The Internet and Gaming Addiction Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like an addiction to the Internet or to online gaming, you are never alone.  Countless men and women and children have faced the exact same diagnosis and have survived and thrived.  The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other addicts when they faced the same challenge.  

TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled links to the very best internet and gaming addiction resources: articles, blogs, forums and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges you’re facing.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this Internet & Gaming Addiction Guide even more helpful to survivors like you.   

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Survivors Say: Best Resources for Internet & Gaming Addiction

Internet & Gaming Addiction Is Real Threat. Internet and gaming addiction will soon be added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) V, the handbook of mental disorders used by mental health workers in the US.  

Online Gaming Isn’t Child’s Play! Many online games now come with a warning that Internet gamers need to “get a life.”  For countless thousands, perhaps even millions of Americans, the internet and online gaming have become an unhealthy obsession.

Symptoms of Computer & Video Game Obsession. While the majority of Internet and gaming addiction is believed to occur in children under the age of 18, millions of adults are also hooked on the web as well as games and gaming chat rooms.  See if any of your behavior falls within the category of addiction.

The Big Picture

It’s impossible to know just how widespread and pervasive internet and online gaming addiction is in this country.  The reason is easy to understand – the vast majority of Americans enjoy the internet and online gaming in the privacy of their own homes and so getting an accurate picture of the problem becomes impossible – many addicts either deny having a problem at all or they minimize its severity.

Mental health professionals know that the problem exists and they know that for many people the addiction to the internet and to online gaming is as real and as hard to control as an addiction to nicotine or cocaine.  In fact, hundreds of people in this country are so connected to their computers that they fail to eat properly or get sufficient sleep – many cases of death have even occurred because of an uncontrolled compulsion to game or surf the Internet – in some cases 24/7.

If you have admitted to yourself that you have a problem or if you have been diagnosed with an addiction to the computer or to computer gaming, it is important for you to gather as much information as possible about your addiction(s) and become part of the solution when it comes to finding ways to break the behaviors that are controlling your life.

To better understand the most common signs and symptoms of internet and gaming addiction, be sure to visit:

Symptoms of Internet Gaming Addiction in Teens

Your Internet & Gaming Addiction

Compulsive behaviors, such as the almost uncontrollable need to be online and part of chat rooms, discussion groups and so forth or to play online games almost incessantly are difficult to cure for several reasons.  First, the person with the problem has to both admit to the problem and wish to be cured.  Even if an addict wants to end his or her addiction there is still the problem that there is no one trigger mechanism for Internet or gaming addiction.  That makes each case unique, although all cases have many elements in common.  To better understand how internet or online gaming can affect your life see:

The Dangers of Internet & Gaming Addiction

Addiction to the Internet and to gaming is somewhat new and there are many different theories as to how to best treat the problem.  If you’re not happy with your current treatment, don’t give up – there are others out there who want to help you and offer a wide variety of treatment methods.

A Game Addict Discuss His Addiction and Treatment

This is your life and you need to understand not only what your problem is, you also need to understand all of your treatment options.

Treatment for Video Game Addiction

Your World

Don’t be surprised if you’re feeling a flood of emotions once you accept your addiction diagnosis.  This is perfectly normal.  Talk with your loved ones and reach out to support centers during the initial stages of your journey. For advice on dealing with the tangled web of emotions you may be going through, visit

The Internet Addiction Support Group

It’s sometimes difficult to put everything into perspective and to make your new world make sense to you.  For a psychological look at Internet addiction see:

Internet Addiction From a Psychological Perspective

Internet & Gaming Addiction Myths

• Many people don’t believe Internet addiction is an actual illness.  The Myth of Internet Addiction

• The Internet and online gaming addictions are closely related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and share many of the same myths.  Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Myths
• Increasingly, violent actions by teens and others who have spent a great deal of time playing violent online games are being blamed on the influence of these games. How fair is that? Violent Video Games: The Myths And the Facts

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors:

• This site was begun by the parents of a child who died as a result of online gaming addiction.  Their mission is to help others avoid the pain and the suffering that they have had to endure.  On-Line Gamers Anonymous
• This site gives you straight-talk on Internet addiction – what it is and what you need to do about it. How To Break Your Addiction to the Internet

• Here you can find advice for coping with your online gaming addiction: Coping With Video Game Addiction

Types of Treatment

Treatments for Internet and Online Gaming Addiction:

Symptoms & treatment for online gaming addiction

Treatments for Internet

Internet Addiction Symptoms & Treatment

Possible Treatment Side Effects

The use of drugs to treat Internet addiction or online gaming addiction is rare.  The vast majority of treatment options involve counseling or psychiatric care. 

Creating a support circle

• Set up your TSC Survivor Profile
• Join support groups of other survivors or set up your own
• Interact and provide updates on your profile or our forums.
  

Insurance & Work Matters

Insurance Matters

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is not yet recognized as a genuine disorder by the American Psychiatric Association and so its treatment is not covered by any insurance companies at this time.

Online Addiction Not Covered By Insurance

At the present time Internet gaming disorders are not covered by any insurance.

