Reclaim your life from every form of dependency
Confidential, medically supervised programs for alcohol, drug, smoking, gambling, internet, gaming and pornography addictions, delivered by our senior psychiatry team.
Alcohol De-Addiction
Medically supervised detox • Relapse prevention • Family healing
Alcohol dependence is one of the most common and most treatable conditions we see at Realize. What often begins as a social habit, a way to unwind after work, or a coping mechanism for stress and grief can quietly evolve into a daily need, one that reshapes the brain's reward circuits, damages the liver, heart and nervous system, and slowly erodes relationships, careers and self-worth. Because alcohol is legal, culturally accepted and easily available, dependence frequently goes unnoticed until a health crisis, a workplace incident, a family confrontation or an episode of severe withdrawal forces the issue. By the time most patients reach us, they have already tried to cut down on their own many times and failed, not because of weak willpower, but because sustained alcohol use physically alters neurotransmitters like GABA, glutamate and dopamine, making the brain believe it needs alcohol just to feel normal. Our medically supervised alcohol de-addiction program is built around this reality. We begin with a thorough physical, psychiatric and social assessment: liver function tests, cardiac evaluation, screening for co-existing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or trauma, and a clear conversation with the family about goals and expectations. Detox is carried out in a calm inpatient setting with 24×7 nursing and psychiatric monitoring, using modern benzodiazepine tapers, thiamine and hydration protocols to prevent seizures, delirium tremens and the medical complications that make unsupervised withdrawal so dangerous. Once the acute phase settles, the real work begins, daily individual therapy using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Enhancement, group sessions with others in recovery, family therapy to rebuild trust and communication, and structured psychoeducation so patients understand exactly what happened to their brain and how to protect it. Anti-craving medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate or baclofen are used where clinically appropriate, alongside treatment of any underlying mental illness. We also address sleep, nutrition, exercise, spirituality and vocational plans, because sobriety only lasts when life itself becomes worth staying sober for. Discharge is never an endpoint, every patient leaves with a written relapse-prevention plan, a schedule of follow-up visits, family support guidelines and 24×7 access to our team. Confidentiality is absolute; nothing is shared with employers, extended family or anyone else without written consent. Whether you are drinking every evening, binge-drinking on weekends, or have already been hospitalised for alcohol-related illness, it is never too late to stop, and you do not have to do it alone.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Craving alcohol daily or throughout the day
- Loss of control over quantity or timing
- Withdrawal symptoms, tremors, sweating, anxiety
- Neglecting work, family or responsibilities
- Continued use despite health or relationship harm
- Hiding drinking or drinking alone
Causes and Risk Factors
- 01Genetic predisposition and family history
- 02Chronic stress, trauma or grief
- 03Co-existing depression or anxiety
- 04Peer environment and cultural normalisation
- 05Early exposure during adolescence
A complete care pathway
Medical Detox
24×7 monitored withdrawal management with modern medications for comfort and safety.
Psychiatric Care
Treatment of underlying depression, anxiety or sleep issues that fuel drinking.
Therapy and Counselling
CBT, motivational enhancement and group therapy to rebuild coping skills.
Relapse Prevention
Trigger mapping, anti-craving medication and long-term structured follow-up.
Benefits of Treatment
Better sleep, energy and physical health
Restored family and social relationships
Return of focus, memory and productivity
Financial stability and self-respect
Long-term freedom from cravings
Evidence-based care · Measurable progress · Lasting recovery
Recovery Timeline
- 1DetoxDay 1 – 10
Medically supervised withdrawal, hydration, vitamin repletion and rest.
- 2StabilisationWeek 2 – 4
Individual therapy begins, medication optimisation, family sessions.
- 3RehabilitationMonth 2 – 3
Intensive CBT, life-skills, yoga and vocational planning.
- 4AftercareMonth 4 – 12
Monthly follow-up, anti-craving medication review and relapse prevention.
Alcohol, your questions answered
Is alcohol detox safe?
Yes. Under medical supervision, withdrawal is managed comfortably with medications that prevent seizures and severe symptoms.
How long is the inpatient stay?
Typically 10–28 days depending on severity; outpatient continuation follows for 3–12 months.
Will my family know?
Only if you consent. All consultations and admissions are strictly confidential.
