Video Game Addiction: Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?
Biology 202
2002 Second Paper
On Serendip
Video Game Addiction: Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?
Mary Schlimme
Super Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Street Fighter are familiar names to nearly all of us. They are all best selling games of major video game consoles. Over 9.8 billion dollars were spent on video games in the United States during 2001 alone, and video game consoles are present in 36 million homes in the United States (1). With the increasing amount of time that people are spending on video games, one is left to wonder if it is possible to become addicted to video games. Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?
Addiction has been defined as "A primary, chronic disease, characterized by impaired control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or behavior. Clinically, the manifestations occur along biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions (2)." While there is currently no category for video game addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3), which is the manual utilized to diagnose psychological disorders, video game addicts are often described by clinicians in the field as displaying many symptoms characteristic of other addictions. These behaviors include failure to stop playing games, difficulties in work or school, telling lies to loved ones, decreased attention to personal hygiene, decreased attention to family and friends, and disturbances in the sleep cycle (4). Withdrawal symptoms can even include behaviors as severe as shaking (5).
All addictions can be dangerous and harmful to the addicted person and others around him; however, video game addiction can be particularly detrimental to children. Video games are becoming increasingly popular with children of young ages, which in turn may raise the likelihood that these children will develop addictions to video games. Furthermore, playing violent games may be associated with a tendency to behave more aggressively, although the data are inconclusive about the cause and effect nature of this relationship (6). In a study by Irwin and Gross, children who played a violent video game displayed a higher level of aggression than children who played a nonviolent game (6). Similarly, in a study by Calvert and Tan, college students who played a violent video game reported more aggressive thoughts after playing the game than college students who played a nonviolent game (6). Although several researchers advocate the position that video games cause violent behavior in children and adults, there are also many researchers who support the opposite belief, which is that video games purge one's desire to act violently and thus reduce the amount of violence in which a person will engage (5). Other detrimental effects of video games include taking time away from a child's studies or homework and decreased social skills (5). Finally, despite possible detrimental effects of excessive video game playing, there are benefits to playing video games in moderation. For instance, video games may improve spatial abilities, the ability to create and apply multiple strategies, and may help develop critical analyzing techniques (7). Due to the nature of video games, psychological, social, and neurological factors have all been associated with excessive video game playing.
The psychological cycle of substance addiction and other maladaptive behaviors can be applied to video games as well. A person playing a video game feels an emotional high, commonly known as an adrenaline rush, as a result of his gaming tactics (8). He then plays the game more and pushes his physical and psychological limits in order to experience the emotional high. Eventually, he will again reach a level that stimulates the production of adrenaline. The cycle may continue until it leads to an unhealthy level of interaction with video games, which some professionals may label video game addiction. Even famous psychological effects such as the sunk cost fallacy can influence the addictive cycle. This fallacy occurs when a person feels compelled to continue performing a certain behavior because he has previously invested time in the behavior and does not want to feel as though his investment was wasted (9). Similarly, Dr. Timothy Miller, a clinical psychologist, states that many video game players may feel that they have wasted their efforts if they do not reach the next goal in a game, which may lead to additional time spent playing the game that the person otherwise would have spent in a more constructive task (4).
According to Dr. Orzack, the Director of Computer Addiction Services at McLean Hospital, social pressure or lack of social skills can also lead to video game addiction (4). Dr. Orzack suggests that many video game addicts have struggled with finding their place in society and as a result play video games in order to become part of a crowd. The players then may feel compelled to reach the next level of achievement in the game in order to flaunt their abilities in front of their peer group (4). While these social effects are important to consider when investigating the development of excessive video game playing, it is equally important to discuss the neurological effects as well.
Not only can excessive video game playing cause behavioral and social changes in a person, but it can also result in neurological changes as well. A recent study utilized positron emission tomography in order to show that levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine increased while playing video games (10). Dopamine is believed to mediate several behaviors, one of which is the experience of pleasure. For example, dopamine levels increase in emaciated rats when the rats are presented with food, and similar effects are found when water deprived rats are presented with water. Despite the positive effects of dopamine, high levels of the neurotransmitter have also been associated with addictions to drugs and substances (11). Because increased levels of dopamine have been found in people who are playing video games and because these effects are similar to the increased levels of dopamine in drug addicts, some researchers have hypothesized that higher levels of dopamine can produce a dangerous cycle leading to addiction of video games (11). However, because this research is fairly novel, studies replicating the data are necessary. Furthermore, the possibility of involvement of other neurotransmitters during video game play should be explored since it is possible that multiple neurotransmitters may interact in addictive behaviors. Finally, because this area of research is fairly new, many interesting questions can be raised. For instance, does excessive playing of video games cause a fundamental and permanent change in the dopamine system? If so, what are the subsequent effects on the pleasure systems of these individuals? Do these people require more dopamine to be released as a result of a decreased sensitivity to dopamine that was caused by the excessive play, in a way similar to other addictions (10)? If future studies demonstrate these patterns, and if they are considered in unison with the psychological and social ramifications of excessive video game playing, it can be concluded that the video game addiction can and does exist. In that case, the answer to the initial question of "Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?" is most certainly yes.
References
1)Assorted Gaming Statistics, A good reference for game statistics
2)Definitions in Addiction Medicine,
3)Computer and Cyberspace Addiction,
5)Video games: Cause for concern?,
6)Video games: Research, ratings, and recommendations, Contains many references for empirical studies
8)Are video games really so bad?,
10)Positron Emission Tomography ,
11)The Biochemistry of Human Addiction, Discusses the role of dopamine in addiction
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Continuing conversation
(to contribute your own observations/thoughts, post comments on the Video Game Experiences Forum on Serendip) 07/12/2005, from a Reader on the Web I find that when I play games that when I play some video i get a high, until I start to find my self doing the same thing over and over again. But just because you can get bored doesn't make it addictive. If you hit a jump on your bike for a while, eventually it gets boring. You just find a bigger jump.
Sure video games give an adreniline rush at times, but is excitment the main addictive factor? I have to disagree. More importantly, there are styles of play constantly practiced in MMORPGS that are not fun and not exciting, but felt to be necessary. First, this isn't just a kid thing. I know plenty of adults who waste time playing video-games, myself included (this is about my problem)... and I think it would be more appropiate to classify it as an obsessive behavior. (I'm no doctor, so I'll agree addiction works well as a loose definition.) My "addiction": I'd describe my problem using Tetris as an example. It's like the images get burned into my brain, and I'll see the shapes when I close my eyes (ecspesically be for I go to sleep or as I wake up). It seems to become predominant in my subconcious, and I feel a need to play the game to make the visions concrete. The problem is the patterns get stuck in my head. And it doesn't seem to matter what game I play. All video games are pattern oriented in some way: you must learn the pattern to kill the boss at the end of a level, learn patterns unique to various adversaries, etc. I think the addiction is based on trying to complete a pattern that has no end. Be it simple game of Tetris or a complex MMORPG. This is reinforced by being continually rewared in someway during the process: this can be points or (even better) gaining an ability or item to make your patterns more complex. In the highly addictive MMORPGS, there is a type of player (or style of play) who is addicted to the game but is not addicted to the adreneline rush. They are called farmers and grinders. It's also NOT A FUN way to play, but it is done by everyone who has played an MMORPG. The farmer will mine resources for hours upon hours, and can be without being interupted by adversaries (increasing points or gold). There are also groups that band together to increase the ability to farm. There is no type of adreniline rush playing in this way, but it is a style of play that is obsessive. Players will spend hours in one place farming the same area until physical exhaustion.(I've done it, and I've chatted with players who are barely awake who even fall asleep in front of the computer.) Then there is "Grinding". This is done by killing monsters for hours (increasing experiance points). There is no adreniline rush, because there is little danger invovled (the monsters cannot kill the character easily). In fact, there is no challenge to the player in this style of play; yet players will grind until exhaustion soley for the reward of points. In conclusion, there is an addictive quality to games that I have experianced. I doubt adreniline is the key to understanding video-game addiction. The excitment is just the hook. And worse, I doubt limiting time will help because the patterns get stuck in the mind of the addicted player and the thoughts can interfere with mental thought processes. For me (even when I am away from a game that I have been playing), I have a hard time trying to stop thinking about the patterns.
