restrict access on devices used for work or school. Use apps that block or limit access to game apps on your phone or computer.

2. Set Clear Boundaries on Usage

Establish specific times when gaming is allowed, and more importantly, when it is not. Build structured routines that include activities such as physical movement, creative hobbies, and socializing. Schedule out the rest of your day with things to do so you don’t feel like you have time for more games. If you’re struggling on your own, invite a trusted friend or family member to monitor your usage and help you set limits.  

3. Designate Game-Free Zones

Sometimes, simply seeing the console is enough to trigger the urge to play. Especially when spending time with loved ones, keep games out of the room or hidden away until you intentionally go to play them. Out of sight, out of mind.

4. Involve Trusted Support

Ask a family member or friend to help you stay accountable. Whether it’s monitoring screen time or providing emotional support, connection is key to recovery.

5. Treat Underlying Mental Health Conditions

Gaming can become a way to cope with untreated anxiety, depression, ADHD, or mood disorders. In such cases, medication and therapy may be part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

How Therapy Can Help

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatment options for video game addiction. It can help individuals:

• Recognize and change distorted thought patterns

• Identify emotional triggers that lead to excessive gaming

• Build alternative coping strategies

• Develop healthier habits, routines, and self-regulation skills

Therapy can help you better understand and work through the underlying thoughts and feelings that lead to compulsive behaviors like gaming. There may also be root cause issues you are unaware of, such as using gaming to cope with deeper life problems. A psychologist can also help teach you alternative coping skills, track your progress over time, and incorporate healthier structures into your life.

You’re Not Alone—Help Is Available

Video game addiction is real, and recovery is possible. If you’re noticing the signs in yourself or a loved one, don’t wait to seek help. Therapy offers the tools and support needed to move toward balance, health, and lasting change.

Ready to Take the First Step?

We specialize in therapy for teens and young adults navigating behavioral addictions, mental health challenges, and life transitions.

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