Do I need medication after detox?
Anti-craving medicines (naltrexone, acamprosate) are often used for 3–12 months to strengthen recovery.
Drug De-Addiction
Opioids • Cannabis • Stimulants • Prescription drugs
Drug dependence today looks very different from the stereotypes of a generation ago. At Realize we treat a wide spectrum, heroin and other opioids, prescription painkillers like tramadol and codeine, cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine and methamphetamine, benzodiazepines misused for sleep or anxiety, MDMA and party drugs, inhalants used by younger patients, and increasingly the misuse of ADHD stimulants, cough syrups and over-the-counter medicines. Each substance affects the brain in a distinct way, but they share a common trajectory: what starts as curiosity, peer influence, self-medication for pain or emotional distress, or a search for escape becomes a neurobiological need as the brain's reward, motivation and stress systems adapt to the drug. Tolerance rises, the same dose stops working, withdrawal becomes intolerable, and life narrows down to obtaining, using and recovering from the substance. Because drug use is stigmatised and often illegal, patients and families delay seeking help, sometimes until an overdose, legal trouble, financial collapse or a serious mental-health crisis makes the situation impossible to hide. Our drug de-addiction program treats addiction as the medical illness it is, without judgment. Every admission begins with a detailed psychiatric and medical assessment, urine drug screening, review of prior treatment attempts and screening for dual-diagnosis conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD or psychosis, which are present in a majority of patients and, when untreated, are the single biggest cause of relapse. Detoxification is substance-specific: opioid dependence is managed with buprenorphine-naloxone induction or symptomatic detox, benzodiazepine dependence with slow structured tapers, and stimulant or cannabis withdrawal with supportive medication for sleep, anxiety and mood. Throughout detox, patients are monitored 24×7 by our nursing and critical-care team. Once stable, patients enter an intensive rehabilitation phase, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, contingency management, trauma-informed therapy, family sessions, group therapy with peers in recovery, yoga, mindfulness and structured daily routines. Long-acting anti-craving medications such as naltrexone or maintenance buprenorphine are offered where indicated, along with treatment of any co-existing mental illness. Because drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition, aftercare is built in from day one, regular follow-up visits, medication reviews, family check-ins and access to our team at any hour. Confidentiality is protected at every step; medical records are never shared without written consent. Recovery is not just possible, with the right medical, psychological and social support, it is the expected outcome, and thousands of families have already walked this road with us.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Increasing tolerance, needing more for the same effect
- Failed attempts to cut down
- Withdrawal symptoms when stopping
- Neglecting hobbies, work or hygiene
- Legal, financial or relationship problems
- Secretive behaviour and mood swings
Causes and Risk Factors
- 01Genetic and neurobiological vulnerability
- 02Untreated mental illness (dual diagnosis)
- 03Trauma, abuse or chronic pain
- 04Peer pressure and easy availability
- 05Early experimentation in teens
A complete care pathway
Medical Detox
Opioid substitution or symptomatic detox with 24×7 monitoring by critical care team.
Dual Diagnosis Care
Simultaneous treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD or psychosis.
CBT and Motivational Therapy
Change patterns of thinking, strengthen motivation and rebuild identity.
Long-term Aftercare
Naltrexone, buprenorphine and structured relapse prevention.
Benefits of Treatment
Clear thinking and emotional stability
Improved physical health and immunity
Repaired family and social bonds
Career and educational recovery
Reduced risk of overdose and legal issues
Evidence-based care · Measurable progress · Lasting recovery
Recovery Timeline
- 1DetoxDay 1 – 14
Substance-specific withdrawal management under close medical supervision.
- 2StabilisationWeek 3 – 6
Therapy intensifies, co-existing conditions addressed, family involved.
- 3RehabilitationMonth 2 – 4
Group therapy, life-skills, vocational rehab and yoga.
- 4AftercareMonth 5 – 12+
Regular follow-up, medication maintenance and relapse-prevention planning.
Drug, your questions answered
Which drugs do you treat?
Opioids (heroin, tramadol), cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, prescription painkillers and more.
Is inpatient care mandatory?
For moderate-to-severe dependence, yes. For milder cases, structured outpatient care can work.
What is dual diagnosis?
The presence of a substance use disorder along with another mental illness. We treat both together for lasting recovery.
