Gaming Addicts Can Soon Access Rehabilitation Treatment In The UAE

Gaming disorder is seriously shaping into a reality, and the UAE is preparing to launch its first rehabilitation centre in Abu Dhabi in 2020.

Gaming addiction is getting worse

Let’s be honest, most of us gamers born and raised in the PlayStation and PC gaming era have spent countless hours in the grid making it through hour after hour of gameplay. Some of us can even admit to feeling addicted to video games at some point. The issue is getting worse every year with news stories about divorces, deaths and extremely bizarre cases related to gaming making headlines.

Photograph credit: Pixabay

Gaming rehabilitation centre opening in the UAE by 2020

Dr Hamad Al Ghaferi, Director-General of the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), says it will open as a specialist outpatient clinic next year, welcoming Emiratis and expatriate gaming addicts.

“The NRC is welcoming all patients (who are addicted to any behaviour) to come and seek help from us. Gaming addiction is mainly a behavioural issue and we are building the capacity and training our workforce to deal with any sort of addictive behaviours.”

Dr Hamad Al Ghaferi, Director-General of the National Rehabilitation Centre

Gaming addiction classified as a disorder by the World Health Organization

Dr. Hamad says the initiative was discussed among the members of the NRC after the World Health Organization classified gaming addiction as a disorder.

They describe the disorder as, “a pattern of gaming behaviour characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”

Photograph credit: Pixabay

If you’d like to know more about gaming addiction, you can find useful information and advice on the World Health Organization’s website.