For anyone deep in the comfort of escaping their life by playing video games, overcoming gaming addiction can seem pointless and impossible. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks to better research and studies showing how video game play interacts with the brain, more caution and addiction services are more available than ever before. While we still have much to learn about how various forms of technology play a role in a person’s intellectual and emotional well being, there is at least awareness for caution. Defined as compulsive or uncontrolled use of video games, gaming addiction can negatively impact areas of a person’s life. Gaming addiction is also considered a form of tech addiction, computer addiction, or internet addiction. Gaming addiction treatment has become an important tool for families as usage continues to expand, and addiction statistics are on the rise. Finding effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin: overcoming gaming addiction is essential to someone struggling being able to claim their life back. While gaming provides some entertainment and relaxation, it should in no way be the sole purpose of living life.
Statistics That Confirm Gaming Addiction Is Climbing At An Alarming Rate
In 2024, it is estimated that approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide are experiencing video game addiction, highlighting the significant prevalence of gaming disorder across various demographics and regions. According to ESA ( Entertainment Software Association ), in 2024, there were about 190.6 million people or 61% of Americans who play video games. With 41% of them playing daily, and 85% of those surveyed being teens. The concerning factor in these statistics is that approximately 10% of gamers will develop obsessive and compulsive behavior around their gaming use. This is especially of concern to parents, knowing that gaming abuse can severely affect their child’s life and ability to function normally. Unfortunately, gamers have above average intelligence, but get stuck in their gaming obsession and fail to thrive. Finding effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin: overcoming gaming addiction is important as soon as possible. And for kids, teens, and young adults- it is crucial at first signs of concern. Untreated gaming addiction can leave a person lost in their own life, devoid of necessary emotional and psychological regulations needed to thrive.
Who Is It That Needs Gaming Addiction Treatment And How Soon?
We get it. For most of us, what started out as a hobby…a bit of fun online that ALL your friends were doing… suddenly becomes your favorite pastime. What could be the harm in that? However, then you find yourself playing longer and longer…getting more obsessed with your gaming world and thinking about it nonstop. And in some rare cases, your gaming begins to feel like the only thing you are good at and desire to do. Almost all forms of addiction begin innocently, trying something new to reach a desired feeling. However, when your life seems to be going in all the wrong directions this tends to be a sign of needing a change. In searching for effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin: overcoming gaming addiction, who in your life inspired your search? Whether it is your own life and habits that bring you to this search, or a loved one, there are signs of addiction to be aware of.
- Feeling upset or angry when unable to game.
- Thinks about gaming constantly, or all of the time.
- Needs to spend more and more time playing to feel better in their life.
- Unsuccessful in being able to limit or quit gaming.
- Loss of interest in other activities once enjoyed.
- Having problems at school, work, or home because of gaming.
- Continuing to game without restriction, despite problems.
- Dishonest answers about the amount of time spent gaming.
If concerned about yourself, examine the warning signs mentioned above and decide how many of them relate to you. Of course, consider how much time you spend playing video games, but especially consider how you feel when not gaming. Do you find that game time gets in the way of your personal responsibilities and obligations? Does it seem like gaming comes up when there is a disagreement in valuable relationships in your life? Do you have less interest or have you stopped doing things you once enjoyed before you devoted more time to gaming? Have you ever made a commitment to yourself or anyone else to restrict your gaming time, but failed to follow through? These are important questions to ask yourself if in debate whether you need to find effective gaming treatment in Austin.
Always take into consideration the present state of your health, as this can be a huge indicator as well. Can you relate your gaming habits to negative issues like sleep disruption, unhealthy eating habits, weight fluctuations, physical discomfort, increased stress and anxiety, or other issues? When you’re not gaming, do you get sad, restless, or upset? Answer these questions honestly, and have anyone you are concerned about do the same. If you’ve found any warning signs, you can seek clinical assistance to decide whether you have a serious gaming problem and, if so, what recovery options are available. If you are at that place in your life, or a loved one perhaps, that is stuck in “the Matrix” and struggling in their day-to-day lives, there is a solution. Oftentimes, making a change is just taking the first step of asking for help. Or reading a website and realizing that there are caring professionals that understand this very new clinical problem and can help you or your family member get their lives back.
Finding Effective Gaming Addiction Treatment In Austin: Overcoming Gaming Addiction
Gaming addiction treatment centers are found more commonly than a decade ago, making recovery that much more possible for anyone seeking. However, not all addiction treatment centers are created equal. In finding effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin: overcoming gaming addiction for good, be sure to thoroughly research your facility options. Deciding on whether to stay close to home or venture away is a good start to narrowing down the options of facility centers. While the other way to start your search is finding the type of treatment you seek and going from there. If more conventional forms of gaming addiction treatment are appealing, then seeking a facility covered by insurance or state funded may be the best option. If more holistic forms or experiment-based therapies are ideal, then searching specific treatments may help narrow the options. Overcoming gaming addiction successfully means opening the door to opportunities to heal that have not been explored before.
