Video Game Addiction No Fun

[felixthecat]

Video Game Addiction No Fun

Compulsive video gaming is a modern-day psychological disorder that experts tell WebMD is becoming more and more popular.

By Sherry Rauh

WebMD Feature Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

At an addiction treatment center in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, teenagers and young adults begin detox by admitting they are powerless over their addiction. But these addicts aren't hooked on drugs or alcohol. They are going cold turkey to break their dependence on video games.

Keith Bakker, director of Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants, tells WebMD he created the new program in response to a growing problem among young men and boys. "The more we looked at it, the more we saw [gaming] was taking over the lives of kids."

Detox for video game addiction may sound like a stretch, but addiction experts say the concept makes sense. "I was surprised we didn't think of it here in America," says Kimberly Young, PsyD, clinical director of the Center for On-Line Addiction and author of Caught in the Net: How to Recognize the Signs of Internet Addiction -- and a Winning Strategy for Recovery. "I've had so many parents call me over the last year or two, particularly about the role-playing games online. I see it getting worse as the opportunity to game grows - for example, cell phone gaming."

But can a game truly become an addiction? Absolutely, Young tells WebMD. "It's a clinical impulse control disorder," an addiction in the same sense as compulsive gambling.

More here:

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/124/115554.htm?pagenumber=1

It kind of reminds me of these "entertainment driven" churches ... they're doing something similar. They're desperately trying to accomodate the addiction to be constantly entertained.

See the parallel to "entertainment driven" churches??

Also ->

Matt.24:38

[38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

[39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.


We're too busy having a good ole secular time and ignoring Christ ... everything else is more "addicting" than Christ ... .

[MajinFro]

I just don't see video games being an addiction. at least worthy of being self classified past what i would call entertainment addiction. Our world and lives have become more and more entertainment driven over the last 2 centuries. Video Games are a huge part of my life and entertainment. I could quit playing at any point that I decided that it was too much. What I love is those that harp oh so and so played that game for 5-10 hours non stop. how is that any different then the couch potatoes watching tv for that long? same difference. the only issue I see if it takes time from God. but all entertainment attempts that.

[HeLivesInUs]

I just don't see video games being an addiction. at least worthy of being self classified past what i would call entertainment addiction. Our world and lives have become more and more entertainment driven over the last 2 centuries. Video Games are a huge part of my life and entertainment. I could quit playing at any point that I decided that it was too much. What I love is those that harp oh so and so played that game for 5-10 hours non stop. how is that any different then the couch potatoes watching tv for that long? same difference. the only issue I see if it takes time from God. but all entertainment attempts that.

My nephews play video games an average of 10 hours a day(someimes alot more).

My oldest is 14, and is addicted to his nintendo Ds. I tried to hide it from him so we could eat dinner without it for once. He couldnt eat and started crying over it. :panic

My brother has raised 4 boys by means of using the video games as a babysitter.

There is no question these kids are addicted.

Im keeping my son as far away from these things as possible. I want him to go outside everyonce in a while.

[MKLevesque]

My oldest is 14, and is addicted to his nintendo Ds. I tried to hide it from him so we could eat dinner without it for once. He couldnt eat and started crying over it. :panic


What? 14 and crying over a video game? I hope you threw it in the garbage.

[Tamara224]

Yet another example of parents who don't stand up and take responsibility.

We had video games when I was a teenager. My parents, luckily, knew how to say "turn it off, go outside and play." Better yet, they knew how to enforce their own rules.

Seriously, if parents would just turn it off, then kids wouldn't be addicted.

But no, parents don't do anything that might be a little difficult anymore.

:idunno

[Lostsoul]

Umm......I know this isn't PC but...in the words of my father "I really hoped you smacked him upside the head".

Breaking down at 14 over a video game means that kid needs real help.

[professor h]

I think video games are worse than TV, not that TV is great.

At least television is somewhat communal. That is, the whole family can sit together and watch a program. Playing VGs, like surfing the net, is a much more self-absorbed activity and can often cause the people doing it to tune out those around them.

VG's are also highly reinforcing - that is, they give a psychological "fix" at a much higher rate than does television. You gain "points" or "kills" many times a minute and sometimes a second - this high rate of reinforcement makes for a quicker and stronger addiction. An analogy would be playing poker to playing the slots. Poker takes thought, critical thinking, and the rate of return is pretty slow, even for good players. But a slot is instantaneous - you win or you don't and in the blink of an eye, another quarter is in the slot and you get to do it again. You'll win just enough to keep you playing.

That's not to say everyone who does it will be addicted, but that's pretty much how it works.