Computer games: Addictive?

Looking at the Games thread, somewhere at the bottom is an old thread on this subject back from 2005, rather than going the route of thread necromancy, it seemed more appropriate to start a new thread in it's place... this one.

I have just finished watching a BBC Panorama documentary entitled "Addicted to games" (link)

A basic synopsis for those of you that don't want to watch it or can't because of the location you happen to be at in the world, the documentary questions "whether or not video games addiction should be recognised as an illness?".

My overall conclusion is: No it shouldn't.
The reason is based on the assumption that the children and adults suffering an addiction or tantrum like reactions are already suffering an undiagnosed element before playing computer games. In fact such ailments might have gone completely un-noticed until a breaking point occurred. In some respects it can actually be suggested that video games aid in the detection of underlining ailments that otherwise would potentially go undiagnosed.

Incidentally a boy talking about his Warcraft addiction mention of being aggressively compelled to kick/punch things when his parents stopped him playing, to be honest this actually touches on a subject I posted in Genetics & Biology (http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?p=2659611) the kid in question obviously from the UK and appeared to have a slight Ginger tint (poss. Scots ancestry). It likely provides clue that it was potentially more a genetic disorder being elevated by neurochemistry stimulation, or the lack there of.

As for those that claim they are addicted, it's all due to positive repetitive stimuli which affects the actual brain chemistry. This chemistry will likely be imbalanced to begin with and an increase in imbalancement occurs when sleep depreviation, starvation or dehydration occurs. (These occur when someone is "focused" on an objective and neglecting the real world)

Obviously I would suggest kids aren't left to game unattended for hours due to both the potential dis-attachment from the real world and because parents should actively participate in activities with a child, namely hobbies, sports etc.

 

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Just because there's some pre-existing condition that predisposes them to the addiction or facilitates the addiction doesn't mean that they aren't addicted. Addiction is defined by the effect the activity (and lack of it) has on the person, not by exactly how/why the effects occur.

That could be said of pretty much any psychological addiction.

 

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The point I was trying to clarify though is:

• A person needs to have a predispositioning to addiction for this to be a factor, it's not like every person that jumps on a computer game will become an addict.
• The "Addiction" is psychological and not due to a chemical dependancy.
• Outbursted violence from a teenager at not being able to get a games fix is actually due to an underlining psychology issue (or just hormonal change), not down to "the violence in videogames".

 

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No more addictive than watching sports, movies, soaps, reading books, using Facebook...etc.

 

For some people it is clearly more addictive...

 

If someone enjoys working and goes there to do their job and even stays late or weekends to get the work done, are they addicted to work?:shrug:

 

No..it just means that they are either in the porn industry, or a drug dealer.

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What is addiction?
Surfing can be addictive?
Fishing can be addictive?
Escalation of the Himalayas, off-road, sex, skydiving, diving, etc. .. etc ... can be addictive?

 

True, we do call them workaholics..

But, the suffix holic usually refers to a strong dependence or addiction..

I.E. alcoholic. chocoholic, etc..

So, we are really just back to addiction.

 

What are we defining as an addiction?

Video gaming can be addicting, but to class it along with marijuana and cocaine is idiotic.

But the same can be said of nearly any hobby. Video gaming is simply a way to enjoy oneself like hobbying and watching tv.

 

I disagree..Gaming can be every bit as addictive as any drug..

True, drugs are more physically addicting, and gaming more psychologically addicting.. But, the need for a fix is basically the same..

Hell, people can be addicted to nearly anything..

But in the end, addiction is addiction..

 

I'll let you know just as soon as I've killed one more monster.....

 

I agree that classing video games and cocaine is ludicrous, however classing it with marijuana might be an excellent comparison. Both pot and games have no physical addition properties, but provide the user enjoyment in manner which can lead to habitual use. Those pre-disposed to addictive behavior may very well become latched onto the dopamine release triggered not just by the use/play, but by the anticipation of each.

 

It depends. If they are working so much that they are:

-working more than is actually beneficial or necessary

-ruining their relationships with family and friend because they spend so much time at work

-neglecting other important areas of their life (their health, obligations, etc) in favor of work

-are not able to enjoy leisure activities outside of work (going to a bar, watching a sports match, doing things with friends) because when they're away from work all they can think about is getting back to work

then yes, they are probably addicted to work.

Note that "spends a lot of time doing something" is not the definition of addiction. Most people spend a lot of time watching TV, for example, but most people don't show any particular addictive behavior toward TV.