TY - JOUR
T1 - Gaming disorder and the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - Treatment demand and service delivery challenges
AU - King, Daniel L.
AU - Achab, Sophia
AU - Higuchi, Susumu
AU - Bowden-Jones, Henrietta
AU - Müller, Kai W.
AU - Billieux, Joël
AU - Starcevic, Vladan
AU - Saunders, John B.
AU - Tam, Philip
AU - Delfabbro, Paul H.
PY - 2022/6
Y1 - 2022/6
N2 - Gaming activities have conferred numerous benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some individuals may be at greater risk of problem gaming due to disruption to adaptive routines, increased anxiety and/or depression, and social isolation. This paper presents a summary of 2019-2021 service data from specialist addiction centers in Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Treatment demand for gaming disorder has exceeded service capacity during the pandemic, with significant service access issues. These data highlight the need for adaptability of gaming disorder services and greater resources and funding to respond effectively in future public health crises.
AB - Gaming activities have conferred numerous benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some individuals may be at greater risk of problem gaming due to disruption to adaptive routines, increased anxiety and/or depression, and social isolation. This paper presents a summary of 2019-2021 service data from specialist addiction centers in Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Treatment demand for gaming disorder has exceeded service capacity during the pandemic, with significant service access issues. These data highlight the need for adaptability of gaming disorder services and greater resources and funding to respond effectively in future public health crises.
KW - addiction
KW - behavioral addiction
KW - gaming disorder
KW - problematic gaming
KW - service delivery
KW - treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85128810291&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://purl.org/au-research/grants/ARC/DE170101198
U2 - 10.1556/2006.2022.00011
DO - 10.1556/2006.2022.00011
M3 - Article
C2 - 35413005
AN - SCOPUS:85128810291
SN - 2062-5871
VL - 11
SP - 243
EP - 248
JO - Journal of Behavioral Addictions
JF - Journal of Behavioral Addictions
IS - 2
ER -
