Video Game Addiction

Video game addiction is a phrase being tossed about in these days in our technology laden society. Sounding both preposterous and ominous, video game addiction is apparently a very real possibility in some circumstances. For example, in Reno Nevada recently, a couple was charged with child neglect in that their two babies were malnourished and sickly-supposedly as a result of the parents' obsession with Internet and video gaming. But at the same time, kids, and even adults, today are playing a lot of computer and video games with positive results far from obsession or addiction. Technology is a significant part of our times, whether it is embraced or not, it is here to stay.

That being said, can video games be an addiction or is that just some drummed up charge from technology phobic parents and teachers out there? There are folks who say video games can be an addiction just like any other compulsive habit, such as gambling or drinking. What constitutes an addiction, when does an activity cross the line and become an obsession or an addiction?

In mainstream society, the average person connects addiction most often with substances such as drugs or alcohol, even food. Doctors say not only substances can be addictive, but that addictive behaviors are very present. These are impulse control issues that can lead to addictions such as compulsive gambling and even video gaming obsessions. Addiction can be defined when a person needs more and more of a substance or behavior to keep going and if they do not get more of said substance or indulge in the behavior, the person becomes cranky, irritable and even miserable. The entire focus is on being absorbed by whatever it is that grips them.

In the particular instance of video games, things to look for, to be concerned about, include playing the games for increasing amounts of time that begin to overtake all other aspects of life and appearing to turn to gaming to escape real life, to feel better about ones self.

Video games have brought many positives to today's technology. People are not just disappearing to play video games in a dark room alone for days on end-not typically. There are so may things to be learned from gaming, even social connections that can be made, that are not always negative. Any enjoyed activity will have hours of a person's time spent on it. Like many other things in our society today, video games can be an enjoyable,positive experience if they are a part of life, not an entire life.

While there is a very real possibility of video game addiction out there, it is just one of many, many things available in the world today that are to be enjoyed alone or with friends, can be made a hobby of, without crossing the line into obsession. Any given interest or hobby can be turned into an addiction if a person allows it to happen.