I'm a college student struggling with video game "addiction," and I heartily agree that the sunk cost fallacy plays a very large role in the "lure" of video games. While evidence suggests there is a possible chemical addiction to dopamine or adrenaline released when playing games, I would maintain that the "addiction" is much more psycological than chemical. Three terms used by gamers to describe other gamers are "Timmy," "Spike," and "Johnny." These are descriptors for three model personalities typified by gamers. "Timmy" likes fast cars and explosions, and general excitement. "Johnny" likes things that are aestheticly pleasing, and "Spike" is a competitive gamer whose enjoyment comes not from the game, but from comparing his gaming achievements to those of his peers. My point is that video games cater to each of these differing personalities in many different ways, providing psycological fullfulment that a gamer may otherwise be unable to get without them thus creating a psycological dependency or addiction.
I do feel gaming is a major addiction. I was addicted to the game Medal of Honor Allied Assault since September 2002, and even though I've moved onto other games such as cs source and motogp3 I still play "mohaa" to this day. I think its the joy of the pople you meet, the communitys and even the skill you gain. i have become (sadly) extremely brilliant at mohaa. But it is definitly addictive.
I was really pleased to find this site - I self-diagnosed my gaming addiction a few years ago. I based my assessment on the disruption of social and work life, the sense of a double-life, the guilt (about being juvenile, wasting time, wasting money) juxtaposed by pleasure (escapism), hiding the addiction from friends and loved ones, obsession to the point of time warp, etc. I agree with the previous poster that images and repetitive patterns get ingrained on your consciousness and that playing can become a compulsion with little pleasure. I used to think i was "gifted" when it came to games, and i developed a remarkable learning curve due to my total obsession with play. I haven't lost relationships (although I've lost lots of time), but I've been on and off the wagon for years with games. I think i pretty much have it under control, but I tend to go cold turkey for months or years, then binge for a few weeks to a few months.
I am a seventeen-year-old teen and I would say it’s highly likely that I have some sort of addiction towards video games. It started as a way having fun at first then as a way of getting over my inability to fit in at a new school that my parents enrolled me in. I did not play to brag about my achievements to my peers but instead to use the virtual world as a way of escape. I still have this problem, I loose sleep, don’t eat when should, but things off, don’t finish schoolwork, play to the point that my hands and fingers are in pain and bruised. Sometimes when start a new game that find really enjoyable I will imagine my self in the game ( this can be compared to daydreaming ) no matter where I am, walking, sleeping, ect. None of these problems bother me as much as something recognized recently, I will sometimes get urges to fulfill violent acts towards my friends, family, and even people I am unacquainted with. However I not sure if this has anything to do with videogames at all.
I live with a "gamer". His favorites include, NFL Madden and lately Socom III. We have had numerous discussions in regard to his game playing. His mother and father admittedly allowed game playing all throughout his childhood and this was a way to keep him "occupied" for hours at a time. I met him 5 years ago and while I noticed that he did have a game system, I never noticed that he played it. As we have dated this entire time, this situation has just come to be a problem in the last 2 years. My problem is that he is 28 years old. We have a home together, he has a loving girlfriend, two dogs, a great job and a lot of potential. While he never ever misses work (his hours are such that he gets plenty of days off anyway), he constantly misses "social" interaction with me and friends. It is a struggle to get him to go to a party or any social event that keeps us out for long periods of time and he obviously does not pay attention to his personal responsibilities...he has even started forgetting to brush his teeth on a daily basis... aside from personal hygiene, his responsibilities are minimal. I do not ask much from my boyfriend anymore because I know that not much gets done. I work and am away from the home 12-14 hours a day with just work and he is not. He comes home from his job and does not shower or eat, he goes to play. How can I stop this and not ruin our relationship. Keep in mind that I have done everything except for leaving him. I have even hidden his PS2 to get a LOT of backlash. I have never had to deal with this before and I do not want to threaten him with the prospect of my leaving. What do I do??? Any good ideas of how to stop this. I know he loves me but I'm done with taking second to a game. Christel Fannin
Playing video games is not addictive. There has been a lot of research into this subject matter after the Columbine incident, and although most of it was meant to prove that video games make people violent (was proven false), some of the studies were directed to the so called "computer game addiction". None of these studies have proven anything. Furthermore there is no link between dopamine and computer games, as so many people have said there was. Omar M.
I don't think video games are bad for anyone. I am a parent of three children two of them boys who love video games. They are good boys they don't do drugs,drink, or are they out doing god no's what.
Mario is not addictive! I grew up with mario! If nintendo read this there would be a LAWSUIT! You Don't know what you are talking about
I am the mother of a 17 year old who I believe may be addicted to video games. I am also a licensed substance abuse counselor. My concern is that I see some of the same types of dysfunctional behaviors of addiction in my son. He avoids friend and family, his school is definately suffering and when I recently took his gaming system away he become angry and violent. Afterwards he became dispondent. Is this withdrawal? I can't say. Recently a client of mine said he was no longer using drugs or alcohol but stated he was addicted to video games. He even quit his job so he could play more. I know that people don't think that this is a big problem...I get that, but my point is what if we are looking at and addiction here? How many people are we willing to write off on this learning curve? As a parent I feel completely responsible. I have been feeding this addiction since my son was old enough to hold a controller. He is even going to school to be a video game designer. Long story short... my son has few social skills, few friends and is now in withdrawal "literally". Tonight his father and I talked about sending him to a treatment program, seriously. I am even looking at how to finance the 6 week program which costs around $16,000! Money I would rather spend on his college education...only without some serious help I don't think he will make it to college! So if you think you might have a problem like this you probably do. As I tell my clients, if you are not sure if you have a problem...quit, and see what happens.
There already is On-Line Gamers Anonymous for people addicted to computer, video, on-line, MMORPG and any other kind of games. It is OLGA and the URL is www.olganon.org Visit the site and don't forget to go to the Pot of Gold on the site - the message board and read stories gamers and their family members and loved ones have shared. http://p198.ezboard.com/bolga No matter what the "Professionals" say, ask the people who are in the depths of this latest addiction, to see how they feel about this activity. It is serious and does ruin many lives and relationships. Elizabeth Woolley
Video games could be addictive, but I find that it's really more just a hobby for me, being young as I am, a way to spend time that can't really be spent on anything else.