How is opioid withdrawal managed?
With medications like buprenorphine or symptomatic care in a comfortable inpatient setting.
Smoking and Tobacco Addiction
Cigarettes • Vaping • Chewing tobacco • Nicotine replacement
Nicotine is, gram for gram, one of the most addictive substances ever studied, more addictive than alcohol, cannabis or many prescription drugs. Yet because tobacco is legal, socially accepted and available at every street corner, most smokers do not think of themselves as having an addiction until they try to stop. Cigarettes, bidis, hookah, e-cigarettes and vapes, gutkha, khaini and other chewing tobacco all deliver nicotine to the brain in seconds, triggering a rapid dopamine release that reinforces the habit hundreds of times a day. Over the years, receptors in the brain multiply, tolerance rises, and the smoker no longer smokes for pleasure, they smoke to relieve the discomfort of not smoking. Every attempt to quit is met with irritability, anxiety, poor concentration, disturbed sleep and intense cravings that peak within hours and can persist for weeks. This is why willpower alone succeeds in fewer than one in twenty attempts, and why professional help doubles or triples the success rate. At Realize, our smoking and tobacco de-addiction program is designed to make quitting realistic and comfortable. Every patient begins with a full assessment: smoking history, pack-years, previous quit attempts, current physical health, and screening for the mood, anxiety, ADHD or alcohol-use disorders that so often coexist with heavy tobacco use. Our consultant pulmonologist reviews lung function, chronic cough, breathlessness or early COPD changes and orders spirometry and imaging where indicated, because many patients are surprised to learn that measurable lung recovery is possible within weeks of quitting. We then build an individualised plan that combines nicotine replacement therapy, patches, gums, lozenges or inhalers, with prescription anti-craving medications such as varenicline or bupropion, chosen based on medical history. Alongside medication, patients receive structured Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to identify triggers, break the smoking-trigger loop, manage stress without nicotine, and build new routines around meals, driving, breaks and social situations. Family members are involved so that homes and cars become smoke-free zones, and second-hand exposure ends for children and partners. For vape and e-cigarette users, the same principles apply, vaping is not a safe alternative, and we treat both nicotine sources together. Weight gain, mood dips and social pressure are anticipated and addressed proactively with dietary guidance, exercise planning and structured follow-up. Whether you have smoked for two years or forty, whether you have tried to quit once or a dozen times, and whether you want to stop suddenly or taper gradually, our program meets you where you are and stays with you until nicotine is no longer part of your life.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Smoking within 30 minutes of waking
- Failed quit attempts
- Smoking despite lung, throat or heart problems
- Irritability or anxiety without nicotine
- Chain smoking during stress
- Chronic cough or breathlessness
Causes and Risk Factors
- 01Early exposure and peer influence
- 02Chronic stress and coping habit
- 03Genetic nicotine metabolism
- 04Co-existing depression or anxiety
- 05Aggressive tobacco marketing
A complete care pathway
Pulmonary Assessment
Lung function testing and respiratory review by our pulmonologist.
Nicotine Replacement
Patches, gums and lozenges to manage withdrawal safely.
Behavioural Therapy
CBT to break the smoking-trigger loop and build new routines.
Anti-Craving Medication
Varenicline or bupropion where clinically appropriate.
Benefits of Treatment
Better breathing within days
Lower risk of cancer, stroke and heart attack
Improved taste, smell and skin
Significant financial savings
Freedom from daily nicotine cravings
Evidence-based care · Measurable progress · Lasting recovery
Recovery Timeline
- 1PreparationWeek 1
Assessment, quit-date planning, NRT initiation.
- 2Quit PhaseWeek 2 – 4
Peak cravings managed with medication and therapy.
- 3ConsolidationMonth 2 – 3
New routines, trigger management, lifestyle changes.
- 4MaintenanceMonth 4 – 12
Follow-up, relapse prevention and pulmonary recovery.
Smoking, your questions answered
Can I quit without medication?
Some can, but medication plus counselling doubles the success rate compared to willpower alone.
Is vaping safer?
Vaping still delivers nicotine and toxic chemicals, it is not a safe alternative and we help you quit both.
How long do cravings last?
Physical cravings peak in the first 3–5 days and fade over 4 weeks. Situational cues can persist longer.
