Comments on: Video Game Addiction

By: Help for Video Game Addiction

Help for Video Game Addiction — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:51:42 +0000

Although video game addiction is not (yet) a recognized addiction, it is clear that some people let their gaming habits spiral completely out control.

As someone who works with those addicted to video games, I do think we need to be careful when comparing it to drug and alcohol addictions – both of these problems have strong physiological and psychological components whereas gaming addiction is psychological only.

In this regard, video game addiction may prove to be more similar to gambling addiction both in presentation and how it is treated.

Best of luck to all of those like Brad846 who are fighting this addiction.

BC @ http://www.TechAddiction.ca

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 01 May 2011 13:11:54 +0000

video games ARE addictive. But it’s more of an impulse control disorder.

Recovering from one is a hard road to take but is very rewarding. You’ll find that it’s going to make you feel good and you’ll have something to do in real life.

By: Brad846

Brad846 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:20:08 +0000

Thanks for the article. I agree that video games are addictive. I looked at your bullet points listed and would have to agree that I was/am addicted. I spent far too long playing games; time that essentially was wasted on a non-productive activity. I used to be quite fit and more social. I became sedentary, introverted and certainly not eating 3 square meals/day. Not to mention, my vocabulary has taken a nose dive due to lack of time spent reading a good book and/or newspapers. Something had to change.

Having recognized my addiction and detrimental effect on a healthy lifestyle, I placed the video games in a garbage bag and threw them in a dumpster. I also uninstalled these games from my computer. That was 2 weeks ago. I haven’t purchased another game since, but would freely admit that I do have the urges to play again, simply because it was habit forming.
Make no mistake, it’s a unhealthy addiction that has contributed to my relationship breakdowns: personal/family/friends. Since I obviously couldn’t limit myself to ‘x’ hours/week of playing, I had to quit cold turkey.
Getting off my arse and back to the real world is a rude awakening but essential to bringing back my sense of self.
It will be a challenge but one I’m ready to tackle.