At Omega Recovery, Dr. Kardaras’s unique program addresses all the underlying issues that can be related to gaming addiction. At Omega Recovery we address the whole client, not just solely their disorder. We highly encourage a digital detox period that allows the real work of self-discovery and long-term recovery to begin. We meaningfully engage our gaming clients and connect them to caring and well-trained masters-level therapists that are trained by Dr. Kardaras, and certified by the NIDHW (National Institute for Digital Health and Wellness). Clients begin to do the underlying psychodynamic work so that they can build a stronger and more empowered sense of their own identity. One without the counterfeit reality of their games that makes them a stranger in their own life.
Omega Recovery Provides Effective Gaming Addiction Treatment In Austin
“I felt like the real world wasn’t enough…but it was also more than I could handle. Gaming gave me an escape from those feelings and a sense of empowerment.”
– Omega Recovery Gaming Addiction Treatment Client
At Omega Recovery our founder, Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, is one of the country’s foremost experts on treating tech and gaming addiction and the author of the best-selling book “Glow Kids”. He and his team have developed a comprehensive and immersive 8-week program designed to overcome gaming addiction. In fact, not only treat the gaming addiction but also address any and all underlying issues that may be contributing to the gaming addiction. Many gamers struggle with depression, anxiety, substance use, self-esteem, low resilience, shame, and trauma. Finding effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin is important because oftentimes those struggling with gaming addiction also struggle to find real purpose and meaning in their own life. This can be devastating, as we each offer our own unique potential to each other and the world we live in. Omega Recovery offers both conventional and holistic forms of treatment to clients seeking a break-up with gaming addiction.
Austin, Texas provides the perfect landscape for anyone wanting to overcome gaming addiction for good. Our beautiful city is the healing backdrop needed for anyone seeking the beautiful game of life, instead of a limited version found online gaming in a false reality. At Omega Recovery’s treatment program, our clients receive 30 hrs of clinical gaming addiction treatment while living in a large, beautiful, secure home right in the community.They spend 5 days a week working with some of the best therapists in Austin, attend life skills groups, receive peer recovery coaching, and personal fitness training all in a secure setting. Finding effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin: overcoming gaming addiction means getting outside of the comfort zone. Clients are transported to clinical programming every weekday to participate in a vast array of treatment modalities that have been proven to be effective in treating various forms of addiction. During a typical week in programming, clients will participate in Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Meditation, and relapse prevention. They will also have opportunities to participate in body movement therapies such as yoga and Qi Gong. Omega treats the whole client, not just their addiction solely.
The Omega Recovery Difference In a World Of Addiction Treatment Centers
In our Community Integrated Treatment Model, our Omega clients seeking to find their own recovery from gaming addiction are engaged to live in the real world once again. We make this transition fun as we help our clients to reconnect within, without the use of their games, and find their passion. Oftentimes, the games are a substitute for a young person who feels bored, lost, depressed, adrift and lacking any real sense of purpose or direction. Omega Recovery helps clients to find that meaningful sense of purpose, passion, and direction in their lives. By living cooperatively in a treatment house in a vibrant community, we use all the social, nature-based, cultural, educational and economic opportunities available in an amazing city like Austin. Finding effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin: overcoming gaming addiction is possible when you find the right team to lead and support you along the way.
The recovering gamer gets the full clinical impact of an inpatient program in a more comfortable, alternative to traditional inpatient treatment. Dr. Kardaras has found that this type of treatment setting has better recovery outcomes as it is a more authentic and organic living and therapeutic environment. This translates into a smoother transition post-treatment, allowing the recovery process to stick- to last a lifetime. Towards the end of treatment, the client works with their therapist to slowly begin to reintegrate mindful tech usage back into their lives. We help create a “digital reentry” plan so that our clients and their families have a clear road-map of the transition back to our highly technological world. The recovered gamer needs to know how to balance healthy tech usage back into their lives. This includes a positive outlook on getting back into school, finding a job, or pursuing any other passion that they may have. We assist our clients in post-treatment transition planning that includes aftercare, case management, peer coaching, job placement, recovery housing and much more. We don’t just treat the client in the center and then send them on their way after completion. We take immense pride in caring for our clients who seek effective gaming addiction treatment in Austin, pre and post treatment programs. Experience the Omega Recovery difference in a world of addiction treatment centers, we stand out from the rest, without a doubt. For more information visit our website https://omegarecovery.org/ or call us at (512) 601-5407.
