At Omega Recovery, we get it. What may have started out as an innocent hobby and bit of fun, somehow turned into the focus of each and every day. What could be the harm is the most common assumption adults have about video game play in the beginning. It isn’t until someone starts playing longer and longer and feeling an obsession with their gaming world, that addiction rears its ugly head. If you find yourself or a loved one in this place or stuck in “the Matrix” and struggling in their day-to-day lives, there is a solution. There are video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin: help for a modern challenge. Oftentimes, making a change is just taking the first step of asking for help. The realization that there are caring professionals that understand this very new clinical problem is a comfort in itself. At Omega Recovery, we know all too well the repercussions of neglecting to find help for addiction. Which is why our dedicated and experienced team is here for anyone wanting to break free from a debilitating gaming addiction, and that includes their whole family too.
Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is one of the country’s foremost experts on treating tech and gaming addiction as well as the author of the best-selling book “Glow Kids”. He is Omega Recovery’s founding father and has worked endlessly to develop a comprehensive and immersive 8-week program designed to treat the whole addiction. Meaning, 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, and trauma. Oftentimes, someone suffering from video gaming addiction also struggles to find real purpose and meaning in their lives. At Omega Recovery, our community works together to bring back meaning, joy, self-love, and purpose back into a person’s life and being.
The Modern Challenge: Video Gaming Addiction Left Unaddressed
Video Game Addiction is compulsive or uncontrolled use of video games that negatively affect 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, hence the need of help for a modern challenge. Video game addiction treatment has become an important tool for families as uncontrollable use continues to rise. In fact, according to studies- 97% of Male Teens and Young Adults Play Video Games. This equates to over 150 million people in the United States alone! And, 41% of those asked say they spend too much time playing video games in their day. Unfortunately, it is estimated that approximately 10% of gamers will develop obsessive and compulsive behavior around their video gaming use. Hence the need for video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin: help for a modern challenge. Unaddressed video gaming addiction can severely negatively affect a person’s life and ability to function normally. And the unfortunate truth is that usually gamers have above average intelligence, yet they get stuck in their gaming obsession and fail to thrive.
Oftentimes, there are a plethora of signs when addiction is rearing its ugly head. This is especially true for anyone needing video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin: help for a modern challenge. The biggest sign is the overwhelming obsession with having to play one or many video games at any given opportunity in a struggling person’s day. Not only is it dangerous to the person struggling with addiction, but to the family and community involved when left untreated. Some of the signs that can be seen with unaddressed video gaming addiction are:
- Feeling upset or angry when unable to play video games.
- Thinking about video gaming a lot of times or all day.
- A need to spend more and more time playing to emotionally feel better.
- Not being able to limit or quit playing video games.
- A loss of interest in other activities once enjoyed.
- Having problems at home, work, or school.
- Continuing to play video games despite problems and negative consequences.
- Lying to others about the amount of time spent playing video games.
There are also physical ailments that can arise with unaddressed video gaming addiction. Physical ailments such as poor posture, eye strain, headaches, obesity, and mallase can arise when gaming takes the center of attention. Whether it is yourself, or someone you love, taking the steps to find the best video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin is better sooner rather than later. While the signs of addiction are listed above for a better understanding, there can be many more signs or symptoms of addiction not known. Just as each individual is different, so can be the triggers and signs for a person struggling with video gaming addiction.
Treatments Used That Are Successful With Healing From Video Gaming Addiction
Treatments used that are successful with healing from video gaming addiction are similar to treatment for any other form of addiction. Patients work with licensed professionals to undergo counseling and identify triggers tied with video gaming obsession. For instance, at an inpatient addiction treatment center- a patient will participate in therapy sessions both as an individual and as part of a group. Video gaming addiction and how it affects relationships is becoming more and more of a concerning problem for both families and communities at large. Which is exactly why there is such a need for video gaming treatment centers in Austin: help for a modern challenge. There are solutions, specialists, support and unique recovery options available for those battling video game addiction. No one has to struggle alone, as Omega Recovery is one of the best addiction recovery centers in Austin, TX. Below are examples of treatments used that are successful with healing from video gaming addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): An active therapeutic modality, CBT is present-oriented, problem-focused, and goal-directed. Since cognition affects a person’s wellbeing, changing harmful thought patterns can be transformative. This is especially true for anyone seeking video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin: help for a modern challenge. CBT can help clients recognize their ability to practice alternative ways of thinking, and also help regulate distressing emotions and harmful behavior. As an evidence-based treatment modality, CBT is a proven effective treatment for substance use disorders, behavioral addictions (video gaming, gambling, food, internet, sex), eating disorders, and specific mental health diagnoses.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Destructive behaviors can stem from experiences that involve extreme situations or intense emotions. DBT is primarily a skill-building approach that focuses on the development of four key skill sets. The first being Distress Tolerance: Being able to successfully and effectively with short term or long term pain. The second being Emotion Regulation: Identify behaviors and implement coping mechanisms to help modify them. The third being Mindfulness: Putting aside judgment and attention to understand how others may feel during a situation. And lastly, the fourth being Interpersonal Effectiveness: Ability to balance the wants and needs of a relationship while respecting boundaries and priorities. DBT is widely used by various video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Developed by Dr. Jon Cabot-Zinn, MSBR is a sequential method that teaches the individual who is struggling with racing and impulsive thoughts how to be in the “here and now”. By focusing on the breath or on an object in the room, the client slowly becomes able to collapse their awareness into the present moment. Mindfulness is especially important for anyone needed a break from a video game reality, one that is severy disconnected to world around them both mentally and physically.
Nature Immersion: So often, the person struggling with video gaming addiction feels lost, depressed, and devoid of a healthy sense of self or purpose in their lives. Nature Immersion can be powerful and transformative when the struggling person begins to understand the deeper significance of certain experiences. Nature has been shown, in a multitude of studies, to be both beneficial and important for positive mental health. These studies have shown that as long as people feel safe, time spent in Nature is an antidote for stress. Nature Immersion can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Nature Immersion is a holistic approach that involves re-connecting a client with nature to boost overall mental and physical health. The premise focuses on people being outdoors and in the natural world. Nature Immersion can involve meditation, forest bathing, sound healing, and physical activities such as hiking or surfing in supportive locations. Whether it be the quieting of the Ego/Mind, separation from a triggering environment, or listening to soothing sights and sounds- Nature Immersion helps to reconnect within. Therefore, allowing opportunity to find the root cause(s) of which addictive video gaming was allowed to grow in the first place.
Video Gaming Addiction Treatment Centers In Austin: Help For A Modern Challenge
Dr. Kardaras and his experienced team have implemented a unique program that does indeed address all the underlying issues that are present with video gaming addiction. A digital detox period is more than necessary, and during this period is when the real work of self-discovery and long-term recovery occur. At Omega Recovery, we meaningfully engage our video gaming clients and connect them back to themselves within, and professionals with experience. Our professional team of caring, well-trained masters-level therapists 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 and illusions of their video games. We take pride in being one of the best video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin: help for a modern challenge!
Omega Is One Of The Best Video Gaming Addiction Treatment Centers In Austin
In our Community Integrated Treatment Model, our Omega clients are engaged in living in the real world once again. 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 the beautiful city of Austin, TX. 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. At Omega Recovery, our community helps to make life fun again as we help clients find or reclaim their passion for life!
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 video gamer needs to know how to balance healthy tech usage back into their lives. Whether it means a healthy transition back into school, getting 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. 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. At Omega Recovery we are here to be the one of the best video gaming addiction treatment centers in Austin: help for a modern challenge! For more information, visit our website https://omegarecovery.org/ or call us at (512) 601-5407.
