Gaming Addiction

At first, gaming may be a way to unwind after a long day. But days become blurred into nights, and responsibilities fade into the background. For many, what begins as entertainment becomes entrapment. Welcome to the hidden reality of gaming addiction.

Gaming addiction, now formally recognized by the World Health Organization as "Gaming Disorder," refers to a pattern of gaming behavior (digital or video) that is characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities, and continuation of gaming despite negative consequences.

While many people game recreationally without issue, for some, the line between play and pathology becomes dangerously thin.

People struggling with gaming addiction often:

Feel compelled to play even when they don't enjoy it anymore
Lose track of time easily- one hour may turn into ten
Skip meals, sleep late, or neglect personal hygiene to game more
Become extremely annoyed or dismissive when interrupted from gaming
Feel anxious, angry or irritated when they cannot game
Miss school, work, or important appointments because of gaming
Spend lots of money on microtransactions, upgrades, or gaming gear

The Impacts of Gaming Addiction

Gaming addiction can have serious and wide-ranging impacts on a person’s life. Let's take a closer look.

1. Academics and Occupations

Individuals often experience a significant decline in performance due to chronic lateness, missed deadlines, poor concentration, and skipped responsibilities. Schoolwork or job duties may be ignored entirely as gaming sessions extend late into the night or early morning, resulting in sleep deprivation that further impairs cognitive function and decision-making.

2. Social Relationships

Those struggling with gaming addiction tend to withdraw from real life interactions, avoiding friends and family, skipping social events, and sometimes becoming emotionally unavailable in conversations. In romantic partnerships, a common issue seen is neglect: the addicted partner may spend excessive time gaming, leaving their significant other feeling ignored or emotionally abandoned. Important shared activities like meals, conversations, or intimacy may be postponed or replaced by gaming sessions, creating a growing emotional gap in the relationship.

3. Physical and Mental Health

Prolonged gaming leads to sedentary behavior, which can cause weight gain, back pain, eye strain, and repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. Irregular sleeping and eating patterns are common, with some individuals skipping meals, neglecting hygiene, or surviving on junk food and energy drinks. Psychologically, the addiction can trigger mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotional numbness, particularly when gaming becomes a way to soothe emotional distress.

4. Finances

Financial consequences may also arise, especially when large amounts of money are spent on consoles, in-game purchases, subscriptions, or gambling mechanics embedded in many games. In severe cases, the person may lie, steal, or go into debt to support their habit. Ultimately, gaming addiction can leave a person feeling trapped and unable to stop even as their real-world relationships, responsibilities, and health deteriorate.

So What Causes Gaming Addiction?

Several factors can contribute to the development of a gaming addiction:

Neurological Factors: Repeated exposure to gaming can alter brain function in ways similar to other addictions, particularly in areas related to reward, self-control, and decision-making. Games trigger dopamine release in the brain, creating a sense of pleasure and reinforcing repeated play.
Escapism: Gaming can be a way to avoid real-life problems like stress, anxiety, depression, or social isolation. Multiplayer games can build a sense of community and pressure to continue playing. Several people with a gaming addiction use games as a way of coping with trauma or overwhelming emotions.
Logistics: Many games offer clear goals, rewards, and progression systems, which can become deeply motivating and habit-forming. Like slot machines, games often use unpredictable rewards. Many games offer continuous play with no stopping points. Other games may have timed events and daily quests, creating pressure to log in regularly.

A Note From PsychNest

Gaming addiction presents real challenges, but it's important to remember that recovery is entirely possible with the right support and understanding. As awareness grows, so does our ability to recognize the signs early and respond with effective, compassionate strategies. Whether through therapy, education, or healthier digital habits, individuals can regain balance and build a more positive relationship with gaming. With open dialogue, we can support those affected and help foster a healthier approach to technology in everyday life.

Check out these resources for some extra support:

OLGANON (Online Gamers Anonymous): www.olganon.org
Game Quitters: www.gamequitters.com
Gaming Addicts Anonymous: www.gamingaddictsanonymous.org

Sources

American Addiction Centers. Video Game Addiction Symptoms and Treatment (https://americanaddictioncenters.org/video-gaming-addiction). Accessed 6/1/2025.
American Psychiatric Association. Internet Gaming (https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/internet-gaming). Accessed 6/1/2025.
World Health Organization. Addictive Behaviours: Gaming disorder (https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/addictive-behaviours-gaming-disorder). Accessed 6/1/2025.

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