Understanding Internet & Gaming Addiction
Internet gaming disorder was included in the DSM-5 as a condition for further study, and gaming disorder was formally recognized by the World Health Organization in the ICD-11. These conditions involve persistent and recurrent engagement with internet activities or video games to the extent that they take precedence over other life interests and daily activities, with continuation or escalation despite negative consequences. The prevalence of problematic internet use is estimated at 6 to 10 percent among adolescents and young adults, with gaming disorder affecting approximately 3 to 4 percent of gamers.
The neurobiological basis of internet and gaming addiction mirrors that of substance addictions and gambling disorder, involving dopamine dysregulation in the brain's reward system. The variable reward schedules built into social media platforms, video games, and online gambling are specifically designed to maximize engagement and can trigger addictive patterns in vulnerable individuals. Comorbid conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and social anxiety disorder are extremely common, and often both cause and result from problematic technology use.
Treatment for internet and gaming addiction is a growing specialty that relatively few providers offer. In the United States, specialized programs cost $10,000 to $40,000, and availability is limited. International psychiatric centers have developed structured programs for digital addiction that combine technology restriction, behavioral therapy, social skills development, and treatment of co-occurring conditions. Moodist Hospital offers behavioral addiction treatment programs that address internet and gaming addiction alongside any co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
CBT for internet and gaming addiction addresses the cognitive distortions and behavioral patterns that maintain problematic technology use. Treatment targets include identifying emotional triggers for excessive use (boredom, loneliness, anxiety), developing alternative coping strategies, challenging beliefs about online identity and relationships, building real-world social skills and connections, establishing healthy technology use boundaries, and treating co-occurring conditions that drive technology overuse. Intensive daily CBT delivery at Moodist Hospital provides concentrated treatment in a technology-restricted therapeutic environment.
The therapeutic environment of an inpatient or residential program is particularly beneficial for digital addiction because it naturally provides the technology-restricted setting that is essential for breaking addictive patterns. During treatment, patients experience life without constant digital stimulation, rediscover offline activities and interests, practice face-to-face social interaction, develop awareness of their emotional states without the numbing effect of screens, and establish structured daily routines that promote healthy functioning.
Unlike substance addictions where complete abstinence is the goal, treatment for digital addiction aims to establish a healthy, controlled relationship with technology — what clinicians call 'balanced use.' Treatment helps patients distinguish between necessary technology use (work, communication) and problematic use (excessive gaming, compulsive social media scrolling, online pornography), and develop the self-regulation skills to maintain boundaries between the two.
- CBT for internet/gaming addiction — addressing cognitive and behavioral patterns
- Motivational interviewing — building motivation for balanced technology use
- Social skills training — rebuilding face-to-face interaction capabilities
- Family therapy — addressing family dynamics and establishing tech boundaries
- Mindfulness-based therapy — developing awareness of urges and triggers
- Activity scheduling — replacing screen time with meaningful offline activities
- Co-occurring condition treatment — addressing depression, anxiety, ADHD
- Technology management skills — establishing sustainable usage boundaries
Cost Comparison by Country
Internet/Gaming Addiction Treatment Cost Comparison 2025
| Treatment | USA Cost | Turkey Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Assessment | $500 - $1,500 | $150 - $350 | Up to 77% |
| CBT Course (12 sessions) | $2,400 - $6,000 | $600 - $1,500 | Up to 75% |
| Digital Detox Program (2 weeks) | $8,000 - $20,000 | $2,000 - $4,000 | Up to 75% |
| Residential Program (28 days) | $15,000 - $35,000 | $3,000 - $7,000 | Up to 80% |
| Family Therapy Package | $2,000 - $5,000 | $500 - $1,200 | Up to 76% |
| Intensive Outpatient (4 weeks) | $8,000 - $18,000 | $2,000 - $4,000 | Up to 78% |
Internet and gaming addiction treatment is a relatively new specialty. Programs that address co-occurring conditions (depression, anxiety, ADHD) tend to produce better outcomes.
Concerned about internet or gaming addiction? Get free quotes from psychiatric centers offering specialized digital addiction treatment programs.
Get Free QuoteTop Digital Addiction Treatment Centers
Moodist Hospital treats internet and gaming addiction as part of its behavioral addiction program. The hospital provides a structured, technology-restricted therapeutic environment where patients can detach from digital devices while engaging in intensive therapy. Treatment addresses both the addictive behavior and underlying conditions such as depression, social anxiety, and ADHD that commonly co-occur with technology addiction. The program includes individual and group CBT, social skills development, recreational therapy, and family counseling.
Acıbadem Maslak Hospital and Memorial Şişli Hospital provide psychiatric services for behavioral addictions. American Hospital Istanbul offers English-language psychiatric consultation for technology addiction. When evaluating centers, look for programs that specifically address digital addiction (not just general addiction programs) and that have experience treating the co-occurring conditions that typically accompany problematic technology use.
Building Healthy Technology Habits
The ultimate goal of digital addiction treatment is establishing sustainable, balanced technology use that supports rather than detracts from quality of life. Key strategies include creating technology-free zones and times (bedrooms, mealtimes), using app timers and parental controls as self-regulation aids, scheduling specific times for social media rather than constant checking, prioritizing face-to-face social interactions, developing offline hobbies and activities, implementing a consistent sleep routine without screens before bed, and monitoring usage patterns to catch escalation early.
After completing an intensive treatment program, patients return home with a detailed technology management plan, coping strategies for high-risk situations, and follow-up support arrangements. Family members play a crucial role in maintaining treatment gains, and family education about digital wellness, boundary-setting, and recognizing warning signs of relapse is an integral part of the treatment program. Regular check-ins with a therapist during the first six months after treatment help consolidate gains and address challenges as they arise.
Our 19-year-old son dropped out of university because of gaming addiction — he was playing 16 hours a day. The 28-day program at Moodist Hospital was transformative. In a screen-free environment, he rediscovered interests he had abandoned, improved his social skills, and addressed the underlying depression driving his gaming. The cost was $6,000. He returned to university the following semester and has maintained healthy gaming limits. This treatment saved his future.
David and Susan L., parents of gaming addiction patient
Frequently Asked Questions
Is internet/gaming addiction a real disorder?
Yes. Gaming disorder is formally recognized by the World Health Organization (ICD-11), and internet gaming disorder is under study in the DSM-5. Neuroimaging research shows brain changes in problematic internet/gaming users similar to those seen in substance addictions, including dopamine dysregulation and changes in prefrontal cortex function.
Does treatment mean never using technology again?
No. Unlike substance addictions, the goal is balanced use, not abstinence. Treatment helps you distinguish necessary from problematic use, develop self-regulation skills, and establish sustainable boundaries. Most patients resume using technology for work, communication, and moderate entertainment after treatment.
Is this primarily a problem for teenagers?
While adolescents are at higher risk, internet and gaming addiction affects adults as well. Adults may struggle with social media, online gambling, compulsive browsing, or gaming. Work-related technology overuse can also become problematic. Treatment is available and effective for all age groups.
What about co-occurring ADHD or depression?
Co-occurring conditions are extremely common with digital addiction and must be treated simultaneously for good outcomes. Many individuals use excessive technology to cope with undiagnosed or undertreated ADHD, depression, or social anxiety. Comprehensive treatment programs assess for and treat these conditions alongside the addictive behavior.