Gaming & Internet Addiction Treatment in Thailand
Holina Rehab provides licensed residential treatment for Gaming Disorder — the video-game-specific diagnosis recognised by the World Health Organization — on the island of Koh Phangan, Thailand. This page covers the clinical criteria, our CBT-led treatment process, Dual Treatment for co-occurring anxiety or depression, and how to reach our clinical team.
- Licensed Facility
- CBT & Dual Treatment
- Koh Phangan, Thailand
- 30–90 Day Programmes
What Is Gaming Disorder?
Gaming Disorder is a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour — online or offline — marked by impaired control over gaming, gaming taking increasing priority over other life interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative consequences. The World Health Organization formally added Gaming Disorder to the ICD-11 (code 6C51), effective 2022, when the pattern is severe enough to significantly impair personal, family, social, educational, or occupational functioning, typically evident for at least 12 months.
It is important to be precise about scope. Gaming Disorder — specific to video games — is an official WHO diagnosis. Broader “internet addiction,” covering general browsing, streaming or social media use beyond gaming, is not currently an official standalone diagnosis in the ICD-11 or the DSM-5; the related Internet Gaming Disorder concept appears in the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 only as a “condition for further study”, not a confirmed disorder. If social media use specifically is your primary concern, see our dedicated Social Media Addiction Treatment page — this page focuses on compulsive video-game behaviour, which carries the clearer clinical diagnosis.
The concern is not niche, and it is especially visible in this region. South Korea and China have each introduced national policy responses to problematic gaming, including dedicated treatment infrastructure and counselling programmes. Closer to home, a 2023 study of 252 undergraduates at Thammasat University found gaming disorder or problematic gaming behaviour in 14.3% of students screened (Saetia, Charoenporn & Charernboon, 2023) — well above the 3.05% global average estimated by international meta-analysis, below. At Holina Rehab, we treat compulsive gaming with CBT and our Dual Treatment programme for any co-occurring depression, anxiety, or social anxiety, in a structured, screen-free residential setting.
The World Health Organization’s ICD-11 formally recognises Gaming Disorder as a diagnosable condition. A systematic review and meta-analysis in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (Stevens et al., 2021) estimated worldwide prevalence at 3.05% (95% CI 2.38–3.91%). Holina’s Dual Treatment programme addresses gaming disorder and any co-occurring conditions together.
What Are the Signs of Gaming Disorder?
These indicators draw on the WHO ICD-11 core criteria for Gaming Disorder and the related DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder research framework, to help you recognise when gaming has crossed into a clinical concern.
Impaired Control Over Gaming
Difficulty limiting how often, how long, or when gaming happens, despite intending to cut back.
Gaming Takes Priority Over Life
Gaming increasingly outranks work, study, relationships, and other interests that once mattered.
Continued Use Despite Harm
Gaming persists or escalates even as it causes clear damage to health, work, or relationships.
Preoccupation & Cravings
Constant thoughts about gaming, planning the next session, or craving play when not playing.
Withdrawal When Gaming Stops
Irritability, anxiety, or restlessness when gaming is unavailable or access is removed.
Tolerance
Needing increasing amounts of time gaming to achieve the same sense of satisfaction.
Using Gaming to Escape
Gaming as the primary way of relieving low mood, stress, or anxiety rather than facing it directly.
Loss of Interest Elsewhere
Previous hobbies, friendships, and activities fading as gaming absorbs available time and attention.
Deception About Time Spent
Minimising or hiding the true extent of gaming from family, partners, or colleagues.
How Is Gaming Disorder Treated at Holina Rehab?
Gaming Disorder is treated at Holina Rehab through a four-stage residential pathway — assessment, a structured digital reset, primary care, and aftercare — combined with our Dual Treatment programme for any co-occurring anxiety or depression.
Assessment
Comprehensive clinical and psychological evaluation. Individual treatment plan from day one.
Digital Reset
Supervised, structured removal from gaming devices and the open internet, away from daily triggers.
Primary Care
CBT, DBT, group therapy, trauma work, holistic treatments and daily structure.
Aftercare
Relapse prevention plan, healthy technology-use strategies, and alumni community support.
