Sometimes gaming starts as a fun way to relax or fill some quiet time. Maybe it helps you switch off or feel accomplished when other things feel uncertain. But for some people, it slowly becomes more than that.
You find yourself logging on when you should be sleeping. Or losing track of time. Maybe people around you have started to worry. Or maybe you’ve noticed it yourself — that it’s not just entertainment anymore. It’s something you need to feel okay.
At White River Recovery, we work with people who’ve reached that point — where gaming is no longer just a hobby, but something that feels out of control. Contact us today to find out more about our gaming addiction treatment programmes and to begin your recovery today. You can can contact us on WhatsApp, call us on +27 87 250 2843 or email us at booking@whiteriverrecovery.co.za to find out more.
White River Recovery Centre is fully accredited by the South African Department of Health and has been rated as a 3-star rehabilitation facility by the Rehab Grading Council of South Africa (RGC).
It’s not always easy to spot when something enjoyable crosses into something compulsive. Maybe you’re staying up too late. Maybe you’re falling behind at work or school. You might feel anxious or irritable when you try to stop.
Some people start to pull away from others. Others lose interest in everything except the game. And for many, it becomes a way to check out — a way to avoid things that feel heavy or hard to face.
Here are a few signs that gaming might be becoming a problem:
- Struggling to keep up with responsibilities because of time spent online
- Feeling low or restless when you can’t play
- Losing track of time, or needing longer sessions to feel satisfied
- Avoiding social events or hobbies you used to enjoy
- Trying to cut back, but not being able to stick to it
- Hiding how much time you’re spending in front of a screen
- Letting your health or hygiene slide
- Turning to games whenever life feels stressful or overwhelming
Why it’s so hard to stop
In real life, things can feel messy or out of your hands. Games, on the other hand, are predictable. You know what to expect. There are rules. You get clear rewards. You can feel successful in ways that might feel harder to find offline.
When you play, your brain reacts. You get a little hit of pleasure — a moment where everything feels better. The more often that happens, the more your brain starts to expect it. Over time, it craves that same feeling, and the urge to play gets stronger.
Online gaming communities can also create a strong sense of belonging. You’re not just logging in to play — you’re connecting with people, building an identity, and feeling seen in ways that might be missing offline.
We don’t just help you unplug. We help you understand what the gaming was giving you — and how to find that same sense of comfort, purpose, or connection in other areas of life.
Personal therapy
You’ll meet regularly with a therapist to talk about what’s really going on. That might include looking at how gaming fits into your daily life, what you’re trying to avoid, or what emotions tend to show up when you try to stop.
If you’re living with anxiety, depression, or something deeper, we’ll work with that too.
Making everyday life feel manageable again
Together, we’ll find a rhythm that feels manageable. Not strict or overwhelming — just something that gives you a little more structure than what you’ve been living with. It might include things like moving your body, trying new activities, or simply learning how to rest without reaching for a screen.
Mindfulness and regulation
You’ll learn how to notice those moments when the pull to play gets strong — and what’s really going on underneath. Instead of trying to fight it, we’ll help you slow down, take a breath, and choose what comes next.
We use things like body-based awareness, grounding exercises, and quiet time outside — all simple tools that help you come back to yourself.
Support from family and community
If your relationships have taken a hit, we offer sessions where you and your loved ones can talk things through in a safe space. You’ll also have access to group support, both during and after treatment, so you don’t feel like you’re doing this alone.
We’ll work with you to create a plan for what comes next — something you can take with you and return to when things feel shaky.
If it feels like gaming has started to take over more than you ever meant it to, it’s okay to take a step back. You don’t have to give it up forever, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We’re here if you want to talk. You can call us on +27 87 250 2843 or email us at booking@whiteriverrecovery.co.za to find out more.
No pressure. No judgment. Just a chance to talk about what’s going on, and what life could look like with more space to breathe.
Yes, but recovery doesn’t always look like a straight line. You won’t suddenly stop wanting to play overnight. But with support, you can rebuild your focus. You can get your time back. You can feel more connected to life again — without needing a screen to feel okay.
Typically, the pattern needs to be present for at least a year. But you don’t have to wait that long to ask for help. If it’s affecting your life, that’s reason enough to talk to someone.
Absolutely. With the right kind of support, it’s possible to get your time, focus, and relationships back. It might take a little while to adjust, but you’ll start to feel more present and less controlled by the urge to play.
