Video Game Addiction Treatment
Are you or someone you care about struggling with video game addiction? Contact us today or keep reading to learn how Sober House Philadelphia can support your recovery and help you regain control through effective video game addiction treatment options.
You can also call us at (267) 412-3258
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Video games have significantly evolved over time, becoming a widely accessible source of entertainment and relaxation for people of all ages and backgrounds. However, recent studies involving adult gamers in North America and Europe indicate that between 0.3% and 1% of the population may be affected by video game addiction.
As gaming becomes more mainstream and immersive, the risk of developing unhealthy gaming habits continues to grow. In response to these concerns, recovery providers like Sober House Philadelphia offer supportive programs designed to help individuals overcome behavioral addictions and work toward long-term recovery.
You can also call us at (267) 412-3258
What Is Video Game Addiction?
Video game addiction is a form of process addiction recognized by the World Health Organization as a pattern of gaming behavior where individuals struggle to control their impulses, leading to compulsive gaming habits. The WHO also notes that excessive gaming—especially online—can have harmful real-life consequences, particularly for younger individuals who may be more vulnerable.
For adults, video game addiction can interfere with everyday responsibilities, such as work performance and personal relationships. Many begin to seek help once these impacts become unavoidable. Recognizing the warning signs early is crucial. By identifying addictive behaviors and addressing withdrawal symptoms, treatment providers can offer targeted programs and effective tools to help individuals regain balance and break free from compulsive gaming.
Does Sober Offer Video Game Addiction Treatment?
Sober House Philadelphia partners with The Heights Treatment—an outpatient facility recognized by many leading American addiction centers—to offer a private and accessible path to recovery for individuals struggling with Internet Gaming Disorder.
While Sober House Philadelphia is not an inpatient treatment provider, it plays a crucial role in helping individuals transition from mental health or process addiction treatment into stable, long-term recovery. Think of it as a supportive partner—much like a liaison working closely with treatment centers and inpatient facilities—to guide individuals through the early and often vulnerable stages of their recovery journey.
Sober House Philadelphia takes a holistic approach to recovery, emphasizing personal growth, education, and consistent emotional support. Whether someone is healing from drug addiction, substance abuse, alcohol dependency, or other mental health challenges, our goal is to help them rebuild a strong foundation for lasting change.
Unlike substance-based addictions, behavioral addictions like gaming disorder may benefit from a wider range of treatment options, including outpatient care and alternative therapies. Sober House Philadelphia connects individuals with trusted partners and resources to support their recovery—offering a stable, sober living environment where healing can continue day by day.
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What Causes Video Game Addictions?
Excessive video gaming can develop into a serious mental health concern over time. While research on video game addiction is still emerging—and more evidence is needed before it’s fully defined in diagnostic manuals—many specialists point to the brain’s reward system as a key factor. The instant gratification and sense of escape that games offer can lead to unhealthy patterns of behavior.
At Sober House Philadelphia, we understand how important it is for specialists and partnering treatment centers to identify the underlying triggers behind this addiction. A proper diagnosis is essential before any medical advice or personalized treatment plan can be offered. With the right support and structure, long-term recovery from video game addiction is absolutely possible.
What Are The Health Risks And Concerns With A Video Game Addiction?
Spending excessive time gaming can take a serious toll on both mental and physical health. When video game use becomes compulsive, it can lead to long-term consequences for individuals of all ages—including both teens and adults. Without early intervention, this behavior may result in emotional distress and physical strain. Some of the potential risks associated with video game addiction include:
Sedentary Lifestyle
Hours spent using a mobile device or desktop computer can take a toll on someone physically. Lack of physical exercise and poor fitness regimen results in weight gain and poor posture, putting players at greater risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular-related conditions. Repetitive strain injuries brought about by constant computer game use may worsen these longer-term.
Impaired Focus And Concentration
Here’s a humanized and professional rewrite of your paragraph for Sober House Philadelphia: — Video game addiction—particularly with fast-paced, action-heavy games—can greatly affect a person’s ability to focus and stay engaged. For children, excessive gaming can lead to a decline in academic performance and interfere with essential skills like reading and active listening. In adults, the situation may become even more serious when a gaming addiction is paired with a substance use disorder, compounding the challenges they face in daily life and recovery.
Induced Violence And Aggression
Games that focus on violence, combat, or intense conflict can sometimes lead to increased aggression in young players. It’s important for parents and caregivers to stay involved—keeping an eye on both the amount of time kids spend gaming and the types of games they’re exposed to. Encouraging balance and healthy boundaries can help minimize negative influences and promote emotional well-being.
What Are Signs Of Video Game Addiction?
Like many behavioral addictions, video game addiction often comes with recognizable signs. Individuals may display both emotional and physical symptoms that indicate a deeper issue. If you suspect a friend or loved one is struggling with excessive gaming, being aware of these signs can be the first step toward getting them the help they need.
