NHS opens clinic for online gaming addicts
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is opening the first specialist clinic to treat children and young adults aged between 13 to 25 years who are addicted to playing computer games. General practitioners and other health professionals in the UK can refer gaming addicts to the service, with treatments starting next month. Located in London alongside the National Problem Gambling Clinic, the clinic will be part of the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions in London and the patients referred to the clinic will either be attended in person or have an online consultation using Skype.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognised ‘gaming disorder’ as a medical condition last year. The disorder has been added to the revised edition of the International Classification of Diseases, which is a guide for doctors worldwide to see WHO recognised diseases.
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