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What is Considered a Gaming Addiction?
Video Game Addiction is compulsive or uncontrolled use of video games and negatively effects other areas of the person’s life. It is considered a form of tech addiction, computer addiction or internet addiction. Addictive video games have become more commonplace and often target children and young adults.Video game addiction treatment has become an important tool for family as usage continues to expand.
“97% of Male Teens and Young Adults Play Video Games (over 150 million people in the U.S.). 41% of them feel they spend too much time playing video games.”
“Approximately 10% of gamers will develop obsessive and compulsive behavior around their gaming use. This begins to severely negatively affect their lives and ability to function normally. Usually gamers have above average intelligence, but they get stuck in their gaming obsession and fail to thrive.”
At Omega Recovery, Dr. Kardaras’s unique program does indeed address all those underlying issues. Yes, there is a digital detox period, but during that digital detox, the real work of self-discovery—and long-term recovery—occur. We meaningfully engage our gaming clients and connect them to caring, well-trained masters-level therapists 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—without the counterfeit reality of their games.
“Unfortunately, it seems that we, as a society, have entered into a Faustian deal. Yes, we have these amazing handheld marvels of the digital age – tablets and smartphones – miraculous glowing devices that connect people throughout the globe and can literally access the sum of all human knowledge in the palm of our hand. But what is the price of all this future tech? The psyche and soul of an entire generation. The sad truth is that for the oh-so-satisfying ease, comfort and titillation of these jewels of the modern age, we’ve unwittingly thrown an entire generation under the virtual bus.”
-Dr. Kardaras
Insurance Accepted
Your treatment is likely to be partially or fully covered with almost any major insurance provider.
Gaming Addiction Treatment Program at Omega Recovery
We get it. It started out as a hobby…a bit of fun on the computer that ALL of your friends were doing. What could be the harm? But then you found yourself playing longer and longer…getting more obsessed with your gaming world. Hell, it was the only thing you may have felt good at. And now you’re being told that you have to stop? No way! But if you’re at that place in your life—or if your loved one 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.
At Omega Recovery, Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, one of the country’s foremost experts on treating tech and gaming addiction and the author of the best-selling book “Glow Kids”, has developed a comprehensive and immersive 8-week program designed to not only treat the gaming addiction, but to 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, trauma…oftentimes they struggle to find real purpose and meaning in their lives.
Dr. Kardaras’s unique program does indeed address all those underlying issues. Yes, there is a digital detox period, but during that digital detox, the real work of self-discovery—and long-term recovery—occur. We meaningfully engage our gaming clients and connect them to caring, well-trained masters-level therapists 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—without the counterfeit reality of their games.
Evidence-based modalities for Gaming Addiction Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Peer Recovery Coaching
Nature Immersion
Outdoor Behavioral Health
Narrative Therapy and the “Hero’s Journey”
Mindfulness
Yoga and Somatic Techniques
“So just pulling the plug on the games doesn’t really count as gaming addiction treatment—it doesn’t address what’s driving the compulsive behavior and the need to escape into a gaming fantasy world.”
Gaming Addiction Help
In our Community Integrated Treatment Model, our Omega clients are engaged in living in the real world once again—and we make it fun as we help them to 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 them to find that meaningful sense of passion, purpose and direction in their lives. By living cooperatively in a treatment house in a vibrant community in the thriving city of Austin, we use all the social, nature-based, cultural, educational and economic opportunities available in an amazing city like Austin.
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 which translates into a smoother transition post-treatment.
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 as they look to get back into school, get a job or pursue 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.
Do You Need Video Gaming Addiction Treatment?
Examine the warning signs mentioned above and decide how many of them relate to you. Consider how much time you spend playing video games. Do you think time gets in the way of your personal responsibilities? Has it wreaked havoc on some valuable relationships? Have you stopped doing other things you used to enjoy in order to devote more time to gaming?
Examine your present state of health. 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?
Have you ever made a commitment to yourself or anyone else to restrict your gaming time but failed to follow through? Gaming addiction affects a small number of players. 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.
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My Video Game addiction is Ruining My Life-or My Child's Life-What can I do?
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While hundreds of video games addiction treatment programs exist throughout Asia, treatment options in the U.S had been almost non-existent.
But now that’s changed. Omega Recovery offers the best, evidence based, immersive and transformative gaming addiction treatment program in the United States.
Our holistic, nationally-recognized and accredited program is here to provide you with the best evidence-based care, regardless of which stage of recovery you are in. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one struggling with recovery – we can help.
Individualized Outpatient Rehab Programs
Traditional Outpatient (OP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP) & Partial Hospitalization
Live at home, maintain your work & family responsibilities, and receive extensive addiction treatment at one of our outpatient rehab facilities in Texas
We’ll design a recovery plan to address your specific addiction, background, and mental health needs.
Depending on the severity & length of your addiction you’ll be assigned to one of three levels of care
Getting Help For A Loved One
Addicts often find it very difficult to take the first step to recovery on their own. We’ve treated hundreds of people with mental health, technology, and substance abuse addictions. Many claim that it was a loved one who first recommended them to our outpatient rehab program.
Here’s why we’re highly recommended:
90%
Of Clients would HIGHLY
Recommend
Omega Recovery
90%
Of Alumni say their
treatment at Omega was a
success
85%
Of clients report that they
are sober after 6 months