I am 33 years old, and for the last 3 years I have wondered if video games were addicting. For me, I have an addictive behavior, but I never get addicted to just one thing... It may be 3 weeks at a time with an addiction, 2 weeks off, and then 3 weeks on again with a totally different high. When I am playing video games, I stay up late, get no sleep, and am completely unproductive at work. It is like I am in another world. I am not a violent person, and I don't like the violent games. I like the puzzle solving games, and fantasy games the best. I dream about those games, and sometimes, I get away from work at lunch to play them. I started very young when I got my Atari 2600, my Coleco, and finally when the mother of all gaming systems came out, the Commodore 64, I was in heaven. In the summer, I would play video games for 20 hours straight, and then sleep for 4, just to get up again and play them again until my parents kicked me off. I was only 11 when I was doing that destructive cycle. Now personally I think there are too many violent games, and many games are graphically exciting, but not challenging enough or creative enough. But I definitely know the feeling I get for instance when I play video games versus when I have done drugs is EXACTLY the same. Weird? No... the dopamine levels are affected whether its drugs, alcohol, gambling, or whatever addiction it is... and I would categorize video games along those lines. The key is moderation. Moderation of ALL the vices (drugs, alcohol, gambling, porn... whatever) is ok, but when you are like me, there is no moderation. It is either all or nothing. That is when it become detrimental to the psyche. My 2 + 2 cents
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games are addicting. I started with a play station in 1998. I would start playing as soon as I would get home from work,or as soon as i would wake up on the weekends. I would be up at seven in the morning and play until two or three in the morning. On the weedays i would start playing as soon as I got home and played too 10 or 11 at night. i did this for a year. I neglected my wife and my daughter for that. I feel it didn't give me a high or a rush. It feels like a way out of reality. I didn't see the problem. My wife would get on me case about me playing all the time. I guess you could say I didn't care what anybody said or did, I kept on playing. The house could have been on fire and if i had time to take anything with it would be the ps. One night my wife had enough and smashed it. Things got out of hand that night. Then the PS2 came out and I bought it. At this time I thought I was over that. Guess again. I had the PS2 for about 2 years and she had enough and smashed that one. Now we got a computer. I started the same thing just different system. She brought it too my attention and i didn't see it at first. She stop it before it got out of hand. Now I'm going to limit my self. When my kids are in bed and I have some free time. I will get back to you about If IT works for me. Yes IT IS ADDICTING.
For Cristal Fannin There realy isn't an easy way to approach it. In his mind you are first. That's how I seen my family. But in reality they were put second. I think you should realy make him take a good look at his self. I you have a camcorder, record him for one week. Then tell him you have something very intersting to show him. Let him see what he looks like with the controller in his hands,his eyes glued to the tv. This might bring it to his attention. Write a nice long letter about how it is affecting your life. I wish you the best of luck ... Reader on the web, 2 June 1006
I have slowly come to realise that I am addicted to playing PC video games. The thought terrifies me as, unlike console games which are independently associated with the television, the personal computer game distracts and consumes my ability to focus on productive work. While I am not sure whether it would be responsible to "blame" my recent failures and shortcomings in life on video games, I have found myself in the past two years playing thirty to forty (I think this is probably too low... but I have never really counted the time) sitting at my laptop playing one immerse game after another. It will happen that an entire day will pass without my knowledge as I am sitting at the keyboard and mouse, repetetively following the adventures of some fantasy character or war simulation or whathaveyou for endless hours. It's effect has past on to my personal life where I will find myself removing myself from my friends and family, my girlfriend, and all associates to lock myself inside my dorm room wasting time with the damn things. I wonder whether or not this obsessive behaviour has been triggered by a chronic depression I have experienced these last two years, or whether it has in some manner influenced this illness. The results have been nearly catastrophic: I have been expelled from my university, and I have not been able to focus or write for two and a half years. There is talk of "moderation" and "addictive personalities" but, despite dabbling with a plethora of drugs and alcohol in high school and my first years of college, I have not encountered anything as sinister. Now I realize that my medical illness has stemmed from other aspects of my personal life and genetics, but I cannot stop to wonder at the effect of my game playing. The answer seems clear enough: there is nothing healthy about video games. Unlike sports and exercise, they do not strenghten and condition the body; unlike reading and study, they do not develop the mind and critical faculty; and unlike sex, food, wine, and conversation they do nothing to stimulate the human spirit and social character. This blight has nearly ruined my life (I am only 22 and, after therapy, returning to finish my Bachelor's), and I would warn anyone about its seductive charms. How many other addicts have thought themselves impervious to their drug? Heroin, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, compulsive gambling, pain killers... The list continues. Yet, when I think of it, there is nothing quite like the unreal feeling of accomplishment in the video game that, when one is caught in the grip of spiritual and psychological despair, encourages continued retrogression whilst presenting the dizzying feeling that "yes, look, I am controlling something; I am doing something." Only one more turn, one more level, one more mission ... Reader on the web, 22 June 2006
I am a girlfriend of a gamer and yes I do believe there should be a gamers anonymous or a addac tyoe group for the families and friends.
We have two children together and he is on the game 7 days a week. He calls it a hobby but it is certainly more than that. When we met 10 years ago I didn't realize the extent of this. I bought him a Play Station System for Christmas because I knew he liked it and then the next year a Play Station 2. How foolish is that?!
Now the game is Warcraft. We had split three times because I just couldn't take it. Each time I came back he said he wouldn't play it anymore and a month down the road, there it was again.
One of the problems now is that I have become so used to him being gone that I don't know how to handle him being around. If I get upset and ask hime to come off it for awhile he just sits around and I am used to having my space. He doesn't do anything.
My kids are affected a great deal because as soon as I leave the house daddy goes on the game. I have alot of guilt about this. I want to hire a sitter for the time I am out but this angers him.
It's very lonely and I don't know how long I can hang in there. I don't want to have a life like this forever but I love him. It's all quite confusing.
So, if you know of a group in the Calgary, Ab area I would love to know.
Any feedback would also be appreciated ... Chris Von Bieker, 8 October 2006
I never would have believed that video games were addictive if I hadn't seen it first hand. My fiance is totally addicted to video games and it drives me insane. People must keep in mind that there are thousands of personality types in the world and just because one person or several people do not develope this problem it is there for other and a major concern. I am a little bit older then my fiance and we have a one week old baby and both hold jobs while trying to go to school. He is so obbsessed with games that he has started to miss class and negelect his work, me and our child. Today he played for 10 hours straight. He get very anrgy and almost violent when I ask him to stop or walk infront of him and he messes up. It consumes all his time and energy. Though he doesnt believe he has a problem, I know its there ... Havala Strauss, 6 December 2006
I happen to think that there is a good and bad side to all things in life. Anything is okay, in moderation. I have a nine year old son, and truthfully, I don't like him to play video games during the week. He is allowed to play from Friday nights to Sunday aftternoons. No more and no less. I grew up without them and frankly I turned out just fine. I don't have any passion or dislike for them, but he absolutely loves them. I have read studies that suggest that it improves hand-eye coordination.....WHATEVER!!!
