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Gaming Addiction: Recognising the Signs &Taking Back Control

Empowering families to overcome gaming, video game, and gambling addiction and create healthier digital habits together.

Understanding Gaming Addiction

Across the UK, gaming addiction is becoming increasingly common among young people. Studies show that one in ten children aged between 8 and 18 are showing symptoms of gaming disorder, and The National Centre for Gaming Disorders sees children as young as 13 who play video games 14 hours a day. With gaming platforms offering constant online interaction, challenges, and rewards, it’s easy for play to turn into dependence.

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What Is Gaming Addiction?

Gaming addiction is a behavioural disorder in which a person’s gaming habits become compulsive and begin to interfere with their daily life, responsibilities, and relationships. It’s not simply about spending long hours playing, it’s when gaming becomes a way to escape emotions, avoid problems, or replace healthy routines, activities, and connections.

Gaming addiction develops gradually. What may start as a harmless hobby can slowly take over a person’s thoughts, emotions, and time. Modern video games are deliberately designed to keep players engaged through psychological reward systems such as achievement loops, social competition, and in-game progression. Each of these elements triggers bursts of dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical that reinforces motivation and pleasure.

Children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable, as their developing brains are highly responsive to reward-seeking and instant gratification, making it easier for gaming behaviour to spiral into addiction. Recognising this early and seeking the right help is vital to prevent long-term emotional, social, and developmental effects.

Common warning signs of gaming addiction include:

– Playing for longer periods than intended

– Feeling anxious, irritable, or low when not gaming

– Losing interest in hobbies and social interaction

– Neglecting school, work, or family commitments

– Poor sleep patterns or skipping meals

– Hiding or lying about gaming habits

Risks of Gaming Addiction

Excessive gaming affects more than just time management. It can lead to emotional, social, and even physical challenges, including:

Emotional Dysregulation:

Intense gaming can distort a person’s sense of what’s real, especially in immersive or violent environments.

Emotional Dysregulation:

Constant stimulation can heighten stress, irritability, and anxiety when away from the screen.

Sleep Disruption and Fatigue:

Late-night gaming impacts sleep cycles, concentration, and mood.

Exposure to Violent Content:

Prolonged exposure to aggressive themes may desensitise individuals and influence behaviour.

Gambling-Style Features:

Games mimic gambling behaviour, increasing emotional and financial risks, and may lead to gambling addiction.

How Rebel Therapies Can Help With Gaming Addiction

At Rebel Therapies, we understand how isolating and overwhelming gaming addiction can feel, both for the individual and their loved ones. We go beyond simple advice or quick fixes. Our approach is evidence-based, compassionate, and practical, empowering families to rebuild balance and connection.

Founded in 2017 by Munur Shah, mentor, speaker, and screen addiction specialist, Rebel Therapies helps families regain control in a world dominated by digital distractions. Munur’s personal journey with gaming and screen overuse inspired him to develop proven recovery strategies rooted in science and lived experience.

Our team includes certified coaches and therapists trained through the Association of Coaches, the Academy of Coaching and Training, and other recognised organisations. Several of our specialists are Master NLP Practitioners, a distinction held by only a small number of professionals in the UK, reflecting our commitment to excellence in therapy and coaching.

Together, we offer a range of screen addiction courses, one-to-one therapy, family mentoring, and group programmes designed to rebuild emotional awareness, strengthen communication, and restore balance.

Get In Touch With Munur
“Combat Screen Addiction taught me to build a better relationship with my children regarding how we talk to each other about their social media and gaming habit, and how we can all make informed choices about what we do online.”

Amy Robins, mum of 2 teenage girls

Gaming Addiction Treatment and Recovery Programmes

We offer a range of support options for schools and families, from our 5-part Combat Screen Harm & Addiction Programme to bespoke coaching and therapy sessions that tackle gaming dependency at its core.

Combat Screen Harm & Addiction Masterclass

Focused sessions for schools, councils, and businesses.

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Combat Screen Harm & Addiction Short Course

Awareness and coaching tools to support children in managing screen habits.

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Combat Screen Harm & Addiction Course

In-depth sessions and strategies for long-term change.

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Therapy and Coaching

One-to-one or small group support with our accredited practitioners and screen addiction experts. 

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Unsure if you or a family member needs help with gaming disorder?

Ask yourself or your loved one:

– Do I struggle to stop gaming, even when I want to?
-Have I started prioritising gaming over friends, family, or schoolwork?
-Do I lose track of time or skip meals because of gaming?
-Do I feel moody, restless, or irritable when I can’t play?
-Am I using gaming to avoid stress or difficult emotions?
-Has my sleep or routine changed because of gaming?
-Do I hide, downplay, or feel guilty about how much I play?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you’re not alone, and help is available.

Get Help now

Gaming Addiction Resources

For a deeper look at the gaming addiction topics we cover, Munur’s book Screen Addict expands on these ideas with real case studies and professional insight.

