Addressing Internet Gaming Addiction in Clinical Work

In this course, Dr. Amanda Giordano, Ph.D., LPC, Associate Professor of Counselling at University of Georgia, cites the grim statistics that constitute a powerful rationale for all counsellors being equipped to recognise, assess, and respond to addictive behaviours. Dr. Giordano explains how, given that certain behaviours can stimulate the release of endogenous chemicals in the reward circuitry of the brain, behavioural addictions can be just as potent as drug or alcohol addictions. She outlines the four Cs of addiction, discusses the features of gaming and esports, and lists the characteristics of gaming that make it so rewarding. The criteria for gaming disorder in the ICD-11 and the proposed internet gaming disorder of the DSM-5 are outlined, along with the findings of a study Giordano conducted with colleagues. Treatment considerations and stages of CBT-IA therapy are briefly examined.