Like I said.....everthing is okay from food to sports to video games....as long as it is in moderation ... Michelle, 27 February 2007
I am the wife of a person who is addicted to online games. We are on the verge of divorce, because he cannot do anything, but play online games when he gets home from work. I have tried everything to change this, but nothing works. He does not care that he is destroying our relationship. He instead gets angry with me, when I try to talk to him about making things better. In fact, I have noticed that since his playing these games, he has become more aloof, removed and detached. He is extremely cold now and has no compassion for what I feel. It's like living with a ghost. I cannot say anything about him getting off the computer, or he becomes angry. So, yes, I believe there is much need for research and support groups for the people living with this problem. I believe it is a bigger problem than this country wants to admit to. It is sort of like the "secret addiction." No one wants to believe that this is a real problem for so many ... Rosita Jaime, 6 October 2007
You're right, this is an addiction. However, the only way it can be resolved is by Jesus. Throughout the Bible, Jesus performed various acts of deliverance on people with evil spirits within them, causing them to sin. Addiction is an evil spirit that is accepted into the soul (one's own thoughts, feelings, and emotions)when someone does something against the will of God...This is something serious we are dealing with, not some heretical talk that many think is bogus...this is the Truth of what Christ is about ... Jane, 10 December 2007
Its all about yourself
People have very strange behaviors... Video gaming can become an addiction, it all depends on the person,,, It can be very sad for some, especially when a person as a boyfriend or girlfriend that is always playing a video game. I have the world of warcraft game twice, but I don't want to install because I love this game... So in order not be addicted and wasting time, I just don't install it... Its not easy for everybody, I have a friend of mine that since wow came out, I never seen him again and I check on him sometime, and all he does is go to work and play... I tried to get him outside to go for a drink or to a movie: its impossible so far. Anyways, if anybody needs help, check out my website, I have a few tips that could help out!
Video game addiction
I'm pretty sure I'm a video game addict, but there's really nothing wrong with it because I play video games for hours, but I also hang out with friends and work out on many days of the week. I'll probably try to play when I can but my social skills have improved. My school work isn't a burden at all, and I maintain a good GPA. Oh, and that "adrenaline rush" or "high" the guy was talking about in this article, It's true but also it's like the first commenter of this web conversation said,"I find that when I play games that when I play some video i get a high, until I start to find my self doing the same thing over and over again. But just because you can get bored doesn't make it addictive. If you hit a jump on your bike for a while, eventually it gets boring. You just find a bigger jump." I'm not saying the article's wrong about addiction, I'm only saying that people get addicted to anything that probably gives out dopamine releases, like mountain biking. That's really exciting, but you don't here people talking about mountain bike addiction.
Addiction is a Spectrum, even if you're only borderline
The fact of the matter is that you may only be somewhere close to the borderline of being addicted to video games, which does not make the author's premise any less false. Many of us, myself included, have spent too much time playing video games at one point or another during our lives (I still often do). However, I've known people who were far beyond the line separating an addict from an enthusiast. For instance, my college roommate, during my junior and senior year in college, would play video games for a MINIMUM of 12 hours per day. This was a guy who was, prior to those 2 years, into a lot of activities (martial arts, environmental activities, etc.), but who gave up everything - including his grades and scholarship) to play video games.
It changed him, to the degree that he lost most of his friends and did not graduate. Regardless of whether mountain-biking could affect the same chemical release, it would be near impossible for it to consume someone for 12 hours per day. It's the continuous effect and availability, much like a chemical dependence that makes video gaming a dangerous addiction. That said, not everyone has the propensity to become addicted. I, for instance, eventually get tired of playing video games in general, so I really don't have to worry about it (not that I couldn't still cut down on the time I spend playing, but I often need to go 4-5 months without playing at all).
I was a World of Warcraft addict
i do believe games can effect you neurologically. we just have to balance it out. but a game like world of warcraft is relaly hard to balance depending what you are trying to do in the game. too many factors forces long hours of playing such as team members relying on your attendance to get a full 40 man raid going. which can take for hours. with game like wow you need to strip it out of your life completely i believe.
I've been with my boyfriend
I've been with my boyfriend for 3 years, we are an English couple on a working holiday in Australia for 2 years. He never takes me anywhere or does things with me. I do all the work around the house. he plays on the playstation 3 for around 10 hours, then when i try and get him to come through to bed he'll sit in bed till 8am on a pc game and go straight to work without sleep, he will then go home play some more and fall asleep early in the evening and i can't switch the bedroom light on or watch the tv. If i wasnt on the other side of the world with him i would have left him by now. It's a shame because i do love him.
That is a shame, Only you
That is a shame, Only you know how much you can put up with.
You can love a man, and have wonderful times with him. Great sex, he can do everything for you.
But you have to ask yourself do you really have his respect? The respect you desreve!
I mean only you can be the Judge on that. I would think you put up with a lot more then most women would.
Its a two way street, and its a give and take. If you dont have that, then its not going to get better.
You can try going to see someone with him about your problem. He is the one that has to see the problem aswell
or you would just be wasting your time. If you are allready saying your on the otherside of the world and would have left him by now.
I would think your allready a smart woman and would know what you want to do.
YOu just have to gatther up all your courage and DO IT!
It could be addiction, but more a parenting issue
My thought is better parenting. However, maybe I was just addicted to sports.
video games anonymous
I play my ds a lot but am not addicted I do however have a brother who is addicted to internet and cant get on my computer at home so if anyone has a way to help get him off the computer that would help a lot
My boyfriends 11 yr old son
My boyfriends 11 yr old son does nothing but play violent video games all the time. His father sees nothing wrong with this. Say's his son is good at what he does in these game and is looked up to in his power in these games.
I feel it's not healthy for an 11 yr old to be playing games like this & all the time.
He is failing in his school work, has been in fights at school, tells lies all the time, does not do his every day chores at home, has to be told daily to his chores.
There is an addiction to video games here. But his father does not see it.
As soon as his son get's out of bed he goes right for the video game. Does not eat, does not get dressed, does not do his chores, etc... When he is told to get off the game he refuses & then ends up with a punishment. His father will only take that one video game away but will still allow him to play a computer came or watch TV.
I ask? "HOW IS THIS A PUNISHMENT"?
i think u should talk to the
i think u should talk to the father for the take him out to the park and give bigger punishment
this is for everyone who thinks they are addicted.
i have played video games since i was about 3 years old starting with sega genesis. i am now 19 years old and i do not have any social problems nor do i have problems with talking to girls or anything of that sort. throughout my life i have owned pretty much every single game system made with countless video games for each. i have yet to find a game that is a challenge for me which is why i play them so much. i was born to naturally be good as playing video games which is my logic for why all of my friends hate playing video games with me. i'm good at most games even if i have never played them which often frustrates my friends when they think they are going to finally beat me.
everyone on this site should hear me out in this message because its for everyone that says they have a "videogame addiction". i have played video games for almost 17 years of my life starting at age 3 and to this day i can most definitely say there is no such thing as a video game addiction because i would be addicted if there was. it is all in your mind you just have to realize that its a game, you can get up and go do something with your life if you really want to, its "you" that is stopping you from doing this and making something out of your life. i love video games they're an art form to me and ive played world of warcraft for hours on end but in the end the addiction is all psychological and once you realize that, you can easily break that barrier and move on to other things. video games are amazing but as you grow up you must learn that everything needs to be put in moderation especially videogames.
