What used to be consumed extensively only by a few "nerds" has long since arrived in mainstream society.
Already as a child, we are kept amused and entertained with games - mostly on our parents' cell phones or tablets.
If this develops into an addiction, it can lead to serious problems.
What is an addiction?
Let's start with the definition of "addiction".
An addiction is a dependence on a substance, such as alcohol and other drugs, or behavior, such as gambling or gaming.
When someone is addicted to a substance, they have a strong urge to use that substance even if it is causing harm to their physical and mental health and to their relationships, work or school.
When someone is addicted to a behavior, they feel compelled to engage in that behavior despite negative consequences.
Addictions develop over time, usually through repeated use of said substance or behavior.
As the brain adapts to the presence of their presence, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop.
So gaming can be addictive?
Absolutely.
Studies have shown that prolonged gaming can lead to the development of addictive behaviors, similar to those seen in individuals with substance abuse disorders.
These behaviors include neglecting personal relationships, responsibilities, and physical health, as well as continuing to play despite negative consequences.
Am I already addicted?
There are several signs that may indicate that you may be addicted.
Some of the most common signs are:
- Inability to stop or control the use of the your computer, console or other gaming device
- Neglecting personal responsibilities, such as work or school
- Continuing playing despite negative consequences, such as financial problems or relationship issues
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not playing your favourite game
- Increasing tolerance, needing more of time spent ingame to achieve the same effect
- Losing interest in other activities that were once enjoyed
It's important to note that everyone's experience with addiction is unique, and not everyone who experiences these symptoms will be addicted.
It is also important to consider the impact on your daily life and overall well-being.
If the consuption of your gaming time is causing problems in your life and you are unable to stop or reduce it, it is likely that you have a problem that needs attention.
How can I help myself?
Most people do not want to seek professional help due to various reasons.
But htere are various steps you may want to consider to help yourself out:
Set limits: Set specific times for when you will and will not play, and stick to them. Consider using parental controls or apps to help you limit your gaming time if you are at young age.
Find other activities: Try to find other activities that you enjoy and make time for them. This can include exercise, hobbies, or socializing with friends and family.
Talk to someone: Share your feelings with a friend or family members. They can provide support and help you develop strategies for managing your addiction.
Take care of your physical and mental health: Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. Avoid using gaming as a way to cope with stress or negative emotions.
Be honest with yourself: Reflect on the impact of your gaming habits on your life, and be honest with yourself about any negative effects it may have on your personal and professional life.
It is important to remember that recovering from addiction takes time, effort, and a willingness to change.
Be kind to yourself and don't get discouraged if you encounter setbacks. With support and determination, you can overcome your addiction and reclaim control of your life.
Ultimatively:
Addiction can be a serious threat to an individual's physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as to their relationships and overall quality of life.
However, it's important to note that addiction is a treatable condition.
With professional help and support, individuals can overcome their addiction and regain control of their lives. Addiction should be taken seriously and should be treated as soon as possible, the earlier the intervention, the better the chances of recovery.
It's also important to note that addiction is a complex problem that often has multiple causes, including environmental and psychological factors, and it's not a sign of weakness or moral failing!
Gaming Addiction is pretty much brand new thing that I think is built on a bit of junk science, as it's something that you can't really group in the same addiction group as things like Alcohol addiction, or drug addiction. In fact I think it would be more similiar to gambling addiction.
The reason I say this is simple, just because someone spends X amount of time on a game a day doesn't mean they are addicted. We don't really talk about people being addicted to TV despite people spending hours watching it.
It's more similar to Gambling addiction as you can have two people who gamble for the same amount of time, and only one of them may become addicted to it. In fact lotto machines often use the same tactics as mobile games use to get people to keep playing.
Talking about the How to help yourself section of the post, I don't mean to sound blunt but the likely hood of someone with addiction helping themselves isn't very high. Most people don't even realise they are addicted to something and usually need a kick from someone else to get on the path to help.
For instance someone who is addicted to video games, truly addicted, are going to forgo things like exercising to play games, and they may set time limits but chances are they wont follow it. It's like a gambling addict walking into a casino with the mind set of only spending $20.00
You are absolutely right. It is more comparable to gambling addiction than addiction to a substance. Therefore a different treatment is needed.
And yes, the likelyhood of starting "self treatment" is low.
But is even lower to get yourself up and admit to yourself that you need professional help.
If you are not able to set time limits or follow any other advice, seek help.
Thats why I added the last point:
Be honest with yourself: Reflect on the impact of your gaming habits on your life
Which is probalby the hardest step to take: Admitting that your gaming habbits actually ARE an issue.
Gaming addiction!? I don't know if I will equate it to other addictions like drugs or substance abuse. Yes, gaming is addictive but it is not that you won't able to live without it, some of the addictions can be so life-threatening.
Think about it again, no I don't think I am addicted, maybe I can get addicted for a few days as I want to quickly finish the story...hehe
It is an interesting topic for discussion though... great post!
I got addicted to MMO's when I was in my teens and early 20's. I can say it was a style of actual addiction because I was blowing off school, work, friends, and even relationships in order to play more and more. It was very common for me to play all day and night and that might seem normal to some people but to me I finally realized that it was time to stop it. I still play games all the time but I shy away from all MMO's now because they never end and therefore there is always a reason to keep going.
Regular games do not have this affect on me, it was only MMOs and I have haven't played any of them since Guild Wars 2 and I don't intend to ever play them again.
I think yeah, I mean, gaming addiction can be a threat but let´s be honest, every single thing that makes you an addict can be a threat if you don´t know how to handle it, it´s not only applied in videogames, I think it´s important to search for help if you don´t know how to handle the addiction.