Chapter 3 – Gamification explains how games are designed to keep children playing.
Chapter 7 – Game On! shares real family stories and practical steps that create change.

You can also explore our latest insights and articles on gaming and digital wellbeing:

Petra Salva OBE

Petra Salva began her career in youth and community work after graduating with a BA Hons in Community and Youth Studies in Lancaster. Since then, she has accumulated 30 years’ experience working with young people and adults. Petra is best known for her work and contribution working in the third sector in the UK and abroad, specifically leading and designing projects within homeless charities and influencing the Government, local authorities, and the London Mayor’s Office around national and local rough sleeping strategies. She also has significant experience in leadership roles and managing large-scale change.

She has been at the forefront of developing services that directly support some of the most destitute people in our society, and in 2019 she was awarded an OBE for her years of contribution and impact in this field.

Petra is passionate about helping people and organisations to grow and develop their skills and aspirations. She is a qualified coach and mentor with many years of experience in delivering training and working one-to-one or in groups. Petra is an Accredited Executive Coach, Accredited NLP Practitioner, and is also a Master NLP accreditation.

Martin Watson

Martin is an experienced accredited psychodynamic psychotherapist with many years of working with and helping adults. Martin believes in creating a safe space and a trusting relationship can help us think and explore together the reasons you might be looking for help and counselling. He has worked with many ranges of anxiety, depression, trauma, and loss. He has a gentle, sensitive approach and would welcome meeting you to see if he can help you too.

Martin is a fully qualified psychodynamic psychotherapist accredited with the BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council). He offers individual therapy to adults and young people. He is also a registered member of the BACP (MBACP).

He has been offering individual therapy and counselling for many years in both private practise and within organisations. He is currently working with the Counselling Foundation and has previously worked at Mind in Barnet for many years. Martin also worked as part of the Grief Encounter adult bereavement counselling team.

Richard Bell

Richard brings a unique blend of professional insight and lived experience to his work as an addiction coach. With a background in tech entrepreneurship and personal recovery, Richard has an intimate understanding of the behavioural traps and dopamine cycles that underpin digital and screen-based addictions.

As an NLP Practitioner, his work is future-focused and results-driven, helping clients rewrite their inner narratives and reclaim a life of purpose and connection. Richard works one-to-one with individuals, particularly supporting young adults and professionals navigating addiction, anxiety, and life transitions.

If you’re ready to break free from screen addiction and take back control of your time, emotions, and energy, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

 

Shabazz Nelson

Shabazz has spent over 20 years supporting clients through transformative behavioural change. As a qualified psychotherapeutic practitioner and Accredited NLP Practitioner, he brings a depth of insight into the emotional, cognitive, and behavioural patterns that drive digital dependency.

With an empathetic yet strategic style, Shabazz supports both adults and young people to overcome anxiety, addiction, self-esteem issues, and emotional trauma. His coaching is grounded in psychotherapy principles, making him an exceptional guide for clients who need both depth and direction.

Shabazz is deeply committed to using his expertise to help others achieve personal resilience and growth.

Melanie Shah

Melanie is a deeply intuitive and accomplished therapist who combines Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), NLP, hypnotherapy and life coaching to address the unconscious roots of anxiety, trauma, and behavioural patterns. Her approach is both scientific and soulful, blending ancient healing with modern psychology.

With degrees in both Psychology and Finance, and an Accredited Certified EFT Practitioner through EFTi, Melanie also holds diplomas in Hypnotherapy, NLP and Life Coaching from the Optimal Health Clinic in London. Melanie is also a member of the Association of Hypnotherapy and is in the process of completing her Enhanced DBS.

Her sessions, described by clients as “gentle but powerful,” focus on unlocking stuck emotions and building deep emotional resilience. Melanie’s work is a cornerstone of our one-to-one therapeutic services at Rebel Therapies.

Munur Shah

After facing the emotional impact of screen addiction within his own family, Munur embarked on a deeply personal and professional mission to understand and combat the forces driving digital overuse. This journey led to the founding of Rebel Therapies in 2017.

Munur is an executive coach who has received his master NLP practitioner accreditation, a rigorous year-long training programme equipping him with training in advanced language patterns, behavioural modelling, and integration techniques. He is also a member of both the Association for Coaching and the Academy of Coaching and Training. His coaching and mentoring style is known for its depth, clarity, and powerful results.

Munur’s lived experience, combined with years of intensive study, empowers him to develop breakthrough strategies for families struggling with screen dependency. He is the author of Screen Addict: Parenting Success Stories That Will Change Your Life, a powerful guide for those seeking to restore balance and connection in a digitally distracted world. Widely recognised across Harrow, North London and Hertfordshire, Munur has delivered impactful talks to schools, borough councils, including Barnet Council, and prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford and Christ Church College.