Jonathon
This is how everything that
This is how everything that later becomes great starts out. Rock and roll and metal where put down as the devils music and look at what they both have become.(Just a small example)
Maybe one day if people became open minded pro-gaming will become a big deal and I believe it will, but since its all pretty much ran underground for now its not going anywhere for the lack of money, investors and sponsorships of big brand companies. Once it does im sure alot more people will be open to the idea and realize its not so bad and you learn alot more than 133t speak and hand-eye coordination.
Hopefully one day people will realize its not a problem, its just what we love and what we are good at.
WOW!
I've been a gamer for 26 years. Playing video games has been a major part of my life for so long. I don't think you should consider yourself addicted until you give up true social interaction for your virtual world. Just like giving up hanging out with your friends to smoke crack, not spending time with your real friends to play Warcraft is an addiction. There is nothing wrong with playing games often, but not living your actual life to be consumed in a virtual world is a problem. Just like alcohol, high fructose corn syrup, or television, you need to use it in moderation.
Sounds like sports to me
Sounds exactly like why people play sports. They play to get a rush, a high like feeling. The fact that you are exercising your mind,and not your body is what seems to be the biggest argument. Just because you don't get physical benefits from a video game, doesn't make it bad. It doesn't make it addictive either.
What about when we have immersive 3D games, where you actually will walk around, and experience the environment? It will happen, guaranteed. Will it then be OK, because you are now moving around? There will be people that will pretty much live in such a world, ignoring the physical world as much as possible.
How about the Wii? Is that considered a healthier addiction, because you swing a controller around?
Why is it considered better to read a book, than play a video game? No one considers reading trashy love novels, or space alien books addictive. That's as much of a complete waste of time as playing a video game. Just like watching a movie, or watching TV. They are all in the same "waste of time category". Along with building models, or doing a crossstitch, or a paint by numbers. They are all wastes of time. There is no value in them, other than the fact that you get entertained by them.
For some reason, sports are "OK". But, like reading a book, playing a video game, etc, they are just a waste of time. The only things that are not a waste of time are things that you do for survival, or procreation.
Video games are another outlet. They challenge our minds, and provide us with rich tapestries of art and story lines that can entertain people for many hours. They make you want to play them, because they are enjoyable.
alright I'm just going to go
alright I'm just going to go out and say that there are two different kinds of addiction. with drug use being so prevalent in society in the united states and even the world at large addiction is almost always associated with negativity but all an addition is, is a habit and there are two different kinds, good and bad. Utilizing a vary simple system of pros and cons you can tell if a habit is good or bad. so, lets look at the pros and cons of the world of gaming
gaming pros
-if your good you can go to tournaments and make up to and above 100,000$ for playing a game
-enhanced visuo-motor skills such as resistance to distraction, increasing peripheral vision, and the ability to count briefly presented objects, with some Doctors even suggesting that it can be a possible treatment or even a cure for several mental disorders
-the us government is contemplating gaming to rework its failing education system. why you ask, because the students learn such a high level of concentration that they don't realize there learning, they would essentially "learn by doing" increasing the effectiveness of the learning environment and quite possibly eliminating academic sabotage
-studies suggest that surgeons that play video games are 27% faster and 37% more accurate in there procedures
-it is a safe outlet for for stress, frustration and aggression
-according to recent studies performed by Acta Psychologica, gaming experts outperformed non-gamers in a number of practical tasks
-contrary to popular belief playing video games with high levels of action can actually increase eyesight
-social aspects of games are actually much more developed then in real life so the guy who sits at his computer all day that you might call a "shut in" probably has more friends at any given time then you'll make in a lifetime
-on a personal note my college professor was actually quite the video game "addict" if you will, during lunch he would run 8 blocks back to his house play for 4 minutes and run back (I thought he lost himself in the game myself) when i approached him about it he told me "you gotta see what I'm doing in game" as it turns out he was fleet admiral for one of the imperial armadas, and governor of of one of the cities in game and this was a massively multi-player online game so there were real people who depended on him and thought it was fascinating that somebody who had the talent to lead thousands of people was stuck teaching at a community college maybe you see things differently but my conclusion is that he was able to explore his personality and abilities in the game in a way that for whatever reason he couldn't do in life (idk maybe marital problems, lower class family, falling in with the wrong people ect.) whatever the reason in life he had a standard life with a standard house and a standard life but in the game he was the king and that is the difference
cons
-some shrinks say that they cause violent behavior but most have done a complete about face
-others say that there addictive but look at all the pros is this really a bad thing
-the only real problem with video games that is proven and can't be overlooked (though the other two can be) is that it is a corporate market meaning it is always about the money, they want you to buy there game over other peoples games and then pay more money to play more of the game and it does get vary expensive is video games ever destroyed somebodies life it was because they spent too much money (and if they did that for any reason they should have never seen a penny of it in the first place [this may sound insensitive but if you spend your way into poverty you have problems and I'm not just talking about an empty wallet either])
-there is however a minor problem with games that a few games suffer from (and by few and mean like hardly any) is that there made by horny nerds who have been sticking sex into there creations for years this usually isn't a problem but its worth mentioning anyway
in my opinion games are not dangerous or a negative influence. the real world however is you can trip over your doorstep, crack your head open and die. but video games provide a perfectly safe environment to experience the world at large from every possible perspective to the best of your ability and what was ounce a niche in sub-culture is now the majority like it or not there are vary few people who don't play video games and the number is decreasing every day
well... video games... or..... bigger picture?
Ok, Paul here was able too... justify a drive he developed, ,conquered it, and now says hooray!!!! i am playing videogames so i can say hoorayy and fool myself , pride, pride is tricky. anyway, , remember that feeling of being on top.
Now, as for the Mr.obvious here who said - "A Lot of people need help , but only a few want the help." ................................... DOES NO ONE HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN?!??!?! who are you to judge, you are you. look at HUMANITY as a whole, why do we doubt ourselves or eath other???... look at you people... you are full of doubt ALL OF YOU, even the ones who know all this shit, ESPECIALLY them BECAUSE THEY FEEL "happy" by thinking they are helping people by telling them thier problems, NO NO NO NO GO MASTERBATE TO YOUR LIST OF THINGS TO FEAR IN THIS WORLD...
think a little harder..... things are changing you old bags... this is 2010, and I... am an American.
by American, I mean free. I mean fuck the pigs, does something to me that BENEFITS THEM AT MY COST, be prepared, I'm not calling the police. don't worry :)
you can;t ALWAYS avoid the system of the government here in America, its actually funny how some people let the government control their lives.
why are you so sucked into this "gaming world" I know why, I've been there... I've been many places... my mind has been opened.... how did I open it? iono... you try... try and open and it and maybe omething will happen... if you believe it will. That's fucking simple huh?
there are two kinds of people, maybe 3 BUT... if i say 3 then i would have to say 6 billion, so lets stick with 2.
