Gaming Addiction Calculator

The Gaming Addiction Calculator was developed by the Paracelsus Recovery research team to classify your own conduct or the behaviour of your children and thereby foresee a possible addiction.

To learn more about gaming addiction, scroll down to the bottom of the self assessment, where you will find more information.

Try out the new gaming addiction calculator to find out if a dependency is forming:

0 – 5: No Gaming Addiction 

Based on your answers, you have a very low risk of developing a gaming addiction. If you keep going as you are, we see no reason why you can’t continue to game in moderation. 

That being said, very low risk does not mean an addiction could never form. In choosing to complete this self-assessment, it shows us that you are aware of the risks and you are mindful of your engagement with these addictive activities. Try to stay self-aware and watch out for any warning signs.

Further, if you have also taken this quiz because you are excessively worried about your behaviour and can find no rational reason to feel like this, it could be a sign that you are struggling with symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Click here to learn more about the signs and symptoms of anxiety and how we can help you overcome the condition.

5– 10: Potential for Addiction 

Based on your answers, you have a medium risk of developing a gaming addiction. In other words, it is likely that you sometimes use gaming as a coping mechanism, but you do not do it enough to constitute a full-fledged addiction. If you carry on as you are, you could end up with an addiction, so it is important to implement boundaries now.   

We would recommend trying to figure out when you use games in an addictive manner and when you engage with them in moderation. To do this, try to understand your triggers and act on them differently. The crux here is to ask yourself; when do I feel an uncontrollable urge to game? Then ask yourself, are there any negative emotions or experiences that I am trying to escape?

For example, if you notice that the urge kicks in when you feel lonely, make a plan to see a friend the next time that feeling hits. But above all else, remain vigilant with yourself and seek help as soon as you see yourself in any of the warning signs mentioned above. 

10 – 15: A Dependency Could Form. 

Based on your answers, you have a risk of developing a gaming addiction. This means that your brain may be dependent on the feel-good neurochemicals released when you play video games. So, whenever you try to spend time away from the activity, you might experience withdrawal symptoms as your brain craves those neurochemicals.

We would recommend, if possible, seeking professional help. Of course, we understand that going to rehab or a clinic for a gaming addiction is not an easy decision. At Paracelsus Recovery, our treatment programmes are built upon our pillars of harm-reduction, addressing psychological and physical imbalances and providing you with the specific psychotherapeutic treatment you need.

If professional help is not an option for you, try to reach out to a loved one and let them know that you are worried about your gaming habits. The first step is to try and spend at least one day a week away from the gaming platform. If you cannot do this, try to spend a few hours a day away and then, slowly build to one a day a week, then two days and so on. 

15 – 20: A Dependency is Forming.

Based on your answers, you have a very high risk of developing a gaming addiction. Gaming is a progressive addiction which means that you need to game more and more to obtain a fix. More often than not, this leads to other substance abuse issues to obtain those highs. You may also be experiencing withdrawal symptoms when separated from the activity, such as low mood, headaches, irritation, or exhaustion. 

We are sorry to hear you are struggling. We have seen how gaming addictions can lead to destroyed relationships, careers and other substance abuse issues. Although challenging, try to remember that recovery is possible, and help is available.  

We would recommend, if possible, seeking professional help. Of course, we understand that going to rehab or a clinic for a gaming addiction is not an easy decision. At Paracelsus Recovery, our treatment programmes are built upon our pillars of harm-reduction, addressing psychological and physical imbalances and providing you with the specific psychotherapeutic treatment you need.

If professional help is not an option for you, try to reach out to a loved one and let them know that you are worried about your gaming habits. The first step is to try and spend at least one day a week away from the gaming platform. If you cannot do this, try to spend a few hours a day away and then, slowly build to one a day a week, then two days and so on. 

Contact us at info@paracelsus-recovery.com to learn more. 

DISCLAIMER: The Gaming Addiction Calculator was created by our research team. It applies an algorithm that combines publicly available data, privately conducted surveys amongst ultra-high-net-worth families and knowledge obtained from Paracelsus Recovery’s extensive expertise in treating wealthy individuals and their families in the grips of addiction. The results depict the statistical likelihood that you will develop a gaming addiction (or already have done). Nonetheless, it cannot be overstated that it is a tool designed to generate awareness and has no predictive power.

If someone in your family has a problem, remember that help is always available, even when the situation seems hopeless. Click here to learn more about our gaming addiction treatment programme.   

What is Gaming Addiction?  

Gaming addiction is the uncontrollable urge to play video games even though it is causing problems in other areas of your life. Like all addictions, people become dependent when they are struggling with difficult emotions, childhood events or real-life stress. People become hooked not on the game itself but on the ways in which the game detaches them from these circumstances. 

 If someone is addicted to video gaming, they are much more likely to develop other addictions down the line. Most notably, people who develop a video game addiction during their adolescence are at a higher risk of substance abuse issues later on in life, especially alcohol or cannabis dependency. 

Signs of gaming addiction include: 

•       Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next session. 
•       Getting lost in the game and staying up all night or spending more hours playing than you realise or intended.
•       If in a multiplayer game, feeling excessively angry when your team loses or if you need to stop playing. 
•       Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel calm or content.  
•       Continuing to play games even though it means you will miss an important deadline or event.

If you see yourself in any of these symptoms, you might be developing a dependency. If you would like help overcoming these issues, get in touch to learn more about our residential treatment programme for gaming dependency. Because gaming addictions are highly co-occurring with other dependencies, we make sure to treat all underlying addictions and mental health issues. We can provide in-patient treatment in Zurich and London. Alternatively, we can create a fully online care plan.  

To note - if you tried out our calculator because you are worried about your gaming habits, but they do not yet constitute an addiction, that does not mean you need to continue blindly along this path. There are numerous treatment programs out there that can help you effectively address the underlying issues that are causing you to (sometimes) excessively game.