Will I gain weight?
Some do, but structured diet and exercise guidance during the program keeps this under control.
Gambling Addiction
Behavioural addiction • Financial recovery • Family repair
Gambling addiction, clinically known as gambling disorder, is now recognised by the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association as a genuine behavioural addiction, with brain-imaging changes in the reward, motivation and decision-making circuits that closely resemble those seen in cocaine or heroin dependence. In India, the explosion of online betting apps, fantasy-sports platforms, rummy and poker sites, cricket betting exchanges and casino weekends has moved gambling from a rare vice into an easily accessible, always-on activity that can be hidden inside a phone. What often begins as an occasional bet, an office fantasy league or an early lucky win gradually becomes a compulsive need, chasing losses with larger stakes, borrowing money to keep playing, lying to family about time and finances, and experiencing restlessness or irritability whenever an attempt is made to stop. By the time patients reach us, most have accumulated significant debt, damaged their marriages, jeopardised jobs and sometimes faced legal or safety consequences. Shame and secrecy are enormous, and it is common for the family to discover the extent of the problem only when a bank statement, a call from a lender or a suicidal moment forces disclosure. At Realize, we treat gambling addiction with the same clinical seriousness as a substance addiction, and with equal confidentiality. Every patient begins with a psychiatric evaluation that specifically screens for the conditions most often found alongside gambling disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and suicidal ideation. We take a detailed gambling history: preferred platforms, triggers, patterns, financial exposure and impact on work and relationships. Treatment is primarily psychological, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to challenge the distorted thinking that fuels gambling (the illusion of control, the belief that a win is 'due', the tendency to remember wins and forget losses), Motivational Enhancement Therapy to strengthen commitment to change, and structured relapse-prevention work around triggers such as boredom, stress, alcohol and payday. Medications such as naltrexone or SSRIs may be added when impulse control is severe or a mood disorder is present. Alongside clinical care, we provide practical financial counselling, helping patients hand over financial control to a trusted family member for a defined period, work with banks to install gambling blocks, use self-exclusion on betting platforms, and rebuild a realistic debt-repayment plan. Family therapy is central, because trust has usually been broken and needs a structured pathway to rebuild. Recovery is entirely possible; with sustained treatment, most patients are able to stop gambling completely and gradually restore their finances, relationships and self-respect.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Preoccupation with gambling
- Chasing losses with bigger bets
- Borrowing or lying to fund gambling
- Restlessness when unable to gamble
- Jeopardised relationships or job
- Financial crisis or debts
Causes and Risk Factors
- 01Dopamine dysregulation in reward circuits
- 02Co-existing mood or ADHD disorders
- 03Easy access to online betting apps
- 04Early wins reinforcing behaviour
- 05Stress, boredom or loneliness
A complete care pathway
Psychiatric Assessment
Screen for co-existing depression, bipolar, ADHD or substance use.
CBT and Motivational Therapy
Reshape gambling-related beliefs and impulse control.
Financial Counselling
Practical debt management, budgeting and family financial planning.
Relapse Prevention
App blockers, self-exclusion tools and long-term follow-up.
Benefits of Treatment
Freedom from constant urges
Restored financial control
Repaired family trust
Reduced anxiety and depression
Return to meaningful goals
Evidence-based care · Measurable progress · Lasting recovery
Recovery Timeline
- 1AssessmentWeek 1
Full psychiatric and financial evaluation.
- 2Intensive TherapyWeek 2 – 8
Weekly CBT, family sessions, digital hygiene.
- 3ConsolidationMonth 3 – 6
Group support, medication if indicated, lifestyle rebuild.
- 4AftercareMonth 7 – 12
Monthly follow-up, relapse-prevention plan.
Gambling, your questions answered
Is gambling really an addiction?
Yes, it is classified as a behavioural addiction in DSM-5 with brain changes similar to substance addictions.
Do you help with debts?
We provide financial counselling and refer to trusted debt-management services as part of holistic care.
Is medication used?
Sometimes, naltrexone or SSRIs help when impulse control or co-existing conditions are present.
Can online betting be blocked?
Yes, we guide self-exclusion, app blockers and bank-level gambling blocks.