YOU grow UP, from the bottom, and you reach age 15. death is the ultimate rush, seeking death as means of living. optimistic patterns of thinking, turn paranoia into awareness, BECAUSE PARANOIA IS ALL YOUR DOING TO YOUR SELF, or someone around "pestering you" and picking at you... which MANY disturbed and terrible mothers do to their kids, LEAVE YOUR KIDS THE FUCK ALONE, i mean good GOD, this lady... says her 21 year old son is addicted to video games. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, no bitch you failed as a parent...... PARENTS HEARS ME OUT... SHELTERING YOUR KIDS FROM THIS WORLD OF WORLDS CALLED EARTH leads to examples like the one above... or maybe it works... kid is raised listened to you all his/her life... then OH NO!!! MOMMY AND DADDY ARE GONE, EEEEEEK.... first failure lol... THE FIRST FUCKING FAILURE ON THEIR OWN, and people give up, and THEN GIVE DRUGS A BAD NAME saying DRUGS are the CAUSE of escapism... NOOOOOOOOO or DRUGS are the CAUSE of repeated mistakes, all derived from escapism. NOOOOO... fuck it's hilarious being able to see all this from such a large picture. humans have lost faith in humanity, and its disgusting... humanity has gone OVERBOARD with discovery... because the internet gives EVERYONE access to suggestive threads like this bullshit thread. btw parents... as for the other way a child grows up... hmmm... well... let's call it the right way, because the point is... I am happy, I get sad, I get mad, I get high, I get low, I get stressed, I get relaxed, I get sleep, I wake up, I am happy.(NOW YOU DOUBLE TALKERS, and pessimistic health freaks who peer 70 years into the future for a reason to stop someone from doing something SOCIETY says IS WRONG... famous example weed... im a weed addict like im a ceral addict or a milk addict, its part of my diet, its how i live, 2 words, FUCK OFF. the people who don't fuck off are starting conflict with ME, yea... I am me, GET OVER IT. only I can change me, and TRUST ME, if you quickly notice a PROBLEM someone has... yea... he knows it... so stfu... stay out of it. and let them discover, confirm, and apply. BY THEMSELVES. as for self-control, this is always the weak point, my rule is never black out somewhere you haven't been before. :)
its funny too because I've consumed A LOT of ummMMM "addictive stubstances" hmmmm the first time my mom checked up on me, she says "you really got some addictive personality that's interesting", cannot recall exactly what i was doing BUT THAT SHOULDN'T MATTER,I discovered it, I was INTO IT, I enjoyed it, I got bored with it, I moved on, I remember the feeling of happiness. <-------- HUGE FACTOR.
people who do drugs the right way, people who play video games, people who cook, people who create, PEOPLE WHO ACOMPLISH THINGS are happy. and you don't need to be a seltered book worm your whole life or what your parents want you to be, you are WHO YOU ARE. if you don't know who you are, then you have found your true problem, and all that takes is.......... :)
hmmmm that got really long huh? LOL, umm, video games... people with quick fingers and fast reactions, get such amazing rushes of as the strategy YOU DEVELOPED succeeds REAL TIME, you can't love without hate, visa versa, you can't always feel good, but the better you feel during a adrenaline high, or any drug, the higher you get, the lower you are able to fall, AND YOU IF YOU ACCEPT THAT, if you are still in denial, or your son is still in denial or WHATEVER, the solution is simple, BEAT THE FUCK OUT HIM.
good luck,
really read what I said.
a Person needs People who give them straight answers.
People DONT depend on the individual they need the whole, NOT EVERYONE IS AS SPECIAL AS UMMMMMMMM SPECIAL AS.... one of those celebrity sellout figures, they are on MTV and YOU AREN"T THEM GET OVER IT. YOUR NOT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH MOTHERFUCKERING STUPID BAD PARENTS, STOP YOUR BITCHING AND LISTEN TO ME and either STFU COMPLETELY, ir just be you... can't people just be themselves anymore? too many masks... too many obligations... too many defalt settings.. WE, we as humans, we can do anything we put our minds too.
QUESTION FOR ANYONE CONCERNED FOR AN "ADDICTED GAMER" - do they less problems then YOU? lol
... HEY SELF CENTERED WIVES, listen to the other dude who posted before me, AND MAYBE MAKE YOURSELF MORE ATTRACTIVE THEN A VIDEO GAME. FUCK. OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR, your not paying me, you figure it out.
ahh, hard matter to explain with shapeless words, you video gamers out there!!!!!!! WHO ARE YOU? AND SHOULD I CARE? DO YOU CARE IF I CARE? DO YOU EVEN CARE AT ALL? is the author of this post high as fuck? yes. lol. pce,
wow. I read all of the forum too.... lololol. nearly half of it containing repeated or quoted crap. ahjdi;fklaskjdflsdfks;jflds;jfk;lsadfjklasbdgdsa;fhdadsiufguawiefouawfwlegfuewiohfipowehwjshflshdnkfjldsfbskjdbfvkldfnkjldbsfkljashkldf, SKAZI is LEGEND
- Thehappyguy who is now done venting and going to bed lol
wha?! ur trippin people. TIE UR SHOeZ!
hey well yeah i agree but you shouldnt spend no more than 3 hours on the laptop or cell phone or xbox360 cuz i know i doo =] but chill at least it aint drugs people. what would be worse seriously. your child addicted to METH or a stinking VIDEO GAME! wowza peoplee. anyways peace add me on myspacee<----- chris.
game addiction
With my addiction it is not just the game I am addicted to it is the friends. I do have a group of friends I hang out with in real life but we dont really connect and I feel much more comfortable with my on line ones. I do feel that over the years i do think i have lost allot of my social skills, i often talk to soft, stumble over my words, or most of the time i dont talk at all. another problem if bean having is a feel of less intelligence, some days i feel smart and confident yet others i feel what i can only explain as thoughtless. this only started happening when i got really into games.
gamming addiction
Hi,
You seem like you know a lot about games. I just wondered if you could help me and tell me what the best games out at the moment are. I am a journalist student and i am doing some research into gamming addiction and the pro's and con's of using games. Would it be possible if you could tell me what games ou play and how playing the games makes you feel and effects your life?
Regards
Be thankful for video games.
Be thankful for video games. Without them, teenagers could be out doing much worse things, drugs, drinking, and God knows what else. I am a 15 year old kid who plays video games, and the only person who I don't "socially interact" with well is my Mom. The main reason for this is because she pesters me all day about playing video games! She is a teacher so is home whenever I am, and since my dad works a full day it is usually only myself and my mother at home after school. I sit down on the couch and put on my headseat (for xbox 360) and 15 minutes later she comes in, "Is your timer on?" (A timer, really?). Half an hour later, "how long have you been on that thing?". She really truely hates video games. But why? My mom, to form cohesive arguements, has looked online for studies that show video games are bad for you. The studies say that violent video games increase agression, but I have never been in or wanted to be in a fight in my life. They say that video games decrease social interaction; I get along great with my dad, my sister, and my friends, not to mention my girlfriend, because none of them bug me about it. Studies say that video games are addicting. Well mom, so is coffee. But that doesn't stop you from drinking it everyday does it? I am not overweight, at 15 I am 130 pounds and 5'7". I get exercise, have a good social life, and as a matter of fact my friends call me the "smart kid" because i get all A's in school and had never had a problem doing so. So really mom? Let me do what I want to do, stop pestering me, and choose between whether you'd rather be closer to me, or if you want to go without that morning cup of coffee.
Video Games Addicts.
