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Teen Video Game Addiction Treatment
When gaming starts to take over your teen’s life, our program provides the guidance and therapeutic tools they need to reconnect with the real world and regain a sense of balance.
In today’s tech-driven world, it’s easy to overlook just how deeply gaming can take root in a teen’s life—until it starts to affect everything else. For many parents, what starts as a harmless hobby can slowly spiral into a serious concern. Missed homework, sleepless nights, skipped meals, and growing isolation may become common themes as your teen becomes more and more immersed in a digital world. If you’ve found yourself wondering whether it’s more than just a phase, you’re not alone—and you’re not without support.
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we understand the complexities of video game addiction in teens, and we’re here to help. Our compassionate, comprehensive approach is designed to guide adolescents back to balance while giving families the tools they need to heal and reconnect. For more information on our effective mental health treatment programs for teens, contact us today.
Learn more about our teen treatment programs or call us now at 888-254-0916.
What is Video Game Addiction in Adolescents?
Video game addiction in teens—sometimes referred to as gaming disorder—is a behavioral condition marked by compulsive or uncontrolled gaming habits that interfere with daily functioning. While gaming can be a fun and even educational pastime for many, it becomes problematic when it begins to dominate a teen’s life.
This form of impulse control disorder is often characterized by an inability to stop gaming despite negative consequences, including academic struggles, social withdrawal, and emotional instability. The immersive nature of modern video games—especially online multiplayer games—can make it difficult for teens to disconnect and re-engage with the real world.
Is Gaming Disorder in Teens a Mental Health Disorder?
Yes. The World Health Organization officially recognized “Gaming Disorder” as a diagnosable condition in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). While not every teen who spends a lot of time gaming is addicted, the distinction lies in the impact. When gaming starts to significantly impair a young person’s ability to function socially, emotionally, or academically, it may qualify as a mental health issue.
It’s also worth noting that video game addiction in teens is often tied to underlying emotional or psychological concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma, which is why effective treatment must look beyond the screen and into the heart of the issue.
Tour our Teen Video Game Addiction Treatment Programs near Los Angeles.
Our Video Game Addiction Treatment Programs for Teens in Los Angeles
Located in beautiful Malibu, Beachside Teen Treatment Center offers a supportive, structured, and clinically robust environment for adolescents struggling with video game addiction in teens. Our programs are rooted in trauma-informed care and combine evidence-based treatment with holistic healing practices. Every teen receives a personalized treatment plan built around their unique challenges, interests, and strengths.
Residential Treatment
Teens reside on-site in a safe, serene setting where they participate in daily therapeutic programming, psychiatric care, and structured activities designed to promote emotional regulation and social connection. Residential treatment provides the most immersive level of care, removing external distractions and giving teens the space to reset.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our PHP allows teens to spend full days at our facility engaging in intensive therapy, group work, and experiential activities while returning home in the evenings. This level of care helps bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient treatment and is ideal for teens transitioning back into daily life.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
IOP offers flexibility for teens who have completed higher levels of care or those who require a more structured program than traditional therapy. Teens attend sessions multiple times a week while reintegrating into school or home life, allowing them to practice new coping skills in real-world settings.
Signs and Symptoms of Video Game Addiction
Recognizing the signs of gaming addiction can be challenging, especially in a world where screen time is a part of everyday life. Here are some red flags that may indicate a deeper problem:
- Preoccupation with gaming (even when not playing)
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Poor academic performance or missed assignments
- Lying about gaming time or sneaking devices
- Irritability or aggression when gaming is restricted
- Neglect of hygiene, nutrition, or sleep
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Failed attempts to cut down on gaming
Potential Signs for Parents to Watch For
You know your teen best, and sometimes your instincts are your most valuable tool. As a parent, you might notice subtle (or not-so-subtle) shifts that raise concern:
- Your teen becomes defensive or secretive about their gaming habits.
- Mealtimes and family activities are consistently avoided in favor of screen time.
- They’re staying up late and seem exhausted during the day.
- Their mood appears to be directly tied to gaming wins or losses.
- There’s a noticeable increase in isolation, anxiety, or depression.
- They appear disinterested in real-life goals, friendships, or personal growth.
How Can Video Game Addiction Impact Your Teen?
While gaming may seem harmless, addiction can have serious consequences. Over time, excessive gaming can disrupt sleep patterns, interfere with academic performance, and stunt emotional and social development. Teens may struggle with real-world relationships, find it difficult to manage stress without gaming, or become desensitized to important life responsibilities.
Left unaddressed, video game addiction in teens can evolve into long-term behavioral and psychological struggles. That’s why early intervention and a whole-person treatment approach are so critical.
Causes of Teen Video Game Addiction
There’s no single cause of gaming addiction. For many teens, it’s a coping mechanism for deeper emotional pain. Gaming can offer a sense of community, achievement, and predictability—especially to teens who feel disconnected or overwhelmed in other areas of life.
Factors that can contribute include:
- Underlying mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, ADHD, depression)
- Unresolved trauma or chronic stress
- Lack of structure or supervision
- Low self-esteem or social anxiety
- A desire to escape reality or gain a sense of control
- Reinforcement patterns built into video games (e.g., rewards, rankings, dopamine hits)
Tja-Zsa Hower, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Last Updated on May 19, 2025
Find Help For Your Family
At Beachside, our programming meets the highest standards for quality adolescent healthcare.
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What You Can Do As a Parent
If your teen is struggling, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed too. At Beachside Teen, we don’t just treat the behavior—we help your teen (and your family) rebuild the foundation beneath it.
Here are a few first steps you can take:
- Start the conversation. Approach the topic with empathy, not blame. Ask open-ended questions and listen without interrupting.
- Set boundaries. Begin establishing healthy screen-time limits and consistent routines.
- Model balance. Show your teen what a healthy relationship with technology looks like.
- Don’t go it alone. Seek professional help from a teen treatment center that specializes in impulse control disorders and gaming addiction.
Why Beachside Teen?
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we believe healing starts with connection. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists, psychiatrists, and behavioral health professionals are experts in adolescent development and are deeply attuned to the challenges today’s teens face—including those rooted in digital behavior. We understand that video game addiction in teens can be a symptom of something deeper, and we’re here to get to the root, not just treat the surface.
What sets us apart?
- Individualized treatment tailored to your teen’s needs
- Evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care
- Experiential therapies including equine therapy, surf therapy, art therapy, and yoga
- Family therapy and parent support
- A peaceful and private Malibu campus designed to promote healing and growth
Take the First Step Toward Balance
If your teen’s gaming habits are taking over their life—and yours—it’s time to reach out. The path to recovery doesn’t have to be walked alone. Our team at Beachside Teen Treatment Center is here to support your family every step of the way, with compassion, clinical expertise, and a commitment to whole-person healing.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs and take the first step toward a more balanced, connected future for your teen.
Meet Our Trusted, Compassionate Care Team
When left untreated, adolescent behavioral health issues can lead to lifelong struggles with mental health and addiction. We’re here to help your child discover healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and mental health symptoms. Our team is a diverse group of professionals who are here to provide for your child’s needs throughout their treatment program.
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Dr. Shilpa Jindani
Physician
Mark Paladini
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Psychiatrist
Dr. Shilpa Jindani
Physician
Mark Paladini
Begin Adolescent Video Game Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles Today
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we understand how challenging it can be to see your teen struggling with mental or behavioral health issues. Our inpatient treatment program offers a serene, supportive environment where your teenager can begin their journey to healing and recovery.
Call us now at 888-254-0916 or verify your insurance.
Together, we can help your teen build a brighter future..