Internet Addiction
Compulsive scrolling • Social media • Digital detox
Problematic internet and social-media use has quietly become one of the most common reasons families reach out to us, from parents worried about a teenager who cannot put down the phone, to working adults who realise that their sleep, productivity and relationships have all been eroded by endless scrolling. The internet itself is not the problem; the problem is that many of the applications we use every day, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reels, Snapchat, Twitter/X, dating apps, shopping apps, news feeds, are engineered around the same variable-reward principles that make slot machines addictive. Every pull-to-refresh, every notification, every autoplay is designed to trigger a small dopamine release, and the brain quickly learns to seek that release hundreds of times a day. Over time this rewires attention, patience, mood regulation and sleep. Patients describe an inability to focus for more than a few minutes, a compulsive need to check the phone the moment they wake, anxiety when the phone is out of reach, disrupted sleep from late-night scrolling, worsening academic or work performance, and a growing sense that real life has become less interesting than the feed. In children and adolescents, excessive screen use is strongly linked to poor sleep, falling grades, irritability, social withdrawal, low self-esteem driven by social comparison, and rising rates of anxiety and depression. In adults, it commonly co-exists with generalised anxiety, ADHD, depression, insomnia and marital conflict. Our internet-addiction program does not demand digital abstinence, for most people that is neither realistic nor necessary. Instead, we help patients move from compulsive, reactive use to purposeful, controlled use. Assessment begins with a detailed screen-time audit across devices and apps, along with a full psychiatric evaluation to identify and treat any co-existing anxiety, ADHD, depression or sleep disorder that is driving the behaviour. We then design an individualised digital-hygiene plan: turning off non-essential notifications, removing high-friction apps from the home screen, using app timers and blockers, creating device-free zones (bedroom, dining table, first hour of the morning, last hour before bed), and re-establishing a healthy sleep-wake schedule. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy targets the beliefs and urges that maintain compulsive use, urge-surfing skills help patients ride out cravings without giving in, and structured lifestyle work reintroduces exercise, hobbies, in-person social contact, reading and outdoor time. For adolescents we work closely with parents to set consistent, respectful boundaries without escalating conflict. Change is usually visible within two to four weeks, sleep improves first, followed by mood, focus and relationships, and long-term follow-up helps patients maintain a balanced, self-directed relationship with technology.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Spending 6+ hours/day online without purpose
- Anxiety when phone is unavailable
- Sleep disruption from late-night scrolling
- Declining school or work performance
- Withdrawal from real-world relationships
- Constant checking of notifications
Causes and Risk Factors
- 01Dopamine loops built by app design
- 02Underlying anxiety, ADHD or depression
- 03Social isolation or loneliness
- 04Escape from stress or trauma
- 05Lack of structured routines
A complete care pathway
Psychiatric Screening
Identify co-existing anxiety, ADHD or depressive symptoms.
CBT for Internet Use
Restructure beliefs, urge-surfing and behavioural experiments.
Digital Hygiene Plan
Screen-time limits, notification detox, device-free zones.
Lifestyle Rebuild
Sleep, exercise, hobbies and real-world connection.
Benefits of Treatment
Restored sleep and concentration
Better academic and work performance
Reduced anxiety and low mood
Meaningful offline relationships
Sense of control over time
Evidence-based care · Measurable progress · Lasting recovery
Recovery Timeline
- 1AssessmentWeek 1
Screen-time audit, psychiatric evaluation, goal setting.
- 2Detox PhaseWeek 2 – 4
Structured reduction, blockers, alternative activities.
- 3Skill BuildingMonth 2 – 3
CBT, family sessions, hobby reintroduction.
- 4MaintenanceMonth 4 – 6
Follow-up, long-term digital-wellness planning.
Internet, your questions answered
Is internet addiction a real diagnosis?
It is a recognised behavioural addiction with defined criteria; internet gaming disorder is in the ICD-11.
Do I have to quit the internet completely?
No, the goal is controlled, purposeful use, not total abstinence.
Can teens and adults both be treated?
Yes. We tailor the program by age, with strong parental involvement for adolescents.
How soon will I see changes?
Sleep and mood usually improve within 2–4 weeks of structured reduction.