Evidence-Based. Individually Tailored.
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CBT for Gaming Disorder
Our therapists use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to identify the thought patterns and triggers that sustain compulsive gaming, and to build healthier coping skills in their place.
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Dual Treatment — Gaming Disorder & Behavioural Health
Co-occurring anxiety, depression, social anxiety, or trauma are treated simultaneously through our integrated dual treatment model.
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Holistic Recovery in Koh Phangan
Yoga, breathwork, HBOT, somatic therapy, and the natural environment of Koh Phangan support reconnection with the real world, away from the screen.
A Different Kind of Recovery
Licensed Clinical Facility
Holina Rehab is fully licensed by the Thai Ministry of Public Health and operates under international addiction treatment standards. Our psychologists and addiction therapists provide structured clinical oversight throughout your programme, addressing Gaming Disorder and any co-occurring behavioural or behavioural health conditions.
Dual Treatment, evidence-based therapy, and holistic recovery are delivered within a single integrated residential setting — no referrals, no gaps in care.
The Koh Phangan Recovery Environment
The tropical island setting — sea air, natural surroundings, and distance from screens and daily digital triggers — creates the conditions for the psychological reset that recovery from Gaming Disorder requires. Koh Phangan is home to one of Asia’s largest healing communities.
Clients benefit from private beach access, swimming pools, an on-site gym, and a range of holistic therapies that complement the clinical programme — replacing screen time with real-world experience.
Our Clinical Team
Treatment at Holina Rehab is led by qualified medical professionals and experienced addiction therapists. Every client is under active clinical supervision throughout their programme.
Licensed by the Thai Ministry of Public Health · Residential Rehab Licence #84-03-00294 · International Addiction Treatment Standards
Related Reading
Compulsive gaming shares the same reward-loop and impaired-control mechanics as other behavioural addictions. The most closely comparable condition is gambling addiction — the behavioural addiction that, like Gaming Disorder, is formally recognised in the diagnostic manuals.
“Amazing rehab! Perfect staff”
— Антон Гордеев, Google Review, 14 Feb 2025 · ★★★★★
Gaming & Internet Addiction Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does gaming addiction treatment take?
Most residents follow a 30, 60, or 90-day residential programme. Shorter 30-day stays stabilise the immediate crisis, while 60 and 90-day stays allow deeper work on the psychological drivers of compulsive gaming and stronger relapse prevention. The right length is set during your initial assessment, based on severity, past treatment, and any co-occurring conditions.
Is gaming disorder an officially recognised diagnosis?
Yes for video games specifically. The World Health Organization’s ICD-11 formally recognises Gaming Disorder (code 6C51) as a diagnosis, based on impaired control over gaming, gaming taking priority over other life areas, and continued gaming despite negative consequences. Broader “internet addiction” beyond gaming — covering general browsing or social media use — is not currently an official standalone diagnosis in the ICD-11 or DSM-5, though it remains an active area of clinical research. We treat both presentations, distinguishing gaming-specific patterns from wider problematic internet use during assessment.
What makes Holina’s approach to gaming disorder different?
We treat compulsive gaming as a behavioural addiction with the same clinical seriousness as substance use. Our Dual Treatment programme addresses gaming disorder and any underlying anxiety, depression, or social anxiety at the same time, using evidence-based therapies (CBT and DBT) alongside a screen-free, holistic recovery environment on Koh Phangan.
Can my family be involved in treatment?
Yes. Family involvement supports lasting recovery, and we help loved ones understand gaming disorder and rebuild trust and healthy boundaries around technology use. See our family addiction support for how families can take part.
What happens after I leave Holina Rehab?
Aftercare is built into your programme from the start. Before discharge we create a personalised relapse-prevention and continuing-care plan, including practical strategies for healthy technology use, so the progress made in residential treatment carries into daily life.
Does insurance cover gaming addiction treatment?
Holina Rehab is a private-pay facility and does not bill insurance directly. Residents can use our financing options to fund treatment. Coverage for behavioural addictions varies by provider and policy. See rehab insurance and financing for options, or how much rehab costs in Thailand, and contact our team to check your specific cover.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery?
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+66 (0) 82 113 0657 or contact us online ↓