What is Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)?
At Hope Rehab & Wellness we treat Internet Gaming Disorder with a family-centred, evidence-informed approach designed to reduce gaming time, restore healthy routines, and address underlying psychological drivers.
Who We Treat
We provide care for:
- Adolescents and young adults showing signs of problematic gaming.
- Parents seeking structured interventions and parenting strategies.
- Adults whose gaming is interfering with employment, relationships or health.
- Individuals with co-occurring conditions (ADHD, depression, anxiety) requiring integrated care.
Our Gaming Disorder Treatment Program
Our programme combines individual, family and group interventions to reduce gaming-related harm and build alternative, meaningful activities:
- Comprehensive assessment: structured IGD screening, ADHD and mood screening, sleep assessment and school/work impact review.
- Individual CBT for IGD: modules focused on stimulus control, time-management, cognitive restructuring and problem-solving tailored to gaming behaviours.
- Family therapy & parent training: essential for adolescents — we teach boundaries, digital contracts, contingency plans and communication skills.
- Digital detox & graded exposure: supervised reduction plans, replacement activities (sports, hobbies, skill-building) and monitored device management.
- Group therapy & peer skills groups: social skills training, relapse prevention and peer accountability groups.
- Occupational & educational reintegration: collaboration with schools or employers to plan phased returns, tutoring or vocational training.
- Treatment of comorbidities: ADHD, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders are addressed concurrently with medication or psychotherapy as needed.
- Aftercare & relapse prevention: booster sessions, family check-ins and community resources to sustain gains.
Clinical Approach
Our approach is strengths-based and collaborative. For adolescents, parental engagement is crucial — we support families with clear behavioural plans and digital management tools rather than punitive measures. For adults, therapy focuses on rebuilding routine, work-life balance and social connections. We use measurable goals (reduced gaming hours, improved school/work metrics) to track progress.
Clinician’s Note
“Gaming itself is not the enemy — it becomes a problem when it replaces real-life functioning. Our goal is to help people regain control, reconnect with life off-screen, and re-engage with meaningful goals.”
— Dr. Ritu Malhotra, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
What to Expect — Program Length & Outcomes
Program length depends on severity and co-occurring issues. Short intensive outpatient programmes of 8–12 weeks are common, with residential options for severe cases involving safety or significant functional decline. Families should expect active involvement in early phases; outcomes typically include decreased gaming time, improved sleep and school/work performance, and better family relationships.
Concerned About Gaming? Book an Assessment
If gaming is impacting education, work or relationships, call us for a confidential assessment. We offer family consultations, same-day intakes for urgent concerns, and secure telehealth for follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heavy gaming may be time-consuming but not necessarily harmful. Gaming disorder involves impaired control, priority of gaming over other activities, and continued play despite negative consequences in multiple life areas.
Yes — we have adolescent-specific programs that involve parents and schools, focusing on family strategies and educational reintegration.
We recommend structured, therapeutic digital contracts and supervised reductions rather than abrupt confiscation. Plans are developed collaboratively with parents and the young person.
Many outpatient programmes run 8–12 weeks; residential stays are longer depending on severity. Treatment is individualized and outcomes monitored regularly.
Medication is not a primary treatment for IGD but may be used to treat co-occurring conditions like ADHD, depression or anxiety as part of integrated care.
Treatment helps regain control and restore functioning; while ‘cure’ is not always the language used, many people achieve long-term recovery and healthy game use patterns with therapy and family support.
With consent, we liaise with schools for education plans, phased returns, tutoring support and to monitor academic progress as part of reintegration.
Yes — telehealth is effective for many components of care, especially for parent coaching, CBT modules, and follow-up sessions, though some cases benefit from in-person assessments.
Parents play a critical role in setting boundaries, managing devices, modelling healthy behaviour and supporting replacement activities; parent training is a core component of our adolescent programs.
Costs depend on programme intensity (outpatient, day-program, residential) and individual needs. Our admissions team provides clear pricing and options during intake.