Anything can become addicting. Video games are nothing like drugs. Yes they increase dopamine levels but dopamine is not bad at all. Too many people associate dopamine with the negative affects of drug abuse where the dopamine receptors are blocked so the feeling of pleasure is more concentrated. Another dopamine producing activity is exercise which people have been found addicted to. As far as I'm concerned, there are no negative affects to playing video games however there are too making the choice to play them constantly instead of more healthy activities. This article talks like there is no social aspect to video games but that couldn't be further from the truth. New video games allow users to play with other players from around the world. Strong friendships are forged every day on xbox live along with teamwork skills and problem solving. Video games are great as long as you stay prioritized
games hand eye cordination
ok man who ever you are yes they improve your ability ok.
im a 18 year old that does play games i dont care what you say games are good for you, but your kid loves them and if he is a great kid passing his classes and also does other things then his games why not?
like come on let the kid live, my parents are the same with this shit but so what im not that addicted.
i play here and there maybe a few hours a week so what.
just beacsue you didn't grow up on these games doesn't mean your kid has to be the same as you, let the kid be a kid man, i bet your not to great of a dad.
good luck kid
Ummm
Gaming is an art that some people take way to serious. It's very easy to become a life less zombie but games have also encouraged people to go outside their Tiny little box into the real world not always do people concider going to the real world from video games because They feel like a person there.
Well if you love games that's ur problem and I feel sorry for you but there is a world at there that you can dive into.
I for one love games but I'd set a xbox 360 remote down to go out and have some fun any day
Video Game Addiction Exists
I don't like that people say it doesn't exist. Just because you, or some one you know, doesn't have it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist outside of your world.
After finally taking my addiction seriously, I've done a bit of research. Apparently gaming addiction in girls who have low self-esteem. I personally have had problems with depression. Without considering the physiological effects of dopamine, I believe that this addiction stems from escapism, like many addictions do.
When life is getting a bit to hard to deal with, it's easier to immerse oneself in a video game. In a game, there is no pressure to win or lose. If you get a Game Over, you just replay it. In reality, there is immense pressure to succeed, and a sense that you must get it right, first time, every time.
And anyone who says it's just children who get into games, I've read that the average age of video game players is 35. I'm 20 myself. Countries such as China, Korea, the US and Canada have rehabilitation programs for addicted gamers, but I've not been able to find anything for Australia.
Video game addiction is real. My hope is that it will be officially recognised as a real affliction within the next few years.
I think there are so many
I think there are so many views regarding the Video games that it's hard to be firm at one point. Gaming has entered our life from a very long time and it's like a addiction which cannot be overcome easily.
I think the video game
I think the video game addiction is in very short run of time and also i feel why only the children's were blamed for it,even i found many adults also being addicted to the video games.but i think this addiction only comes when the children are not interested in the outside world and he never finds any thing interesting there.
Video games are in our lives
Video games are in our lives from the childhood days and they influence a lot of actions. They are not only responsible for the bad things but there are more of good things that video game has helped to feature out.
I think there is a sudden attraction in the gaming industry because it's booming up at a rapid pace and addiction is such a thing that requires a lot of time to get controlled and many free games and online games have increased it bit more but surely one would find a way to get out of it sooner.
Old habits die hard so it'll take time but it'll resolve :)
Ok, over half of these
Ok, over half of these comments have to be fake, i play games all the time, most of which are violent, and i have never gotten in trouble at school, check my record, clean as a whistle. The only person i have ever fought with is my sister and thats expected. Also, before video games, people still fought in school, people still shot people. You name it, it still happened before games. No one..EVER...gets like this from video games, usually people get like the way you guys say because of another problem and you are just using video games as scapgoat for your problems, so face the truth and find out whats really wrong, and o yeah, i ahve been playing video games since i was around 4
Ummm
People feel that game designing is a major addiction for pretty much all people...I do not believe that. I play games as much as most people but I maintain a awesome social life and people who play games also have a really good social life outside of games. I've seen people who have played World of warcraft, Runescape, ect. meet other people and get married happened to a friend of mine.
you have choice when playing games. To sit on computer or couch playing something or to go do something with some friends like to a party.
If your addictated to games I have sympathy for you get off the computer and go do something.
same here
I TOTALLY agree with this person. I'm nineteen and never been addicted to videogames. As far as I know what is videogame addiction? Just an excuse to slam a perfectly good hobby in the ground. People need to control themselves because violence itself breeds violence and its their fault NOT the videogame. You want to know how long I have played videogames since I was five and never been addicted.
LOL! People who play video
LOL! People who play video games should be sent to prison. They are a violent bunch.
My brother played video games but last year he slit some kids throat. He now has life in prison.
WTF man that's totally absurd
WTF man that's totally absurd like hell theres deffinitly something wrong with your brother. I personally rarly play video games cause I'd rather be fit but really seriuosly that's just wrong. I think your brother should fricken stay there he sounds messed up. Nothing personal.
This has helped more than u know...
I am a single mother of an 8-yr old boy. He is awesome at what he does... He plays football, basketball, tennis and a lot of other things... but, he has a serious problem when it comes to games... He will play for hours and hours with his friend or his uncle. When the time comes to go anywhere, take a shower, go to school, do homework, go to his sports games and practices it is a battle!!! Screaming, crying, sitting/laying in the middle of the floor and wont budge, saying mean and hurtful things to people. I was begining to wonder where my loving son went and what the h*ll was going on, but now I see! Right b4 looking at this I was googling temper tantrums and found a forum that was about temper tantrums with older children and I was shocked to find that EVERY post had one thing in common... They mentioned a game system!!! I think that this is a very serious problem and needs to be brought to parents attentions... that it is possible for ur child to become an "addict".... Especially 4 parents who can't put two and two together as quickly as i did... From now on, game time will be monitored and limited in our home!!! Thanks 4 this article!!!!
Miserable
I have been in a relationship with a gaming addict for years now. His addiction has come between us to the extent that it's causing irreparable damage. It is very sad when no matter what you say to an addict, if they are unwilling to recognize that spending every second at home gaming and putting no time in with your partner is jeopardizing your relationship, then there is no solution. I have given up asking him to find compromise or learn boundaries, because it then turns into manipulations that I am 'telling him what to do and trying to make him into someone he's not'. I have given up trying to find solutions. He is a grown man and should be capable of recognizing that there is and has been a serious problem. I have given up.
miserable aswell
i am feeling the same he plays video games for many hours a day we have a 2 year old daughter and i just found out that i am pregnant i feel like i come second and his games are first and he spends no time with his daughter now i cant take it anymore he just gets mad when i ask him to turn the gfame off and read the baby a storie im done aswell asking begging and hoping its not over for us i want him to change
this
all right i didnt even bother reading all of the posts just some at the top,
video games are not addictive, it has been proven false, people who are "addicted" either really dont have the urge to go out and do what there friends are doing, or theperson themselves are just anti social, I used to play games alot and i mean alot not because i was addicted but it was somthing for me and my friends to do together to spend time with eachother without spending money on a movie, or now drinking or doing drugs, if you think about it its a healthier life style to play games alot then to go out and party, it also raises or eye hand cooridination, so for those of you who think someone has a videogame addiction, they dont your crazy, some people just enjoy games like someone else enjoys reading a book,or hunting!
thanks.
I'm having crazy thoughts...
Thoughts like leaving my girlfriend and 3-month-old daughter to go back to the life I used to live: Counter Strike Source, LAN parties, World of Warcraft, my other gaming friends, a fast-food job that lets me be "productive" and only think about games simultaneously. I owned the night.
I don't want to grow up. I don't want to be responsible. I feel unhappy because I can't play games right now. I feel depressed, and I don't want to be.
