Media addiction

Excessive or uncontrolled use of media can lead to addiction with consequential damage to health. It is often characterized by those affected compulsively spending an above-average amount of time with these media and online services. The following addictions, for example, fall under the collective term media addiction:

• Internet addiction: aimless internet use with a large time quota
• Computer and online gaming addiction: excessive use of computer and online games
• Social network addiction: excessive use of social networks and electronic means of communication (for example, chats and forums)
• Online gambling addiction: excessive use of gambling offers on the Internet
• Online shopping addiction: recurrent compulsive buying behavior of consumer goods and services on the Internet
• Online sex addiction: excessive consumption of pornographic content on the Internet

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies media addiction ("gaming disorder") as a behavioural addiction and has officially recognized computer and online gaming addiction as a disease. According to the WHO, for a person to be considered a computer game addict, the following three criteria must occur repeatedly over a period of 12 months:

• Proven loss of control over the frequency and duration of their own gaming,
• Significant prioritization of gaming in everyday life over other activities, hobbies, work, school and social contacts,
• Continued gaming even though negative consequences have already occurred as a result.

These criteria are largely transferable to other forms of media and internet addiction. Here you can take a self-test on your Internet or computer game use. Via Online Media Advisor you can also find out more about responsible media use and develop your online skills in order to recognize possible signs of addiction at an early stage.

If you think that you or someone close to you is suffering from a media addiction, addiction counseling can help. Professional addiction counseling is confidential, offers addicted people solutions and accompanies the possible path out of addiction.

1. Information

   The media addiction counseling service informs those affected and their relatives about the disease, its causes, symptoms and consequences.

2. Diagnosis and assessment

   It helps with the diagnosis of media addiction and provides an assessment of the severity of the addiction.

3. Support

   It offers emotional support and practical advice for those affected and their families.

4. Therapy planning

   Media addiction counseling supports the development of an individual therapy plan that is tailored to the respective situation of those affected.

5. Mediation to specialized treatment services

   It establishes contact with suitable therapists, self-help groups or rehabilitation centers.

6. Aftercare

   After treatment, media addiction counseling supports the process of reintegration into everyday life and also offers relapse prevention measures.

7. Support for relatives

   It offers advice and support for relatives to help them deal with the situation and provide meaningful support for those affected.

8. Prevention

   The media addiction counseling service provides information about the risks and consequences of excessive media consumption and offers strategies for prevention.

In the first step, it is not necessary for you to bring any documents to the initial addiction counseling session. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about your previous media use during the initial consultation.

• During a media addiction consultation, you will discuss with a specialist how and with what consequences you are currently consuming media, such as online games or websites.
• You will be asked questions about your current life circumstances.
• The next step is to find out how motivated you are to change your current situation and what goals you are pursuing with regard to your media consumption.
• During the consultation, you will be shown what options are available to overcome the addiction, for example by arranging addiction treatment, therapy places or self-help groups.

Important: The people with whom you have contact in the context of media addiction counseling are subject to the legal duty of confidentiality.

Addiction counseling is usually free if you go to a public counseling center. Psychosocial services are also usually free of charge, as the counselling centres are usually funded by municipalities, cities and federal states, or they belong to a church or a charitable organization.

Since computer gaming disorder is officially recognized as an illness, therapeutic treatment is paid for by health insurance companies and pension insurance providers. Fees may be charged for voluntarily completed and supplementary courses that are not part of the counseling or treatment offer.

In Germany, there are addiction counseling centers in almost every town where you can get help if you are affected. There are also online services and telephone counseling.

• Federal Addiction and drug hotline: 01806 - 31 30 31
  (24 hours a day, €0.20/call from a landline, mobile max. €0.60/call)
• Phone counseling (free of charge): 0800 - 111 0 111 or 0800 - 111 0 222

Most counseling centers also offer counseling sessions for loved ones. If you suspect that someone close to you may be suffering from a media addiction, you can find more information on the counseling page for relatives.

It is understandable that parents are concerned if their child spends a lot of time on the internet or playing computer games. However, the proportion of young people diagnosed with media or computer game addiction is relatively small. The signs are usually only temporary. Nevertheless, it is important to educate children and young people about the opportunities and risks of media at an early age. Bans are usually not the right solution. Make agreements with your child and set limits for media use within the family so that they can learn how to use it responsibly.

There are media guides for families that inform parents and guardians about current developments in the media world and provide everyday tips on how you can support your child's media use. In addition to an addiction counseling center, you can also find help at a family and educational counseling center or via the parents' hotline.

Here your child can take an online self-test on their Internet or computer game use.

In addition to health consequences, certain forms of media addiction such as online gambling addiction or online shopping addiction can also cause serious financial damage. Gambling addiction, for example, is a recognized mental illness and is closely linked to media addiction due to the wide range of games of chance and (sports) betting on the internet.

Debt caused by excessive spending on consumer goods or high stakes usually leads to additional tensions and conflicts in the private and professional environment. If you or someone close to you is addicted to gambling or shopping and has accumulated debts as a result, debt counseling is available in addition to regular addiction counseling. This will help you to get your finances back under control.

As a rule, addiction counseling sessions are anonymous. If you want to be sure, call the counseling center in your region or online in advance and ask.

After the consultation, there are various options. During the consultation, the counselor will ideally have identified the most suitable help options for you. Treatment can combine medical, psychological and sociotherapeutic measures. During the consultation, you may have discovered that a self-help group or therapy would be the best solution for you. There are outpatient therapies, treatments in day clinics (all-day outpatient) or inpatient therapies.

IMPORTANT: You will not be forced to do anything. All steps you decide to take are voluntary!

The aim of addiction counseling is to determine the extent of the addictive behavior and to develop individual solution strategies for healthy and responsible media use. Media skills, other leisure activities and social relationships as well as (re-)entering professional life should be particularly encouraged. As media, the internet and smartphones have become an integral part of our everyday lives, completely abstaining from media is not a prerequisite for successful treatment. However, in the case of a pronounced addiction, abstinence can be useful, especially at the beginning of treatment.

Addiction counseling centers primarily have an advisory function: Your counselor will show you which measures are suitable for you, make recommendations for offers of help and, if necessary, put you in touch with a self-help group.

You can find out what specific options your advice center offers over the phone or during your initial consultation.

The counselor will not force you to do anything, as this is a consultation. The aim of this advice is to find a way to help you together.