Welcome to Satori Recovery. We provide world-class rehabilitation and treatment to those who suffer from addiction, substance abuse and mental health conditions and help to regain their lives.
Many people enjoy playing video games, and even occasional periods of excessive gaming don’t necessarily mean someone is addicted. A true video game addiction occurs when a person loses control and gaming becomes a compulsive behavior.
When this happens, gaming takes priority over other responsibilities and activities. Individuals may even experience withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to play.
This condition is sometimes called Internet Gaming Disorder, particularly when the addiction centers on online gaming.
Weight Gain or Loss
Gaming is a sedentary activity, with players often sitting for hours while moving little more than their fingers. This lack of physical activity can contribute to weight gain. On the other hand, some individuals become so absorbed in gaming that they skip meals or play instead of eating, which can lead to weight loss.
Many gamers also place convenience above nutrition, opting for fast food, takeout, or highly processed snacks instead of cooking or grocery shopping. Adding to this, many food and drink products marketed toward gamers are packed with calories, fat, sugar, sodium, and caffeine.
Eye and Joint Strain
Spending long hours staring at a screen can lead to eye strain, while repetitive actions like typing or using a controller increase the risk of repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Sleep Disturbances
The blue light from screens not only causes eye strain but also interferes with the body’s natural sleep cycle by suppressing melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep.
Caffeinated drinks—like energy drinks and sodas heavily promoted to gamers—can further disrupt sleep. In more severe cases, gaming addiction can cause individuals to play late into the night, sacrificing rest altogether.
During treatment for gaming addiction at Satori Recovery, here’s what your treatment plan with us looks like.
Individual therapy consists of one-on-one talk therapies with a licensed therapist. These therapies will help you get to the root of your addiction and discover what’s causing your problems surrounding alcohol.
One example of individual therapy that may be used during treatment is cognitive-behavioural therapy. It’s a goal-oriented type of therapy that helps you reframe your thoughts and behaviours so that you can manage the symptoms of gaming addiction.
Group therapy is when you receive psychotherapy in a group setting. During group therapy, a therapist will guide sessions to ensure the session is productive and stays on track.
Group therapy offers several benefits beyond receiving treatment in a group setting. It’s also a way to receive peer support in a safe environment. Hearing the stories of other people can help reduce the feelings of isolation that are typically present when you’re going through addiction.
Holistic therapies aim to complement traditional therapies so that you have a more well-rounded recovery experience. These therapies may include yoga, mindfulness, art therapy, and more.
These are seamlessly integrated into your programme for a deeper level of healing. Engaging in holistic therapies also helps you rediscover passions and develop interests outside of addiction.
Aftercare is always important after going through inpatient treatment. After leaving a rehab centre, you’ll be constantly exposed to triggers that can lead to relapse. Maintaining what you have started is an important part of what needs to happen after primary treatment.
Aftercare plans provide continued therapy so you’ll know how to face challenges outside of rehab properly.