Gaming Addiction

Being addicted to playing video games can be just as harmful as a drug or alcohol addiction. Some believe that it's impossible to become addicted to a video game, but it is a very real problem and it needs to be addressed.

Some of the symptoms that a person with a gaming addiction may have are often very similar to a drug addiction. A person with this addiction may find themselves enjoying the company of the game more than contact with real people. They feel as though they can get "lost" in the game and feel more comfortable pretending to be a fictional character than living their life.

This person may at times not feel complete without spending large amounts of time playing the game. Often playing the same game over and over they lose the effect it once had and must make a change to get their"high." More often than not they completely withdraw from their friends and family to spend more time playing the game. They can feel anxiety, they can obsess with the events in the game. Sufferers may even dream about the game or have fantasies.

Large amounts of time not spent playing the game is used preparing for the game (i.e. reading books about the game, role playing, researching game tips, visiting fan sites, etc). When they are not playing the game they are thinking about it and talking about it constantly.

They may even cut family functions short or cancel them altogether to go home and spend more time playing the game.

Some scientists believe that the gaming addiction may be caused by the release of dopamine. This chemical works as a neurotransmitter and can affect memory, problem solving and attention. Dopamine can also be linked to pleasure, feeling this pleasure gives a motivation to repeat the act.

Most people can't tell if they have an addiction or if they just play for fun. The line between honest enjoyment and addiction is crossed when a persons physical or social lifestyle is altered by playing the game. If a person notices a change in personal relationships or work performance then they need to begin to question whether they have a problem. If being away from the computer or the game makes you feel sad or angry and all you think about or do is play the game, then it's best to seek help.

Like any addiction, there are things that a person can do to recover. Often times a person feels the need to replace real life with the life they have formed within the game. One reason this could be true is because they feel depressed and believe that it's just easier to face the problems in the game than the problems in their life. If you or if anyone you know has a gaming addiction please don't hesitate to ask for help.