There are many types of addiction, and not all involve drugs. Some addictions involve a lack of impulse control when people engage in certain activities. Gaming addiction is one example. The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to add this relatively new addiction to its upcoming list of diseases. If you believe your loved one is struggling, it may be time to look for process addiction treatment.
At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we are committed to helping teen boys put an end to their addiction, whether they’re battling substance use or process addiction, such as gaming addiction. To that end, we offer a range of treatment options, all of which we can tailor to your teen’s unique needs. For more information about our gaming addiction treatment program, please get in touch with our team today at 866.300.5275.
Gaming Addiction Is a Process Addiction
Process addictions, otherwise known as behavioral addictions, is a condition that is characterized by overwhelming impulses to engage in specific behaviors in spite of adverse consequences. When your teen has a behavioral addiction, they will experience an elevation in mood, which is often followed by guilt or shame after the fact. Today, there are a variety of process addictions, such as:
- Gambling addiction
- Social media addiction
- Smartphone addiction
- Sex or love addiction
- Food addiction
- Shopping addiction
A video game addiction is a process addiction. It’s also very similar to internet gaming disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This manual helps psychiatrists and psychologists diagnose mental disorders.
Finding a gaming addiction treatment center is vital because this disorder can lead to the development of others. For example, some video games also encourage gambling through the use of loot boxes. People buy them with real money with the chance of getting the custom skins or weapons that they want. This behavior simulates real-life gambling and is dangerous because gambling is addictive.
Video Game Addiction Symptoms
Before you can look for gaming addiction treatment, you must determine if your loved one really needs the help. They must also meet certain criteria or conditions for experts to diagnose them.
The first criteria of gaming addiction is a teen’s impaired control when it comes to playing. Basically, they don’t have control over how long or how often that they play games. Next, they have to give increased priority to video games. The activity takes over their lives to the point that it takes precedence over daily activities and other interests.
Lastly, they have to continue gaming despite the habit having negative consequences. Keep in mind that these conditions have to occur over the course of a year. People who get really into a new game and play a lot for a few days don’t have an addiction.
The only exception is when the symptoms of video game addiction are severe enough to take immediate action. This problem usually occurs when people’s health or lives are at risk because of their strong obsession with games. When their lives are at risk, video gaming addiction treatment is a top priority.
Getting Help at a Gaming Addiction Treatment Center
Like any addiction, people shouldn’t try to overcome video game addiction alone. In fact, those who suffer from this addiction also experience withdrawal when they stop playing. The symptoms typically include anger, depression, boredom, and loneliness. With proper treatment, though, it’s possible for them to overcome addiction safely.
At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we’re proud to offer gaming addiction treatment for our clients. We provide a wide array of treatment options, which we tailor to the needs of the boys that we assist. Our treatment options include:
- Adventure therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Individual therapy
- Equine-assisted therapy
In addition, wilderness, group, and family therapy are good options for teen video gaming addiction treatment. Wilderness therapy is especially helpful because it gets people outside. It also promotes lifelong growth and personal development.
Group therapy helps because it gets people to interact with others face to face. Many people who suffer from gaming addiction only interact with people over the internet. As a result, they start to lose touch with reality and the social norm.
Foothills Is Here to Help with Gaming Addiction Treatment
At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we offer addiction treatment for adolescents, including those with gaming addiction. Our adolescent treatment center offers the following:
- Trauma treatment
- Co-occurring issues
- Individual and group therapies
- Experiential therapy
- Exercise therapy
Foothills at Red Oak Recovery provides the help and support teens and their families need to get back on track. Don’t let your teen become a victim of video game addiction; learn more about gaming addiction treatment. Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 for more information.