Emotional Symptoms
Agitation
A person struggling with video game addiction may find it difficult to remain calm or focused when not gaming. Signs of withdrawal or agitation can include restlessness, pacing, frequent fidgeting, or an inability to engage in other activities for more than a few minutes—often reflecting growing frustration from being away from their games.
Isolation
Withdrawing from personal relationships and losing interest in once-enjoyed hobbies are key indicators that someone may be struggling with video game addiction or an underlying mental health concern.
Preoccupation
Gaming can dominate a person’s thoughts, making it difficult for them to focus on anything else and causing them to neglect essential responsibilities and priorities
Physical Symptoms
Migraines
Excessive gaming has been linked to the onset of migraines, even in individuals with no prior history of them.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repeated, long-term gaming sessions using electronic controls—such as keyboards, gamepads, or mice—can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, a wrist condition that causes pain, discomfort, and numbness in the hands and arms.
Fatigue
Gaming-related exhaustion has been linked to numerous deaths in recent years, as some individuals sacrifice essential sleep and self-care in order to continue gaming for extended periods.
What Are The Side Effects Of Video Game Addictions?
Like many mental health disorders, process addictions such as video game addiction can lead to short-term issues like malnutrition and insomnia, and may strain or even damage personal relationships. Over time, excessive gaming can also result in significant financial loss—particularly when job responsibilities are neglected or illegal gambling is involved. In the long run, this addiction may contribute to emotional issues such as aggression, anxiety, and depression.
Individuals struggling with video game addiction are strongly encouraged to seek help from a qualified treatment provider recognized by reputable organizations such as the American Addiction Centers. Proper treatment can help address the root causes, manage withdrawal symptoms, and support long-term recovery.
How Do You Stop Video Game Addiction?
While gaming in itself isn’t inherently wrong, excessive playing of video games may lead to a gaming addiction, which in turn may pose a bigger problem for people. Some ways to cease gaming addiction is to first, set game time schedules and adhere to them at all times. Next, you could consider other productive hobbies, such as creative or physical activities like sports or art therapy.
If these first options do not work, you can then resort to addiction treatment from recognized treatment centers. There are American addiction centers that approve treatment programs or treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, for one, to help someone’s addiction to video games. This is perfect when individuals may suffer from additional mental health issues, like substance use disorder on top of their addiction disorder.
Apart from seeking help from a treatment center, you may also avail yourself of supplementary arrangements, such as sober mentoring to help you in this process of recovery.
How Do You Seek Help With a Video Game Addiction?
Early detection is essential in addressing video game addiction before it evolves into a more complex behavioral or psychological issue. Working with a licensed addiction or compulsion therapist can help individuals confront and manage the compulsive behaviors driving their addiction.
Behavioral modification approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are particularly effective. These therapies help individuals recognize and reframe the obsessive thought patterns and behaviors associated with excessive gaming.
Group therapy is another valuable tool in treatment, offering patients moral support, shared experiences, and a sense of accountability. Support groups can foster personal growth and motivation as individuals strive to regain control of their lives. In cases where video game addiction coexists with a deeper mental health condition—such as anxiety or depression—a dual diagnosis is often necessary to determine the best course of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.
Family involvement plays a crucial role. Loved ones are encouraged to approach the subject of therapy with compassion and open communication. For younger individuals, mental wellness centers often provide specialized programs such as adolescent mentoring and youth empowerment initiatives, which focus on life skill development and emotional resilience. These tailored programs help young patients better understand and process their mental health struggles.
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Is there video game addiction treatment near me?
“Overcoming video game addiction is a challenging journey, but recovery specialists at Sober House Philadelphia offer individuals a renewed opportunity to regain control of their lives.”
“While Sober House Philadelphia primarily serves the local community, it works closely with trusted treatment partners across the country to ensure individuals can access the support they need—whether in Philadelphia or beyond. For those struggling with video game addiction, referrals can be made to specialized facilities like The Heights Treatment, which offers modern rehabilitation services, personalized care plans, and evidence-based therapies tailored to each individual’s recovery journey.”
“At Sober House Philadelphia, you’ll be supported by compassionate staff and connected to a trusted network of addiction specialists and healthcare providers. We foster a strong sense of community, where residents can bond with peers, share experiences, and stay motivated throughout their recovery journey. Whether you’re overcoming video game addiction or another behavioral challenge, you’ll find the structure and support needed for long-term healing.”
Call our recovery specialists at Sober House Philadelphia today at (267) 412-3258 or fill out our contact form to learn how joining our Philadelphia sober living community can help you reclaim your life. Whether you’re seeking clean and sober housing, structured transitional support, or simply someone to talk to — we’re here for you.