I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms. I can FEEL myself doing this. I feel like nothing will ever get better until I escape from responsibility and get back into my games. I see my GF as responsibility incarnate and I resent her! WTF!
I have other negative personality issues too, but I think this factor doesn't help my decision-making. UGH! It's all a mind-f**k right now!
Caution to Parents: Major League Gaming
I have worked behind the scenes before MLG(Major League Gaming) for years. They offer the chance to make thousands of dollars at each event playing video games. Sounds like a great idea huh?
Far from it!
The guy you see on every DR. Pepper Bottle in the nation(T2 from Str8 Rippin) is a highschool drop out. MLGPRO.com promises a chance to compete against the top players in the world and for a 6 figure paycheck.
However this is a lie. You split your winnings with the team. Now even the Coach of the team. So it could be 5 ways! At the end of the year MLG has Tournaments where you can win $100k. But you split that between 4-5 players. After taxes you have around $17k or less.
Most pro gamers make around $10-30k a year which is about $5-$15 per hour.
They spend 10 hours a day playing, 7 days a week in most cases. Some pros play only 3-5 hours a day. K it sounds like I'm bashing MLG(Major League Gaming) right or pro gamers right?
I'm not! The problem is simple. MLG wants to give your child a belief that they can be a the best gamer in the world one day as well. Perhaps they can. Perhaps your child has the ability to be #1. However, you must realize what I know.
Most players in the pro circle are drop out highschool students and college students who have denied education to gain the popularity of pro gaming expert before the world's best. This could include a paycheck as well. This all sounds good. Right up till this point.
I worked with the best. I saw when some of those players who lost Tournaments became frustrated because there only job was to win tournaments. Then when they loose, they go back home empty handed hoping to win another tournament.
MLG and other gaming organizations are a deception before the youth of America and across the world. They are an unsafe platform that brings the influence of video game addiction to a whole new level. I've seen many of these players play up to 70-80 hours a week at the highest. Sometimes even 90 hours a week.
Don't let your child become influenced by MLG or other gaming organizations that promise a paycheck, but only deliver to the top players. Remember, it's almost like hitting the lottery considering each tournament involves thousands of contestants that often play 40 hours plus a week on Xbox live.
I was an addict. I played with pro players that aspired to be #1. After I look back I had fun, but felt like I wasted years of my time before a video game organization that promised the world, but delivered so little.
Be smart Parents. Your kids deserve the best education. I dropped out of College, now am returning. Video games are fun, but can often lead to addiction that will rob your children of a future of greater success.
They deserve better. Believe in them!
This is not true
Hello I am an 18 year old male and I have an "addiction" to video games but can prove your logic to be flawfull and just plain wrong. I am currently addicted to a certain video game by the name of Gears Of War and coming off the addiction of unreal tournament. To me these games are exciting fun and even addictive but I have no trouble making friends and socailizing in the real world and I can follow school work just fine. I dont mean to gloat but I have a 3.2 grade point average and cant say I try to hard but the truth be told video games are addicting but so is smoking or even cleaning. So you need to take it upon yourselves to notice just how loose the word addict is and reason with yourselves do you really want to take videogaming away and why because your scared it might ruin your children well think about bill gates a very successfull man and a videogamer himself
TARDINESS
this is silly.
they jus need to get out the house more and stop playing games, they arent a child anymore so get that f**k up!
LOVE IT !!
Addicted to Minesweeper
I know of a full grown woman who was addicted to minesweeper. Playing for hours on end and could not be drawn away from the computer for anything. I swear if there was a fire, it would be, "Just one more game" and she would burn to death. Fortunatly I got her addicted to Scrabble on line. At least she was using her brain to learn new words. But soon she gave that up and picked up online poker which developed into an "occational" trip to the casino. This soon developed into many trips to the casino. Forgetting about her sick daughter. "Just one more" sit and go or the like. Spending hours at the casino win or lose it didn't matter. Only this time it was with real money and she had no way of stopping herself.
Video game addiction? Gambling addiction? Or just a plain addict. I just wish she would get some help. I am a believe in the 12 step program and think that anyone with an addiction could benifit from it. I think this woman has an addictive personality and needs help. I think that Video game addition should be included in the DSM. And a Video Gamers Anonymous be created.
Thank you for writing this paper. I hope that it gets the attention that it deserves.
Addictivly Yours,
DMG
Duh...
video games are addicting its all i think about before i come home and all i do when nim home its not as other medicle things that make you go insane and completely alone but it makes you feel more and more secure in a place that you belong more and more and the better you do and the more achievements you get the longer and more you want to play
trust me.
I agree with the "get
I agree with the "get control" post. It is not the industry's fault when a kid decides to play video games so much he ruins all other aspects of his life. An educated and somewhat intelligent person should be able to step back and analyze if their habits are interfering with their sought after goals. When a person's goals only surround online video games...then they should get some psychiatric help, or need some sort of intervention. If that doesn't work then let them continue to waste away until they cannot afford to play anymore. Do people really see themselves as a victim of their own gaming? You control your daily actions. If you don't want to do that anymore...just don't do it. Show some self control!
meh
Im 18 years old. and when i play video games im a complete different person, i get angry if people try talking to me and get in my way and vary annoyed. i hurt people that i love just for talking to me when im playing, if i play a game and i just die with out realizing i just scream at them "WHAT!" when they try getting my atenchen, i hate my self for it and i cant help but to feel guilty for letting it control my life for so long. im coming close to even lose my gf over it. so im feeling like a pretty big loser. she opened my eyes that i have a problem. and i need to fix it. so she made me promise that id give them up...for her. so that's what im doing. its hard believe me i just wanna play gears of war 2 so bad right now but i don't want to break a promise.
Dude! keep up the good work!
Dude! keep up the good work! you can do it. Over the past few weeks i too have realized i have a problem. i spend wayyyy too much time on 360 and my school work is being strained b/c of it. i lost my gf b/c of it. and people call me detached and say that im no longer in touhc with reality. i dont know if any of this sounds familure but im going to work towards quiting. i dont know, i just thought id reply and say good job. keep it up. GoW2 and 1 were big faves of mine too but fuck... none of it matters man. its like what that guy says in the movie jar head. (granted hes talking about war and life) but its something like...
"you know what happens when you get to that 9th level of metroid?.... nothing... it just all starts over again." and life, real life is better then that. it goes somewhere.
good luck with your girlfriend man. keep up the good fight.
HEY!!!
Why don't you all stop reading/typing and go play!!!!
Video games are an art, and very much a beautiful sport.
Should we have a "baseball anonymous" or football or soccer? Do they?
Whatever, video games are an amazing source of fufillment and a way of life.
video games are fine as a
video games are fine as a pastime, but when u don't do anything else, u have serious social issues. the reason why we don't have "baseball anonymous" is because it is a healthy sport and requires the physical exercise of more than your thumbs.
video games
I think the key to video games and almost everything in life really is moderation. It isn't good to be addicted to any one thing, we need variety in our lives. Yes I love video games and I admit that I do get addicted to them for periods of time but there is so much more to life then just gaming! Don't let your life pass you by!
this is for the 36 year old
this is for the 36 year old dude who has never kissed a girl. U DONT KNOW WHAT UR MISSING! if u had sex u would dump the vuideogames in a second, i garantee it!
i need help
i am 18 years old and i am addicted to video games i manage to cut down from friday to sunday but it is still not working please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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