Gaming Addiction
Online gaming • Esports overuse • Family and academic recovery
Gaming disorder was formally recognised by the World Health Organization in the ICD-11 in 2019, and in India it has become one of the fastest-growing reasons families seek psychiatric help, particularly for adolescents and young adults. Modern online games such as PUBG/BGMI, Free Fire, Valorant, Call of Duty Mobile, Fortnite, GTA Online, Dota, League of Legends and countless mobile MMORPGs are not simply pastimes; they are meticulously engineered products that combine social belonging, achievement, competition, ranked progression, loot boxes, in-app purchases and endless updates to keep players engaged for as many hours as possible. For a vulnerable young brain, especially one already struggling with anxiety, ADHD, depression, social difficulties or bullying, gaming offers something powerful: predictable rewards, a controllable world, a sense of mastery, and a community of friends who are always available. The problem begins when gaming stops being a chosen leisure activity and becomes a compulsive priority, when sleep is sacrificed for late-night sessions, when meals and hygiene are neglected, when school marks or work performance drop sharply, when the player becomes irritable, aggressive or tearful the moment the device is taken away, and when family relationships collapse under the strain. Parents typically describe months of escalating conflict, hidden play, broken promises, lying about screen time, in-app spending on parents' cards, and physical aggression when the router is switched off. At Realize, we treat gaming disorder with structured, evidence-based care rather than punishment or forced abstinence, both of which typically backfire. Assessment begins with a detailed gaming history, hours played, games and platforms involved, in-game spending, sleep patterns, academic or work impact, and a full psychiatric evaluation for the conditions that commonly co-exist, especially ADHD, anxiety, depression, social phobia and, in some patients, undiagnosed autism-spectrum traits. Family dynamics are explored carefully; escalating parent-child conflict is often as much a driver of gaming as the games themselves. Treatment combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for the young person (identifying triggers, restructuring beliefs, building coping and social skills), structured family therapy and parent-coaching to set consistent, negotiated boundaries without hostility, and a graded reduction plan supported by device controls, router-level time limits and clear house rules. Where indicated, we treat co-existing psychiatric conditions with medication and therapy, because a young person with untreated ADHD, depression or anxiety will almost always return to gaming if the underlying condition is not addressed. Alternative activities, sports, arts, tuition, part-time work, in-person friendships, are systematically reintroduced. With time, most patients regain control over their gaming, their sleep and their lives.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Playing 6+ hours a day, most days
- Anger or aggression when interrupted
- Neglecting food, sleep or hygiene
- Falling grades or work performance
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Spending money on in-game purchases
Causes and Risk Factors
- 01Dopamine and reward loops in game design
- 02Underlying ADHD, anxiety or depression
- 03Escape from real-world stress
- 04Social belonging via online communities
- 05Lack of alternative activities
A complete care pathway
Psychiatric Evaluation
Assess for ADHD, anxiety, depression and family dynamics.
CBT and Family Therapy
Restructure gaming beliefs and rebuild family communication.
Structured Detox Plan
Graded reduction with device controls and monitored screen time.
Alternative Activities
Sports, arts, social skills and vocational engagement.
Benefits of Treatment
Improved academic and work outcomes
Restored sleep and physical health
Better mood and reduced irritability
Repaired family relationships
Healthy hobbies and social life
Evidence-based care · Measurable progress · Lasting recovery
Recovery Timeline
- 1AssessmentWeek 1
Gaming-use log, psychiatric evaluation, family briefing.
- 2DetoxWeek 2 – 4
Structured reduction, environment changes, coping-skill training.
- 3RehabilitationMonth 2 – 3
CBT, family therapy, reintroduction of offline activities.
- 4AftercareMonth 4 – 6
Follow-up, relapse-prevention plan, long-term monitoring.
Gaming, your questions answered
When does gaming become an addiction?
When it significantly impairs sleep, school/work, health or relationships for 12+ months (or severe over shorter periods).
Should I confiscate the device?
Abrupt removal often backfires, we guide a graded, negotiated reduction with clear rules.
Do you treat adults too?
Yes. Many working adults now need help for gaming that disrupts jobs and marriage.
Is medication needed?
Only if there is co-existing ADHD, anxiety or depression, the core treatment is behavioural.
