Gaming Addiction
Gaming is one of the most popular pastimes in the UK — and it’s not hard to see why. With immersive storylines, online communities, and easy access from phones, consoles, and PCs, gaming offers entertainment, connection, and often a welcome escape from the stresses of daily life.
In fact, an estimated 10.84 million people in the UK enjoy gaming, making it a completely normal and widespread activity — that’s around one in every seven people. It’s not just a hobby for the young, either. The average age of a gamer in the UK is 28, slightly younger than in places like New Zealand, where it’s 35. More and more adults are finding enjoyment and relaxation through gaming, and the gender balance is also shifting: 48% of UK gamers are female, showing that gaming isn’t just something enjoyed by men — it’s something enjoyed by almost everyone.
And while for most, gaming remains a fun and positive part of life, for some, it becomes something harder to manage — a source of conflict, distress, or emotional reliance. When gaming starts to dominate your time, affect your sleep, or take the place of relationships, it may be a sign of something deeper.
What Is Gaming Addiction?
Gaming addiction — officially recognised as Internet Gaming Disorder in the ICD-11, the World Health Organization’s classification manual for mental health — refers to a pattern of gaming behaviour that becomes compulsive and difficult to control. It typically leads to significant problems in everyday life: at work, at school, or in personal relationships.
While the term “addiction” can feel strong, the impact is real. In the UK, it’s estimated that between 700,000 and 1 million people live with video game addiction — meaning that up to one in every 11 gamers may be experiencing problematic gaming behaviour. Globally, figures vary, but research suggests that between 1.7% and 10% of people in the US meet the criteria for gaming addiction.
Gaming addiction isn’t about the number of hours alone — it’s about how gaming affects your mood, your functioning, and your ability to engage meaningfully with the rest of life.
What Does It Look Like?
Signs of gaming addiction might include:
- Playing for extended periods, even when it’s impacting sleep or responsibilities
- Choosing gaming over meals, hygiene, or spending time with loved ones
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or low when not gaming
- Lying to others about how much time you spend playing
- Struggling to cut back despite knowing it’s affecting your wellbeing
This pattern can creep up slowly. What starts as a few extra hours of play becomes a daily need — not just for fun, but to cope with life.
Why It Happens
Gaming offers more than entertainment. It provides structure, goals, identity, and often connection — especially in online multiplayer environments. For many, gaming is a way to:
- Escape stress or emotional pain
- Feel competent or successful
- Find social connection in a controlled, safe way
- Avoid difficult situations in real life
In this sense, gaming addiction isn’t just about the game. It’s often a coping mechanism — and one that might have been working until it started to work too well.
The Mental Health Impact
Excessive or compulsive gaming can affect both mental and physical wellbeing. Over time, it can lead to:
- Increased anxiety or depression – especially when gaming is used to avoid emotional discomfort
- Sleep disruption and fatigue – from late-night sessions or irregular routines
- Social isolation – as gaming begins to take the place of real-world interactions
- Low self-esteem – particularly if the gamer begins to feel shame or frustration at their own habits
- Decline in work, school, or family life – missing deadlines, avoiding responsibilities, or becoming withdrawn
What’s often misunderstood is that someone with a gaming addiction may be highly intelligent, sensitive, and thoughtful — but is simply using gaming to meet unmet emotional needs.
Who Is Affected?
Anyone can be affected by gaming addiction. While it’s commonly associated with teenagers, adults are equally susceptible, especially when dealing with stress, burnout, or loneliness. The increasing availability of gaming across devices — from smartphones to consoles — means that boundaries can easily become blurred.
Gaming addiction also isn’t limited by gender, despite old stereotypes. As we now know, nearly half of all gamers in the UK are women — and they too can face challenges with overuse or dependence.
Why It’s So Hard to Stop
Games are designed to keep you playing. Many use reward loops, where you earn points, progress, or social status through repeated play. Online multiplayer games can also create a strong sense of community and obligation — leaving the game can feel like letting down a team, or missing out on social experiences.
When someone tries to cut back or stop, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Low mood or boredom
- Difficulty focusing
These symptoms are real. And like any other behavioural addiction, the psychological pull is often stronger than people expect.
How Counselling Can Help
The goal of counselling isn’t to take away something you enjoy — it’s to help you regain choice and control. If you’re worried about your gaming habits, or someone you care about is struggling, counselling offers a safe, non-judgemental space to explore what’s going on.
Through counselling, you can:
- Identify what emotional needs gaming is currently meeting
- Explore the underlying causes — such as stress, trauma, anxiety, or depression
- Learn new, sustainable coping strategies
- Rebuild routines, sleep, and relationships
- Work towards a healthier balance with gaming
At Hope Therapy & Counselling Services, we understand that this is about more than screen time — it’s about emotional wellbeing, identity, and finding new ways to feel grounded in life.
What Recovery Looks Like
Recovery from gaming addiction isn’t necessarily about giving up games forever — it’s about restoring balance and re-engaging with life in a fuller way. For some, that might mean taking a complete break. For others, it means learning how to set boundaries and play in a healthier way.
Recovery involves:
- Awareness – recognising how gaming affects you
- Compassion – letting go of shame and self-blame
- Support – involving loved ones, or working with a counsellor
- Reconnection – rediscovering hobbies, routines, and relationships outside the screen
You don’t have to do it all at once. Every step matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gaming addiction really recognised by mental health professionals?
Yes. Internet Gaming Disorder is officially included in the ICD-11, a diagnostic manual used by psychiatrists worldwide. It’s considered a legitimate and diagnosable mental health issue.
How do I know if I or someone I love has a gaming problem?
If gaming is affecting your sleep, relationships, work or education — or if you feel unable to stop despite wanting to — it may be time to seek support.
Do you only work with teenagers?
Not at all. While we work with young people, we also support adults of all ages, many of whom struggle with compulsive gaming in silence.
Is online counselling an option?
Yes, we offer online and in-person counselling to make support as accessible as possible.
Ready to Talk?
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, curious about your relationship with gaming, or worried about someone close to you, we’re here to help. At Hope Therapy, we provide a free initial consultation to talk things through and explore what kind of support might be helpful for you.