Work Matters

Online gaming and other non-work-related internet activities are costing American businesses billions of dollars in lost productivity.  Many workers are calling in “sick” due to their obsession with gaming or other online activities.  Such problems are still so new that many companies don’t have protocols in place to deal with them, but a growing number of companies are looking seriously at this ever-growing problem.

Internet Addiction in the Workplace

Health-care Providers Who Can Help

Psychologists and counselors are the primary health-care providers who offer help for Internet and online gaming addictions.

A quick and easy way to search for therapists in your area who may be able to help is to follow this link:

Find a Therapist

The Emotional Roller-coaster

Surviving Internet and/or online gaming addition is a challenge. Understand that you are not alone.  Literally millions of people in this country are in the same boat.  Many can’t break away from the computer for literally days at a time.  Many addicts break down under the stress of battling these overwhelming compulsions. If you recognize that you have a problem, then it is vital that you start to break your familiar and safe patterns.  It's important to continue living your life normally, participating in the same daily activities you've always done. Support groups are also important to maintaining a healthy emotional state. Other than that, educating yourself on the reality of your addiction and avoiding situations which are known to trigger your obsessions as well as exposing yourself to books and stories written by those who have dealt with compulsions in their past can help give you and your loved ones hope while dealing with this crisis.

Books Survivors Recommend

• Caught in the Web: Internet Addiction
• Hooked on the Net
• Plugged in: A Guide to Internet Gaming Addiction

Communicating with Your Health-care providers

• Bring a friend or family member with you to your appointments. They are not only there to provide support but to lend an extra ear to understand everything your health-care provider has to say and to think up any more questions you may not realize are important at the time.
• Don't be afraid to ask any questions you feel you need the answer to, even if you may be scared of the answer. Ignorance won't help you fight your addiction.
• Write down any questions you may have ahead of time and the answers to those questions as your health-care provider walks you through them.  Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on anything.
  

Dealing With Internet and Online Gaming Addictions: Information and Recommended Links for Co-Survivors:

How you can help

• Be there for your friend or family member.  Let them know you care, that you still love them and that you are 100% behind their efforts to control their obsessions.
• Keep a normal daily routine going as much as possible.  Allow the addict to make as many decisions as possible concerning his or her treatment.
• Involve your friend or family member with others. Don't focus exclusively on their obsession and treatment plan. A recovering addict who is involved with others has a better chance of avoiding feelings of abandonment.
• Keep your loved one away from friends and situation which will encourage their addiction.
  

What to say   

• "I will support your decision in whichever treatment option you choose."
• "Do you want to talk about it?"
• Tell them how much you care about them.   
  

What not to say

• "Don't worry, we'll find a way to make this all go away."
• "We'll see every psychiatrist and spend as much money as it will take to get you well."
• "I’ll handle everything; you won't have to lift a finger."
  

Things you can do for a survivor every day

Offering day-to-day support is a great gift. If the recovering addict isn't a family member, help out when they are away by picking up the mail or newspaper, making meals, going grocery shopping, etc. If the recovering addict is a family member, help out with chores or other duties they may have fallen behind on. Help them get their life back on track – and then step back and allow them to get on with their lives.

How to build a support network

• Set up your TSC Co-Survivor Profile
• Create a support group for your friend or family member.
• Interact and provide updates
  

How to help a recovering addict deal with day-to-day challenges

I Am A Recovering Gaming Addict

A recovering internet or gaming addict is never “cured.”  Much like a recovering alcoholic, Internet and gaming addicts must strive to make it “one day at a time.”  By telling your story you can not only put into perspective your thoughts and feelings but you can provide hope to others who are going through a similar journey themselves, whether it be with Internet addiction or addiction to online games or another form of addiction or compulsion altogether.

Remission / Recovery / Recurrence

There is no cure for Internet or gaming addiction.  Recovery is a process – it’s not an end. The recovering addict must always be on guard, must always be aware of his or her feelings, emotions, cravings and compulsions – and must be willing to fight against them when necessary, using the skills they have learned in counseling or therapy.


There are early warning signs for most Internet and gaming addicts. The problem often starts at a very young age.  Many parents try to ignore the problems, reasoning that their child will “grow out of it.”  In some cases that can be true.  However, parents must not be blind to the truth. If the Internet or online gaming begins to take over a child’s entire world, then it is time for something to be done. Seek professional help from a qualified counselor or therapist. Do it sooner rather than later. Internet and gaming obsessions can start at an early age and should be treated immediately. Remember, these addictions are often a sign of other problems altogether which, if caught and treated early, may help to prevent later-life addiction.

Relapse is common among recovering addicts – but there are ways to deal with relapses that can keep you on the right track:

Avoiding Addiction Relapse

 

Give back


What helped you while you were dealing with your addictions? Take a look back at your journey and share with other what helped you and what you wished you would have known/done during your addiction experience. You can create a profile, reach out to other survivors, join support circles or share your story by following the links at TheSurvivorsClub.org.

Check out some of the best charities for supporting addiction research and cures:

Where It Is Most Needed

What can you do when you find out your addiction treatment has failed or that you have relapsed? Many addicts simply refuse to deal with the possible consequences of their actions.  If you find out that your treatment has not taken effect it's important for you to understand what the consequences can be:

Causes, Symptoms & Consequences of Internet Addiction