Pornography Addiction
Confidential • Non-judgmental • Evidence-based care
Compulsive pornography use is one of the most common, and most silently suffered, concerns brought to our clinic. The universal availability of high-speed internet and smartphones has made explicit material accessible around the clock, in complete privacy, and free of cost. For many, occasional viewing remains just that; for others, particularly those exposed at a young age or struggling with loneliness, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties or trauma, use gradually becomes compulsive. Patients describe an escalating pattern: increasing frequency and duration, a need for more novel or extreme content to feel the same effect, use late at night at the cost of sleep and productivity, viewing at work or in inappropriate situations, and repeated failed attempts to stop. Over months and years this pattern can affect sexual functioning (erectile difficulties, delayed ejaculation, reduced desire for real partners), damage intimacy in existing relationships, generate intense shame and secrecy, and worsen underlying depression, anxiety and self-esteem, creating a loop in which the very thing being used to cope becomes a major source of distress. Many patients delay seeking help for years because of embarrassment or the fear of being judged. At Realize, our approach is entirely non-judgmental, medically informed and strictly confidential, nothing is shared with family, partners or employers without written consent, and patients may attend individually or with a partner as they choose. Assessment begins with a private psychiatric evaluation that screens for depression, anxiety, OCD-spectrum features, ADHD, trauma history, substance use and sexual-health concerns, because these conditions frequently coexist and must be treated together. We take a careful history of pornography use, triggers, patterns and impact, always at the patient's pace. Treatment is primarily psychological. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps patients understand the reward loops involved, restructure unhelpful beliefs about sex and self-worth, develop urge-surfing and coping skills, and build healthier routines. Where appropriate, sexual-health counselling addresses performance concerns and helps rebuild intimacy, with partner-inclusive sessions offered as an option, never a requirement. Practical digital-boundary work is central: content blockers on all devices, accountability tools, structured phone-use routines, and elimination of high-risk situations such as late-night solo screen time. Mindfulness, sleep, exercise and social re-engagement round out the plan. For patients with co-existing depression, anxiety or OCD-spectrum symptoms, medication may be added. Most patients notice meaningful change within eight to twelve weeks of consistent work, with continued follow-up for six to twelve months to consolidate gains. Recovery here is not about shame or moral judgment, it is about restoring choice, intimacy, self-respect and mental wellbeing.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Compulsive daily viewing despite trying to stop
- Escalating content to feel the same effect
- Impact on real-life intimacy or performance
- Neglect of work, sleep or relationships
- Shame, guilt and low self-esteem
- Loss of control over time spent
Causes and Risk Factors
- 01Dopamine sensitisation and reward loops
- 02Underlying depression, anxiety or loneliness
- 03Early exposure and habit formation
- 04Trauma or attachment difficulties
- 05Easy 24×7 access on personal devices
A complete care pathway
Psychiatric Assessment
Screen for depression, anxiety, OCD-spectrum features and trauma.
CBT and Sexual Health Therapy
Address urges, restructure beliefs and restore healthy intimacy.
Digital Boundaries
Content blockers, accountability tools and structured routines.
Relapse Prevention
Trigger mapping, mindfulness, long-term follow-up.
Benefits of Treatment
Restored sexual health and intimacy
Improved mood, focus and self-esteem
Reduced shame and secrecy
Healthier relationships and communication
Long-term freedom from compulsive urges
Evidence-based care · Measurable progress · Lasting recovery
Recovery Timeline
- 1AssessmentWeek 1
Confidential evaluation, goal setting, safety planning.
- 2InterventionWeek 2 – 8
Weekly CBT, digital boundaries, partner sessions if desired.
- 3ConsolidationMonth 3 – 4
Mindfulness, sexual-health therapy, lifestyle rebuild.
- 4AftercareMonth 5 – 12
Monthly follow-up, relapse-prevention plan.
Pornography, your questions answered
Is my consultation truly confidential?
Absolutely. Nothing is disclosed to family, employer or anyone else without your written consent.
Do I need medication?
Usually not. Medication is only considered for co-existing depression, anxiety or OCD-spectrum symptoms.
Can couples come together?
Yes, partner-inclusive therapy is often powerful, and completely optional.
How long is treatment?
Most people see meaningful change in 8–12 weeks with continued follow-up for 6–12 months.
Ready to take the first step?
A confidential 15-minute call can change everything. Our team is available 24×7.