Video game addiction

[NaptownKnight]

http://us.i1.yimg.com/videogames.yah...=505289&page=0

what do u guys think about the seriosness of video game addiction?

[Simetrical]

Very few people feel compelled to play video games so much as to seriously damage their ability to function in society. Of course, many people play when they should work, but that's true of any kind of recreation.

[RZZZA]

http://us.i1.yimg.com/videogames.yah...=505289&page=0

what do u guys think about the seriosness of video game addiction?

I dont think its a seriousness at all. Infact, Im against the proliferation of the word "addiction". It undermines the severity of the reality of a REAL addiction. Like a chemical addiction to heroin, or nicotine.

Stuff like chocolate addiction, or porn addiction, or video game addiction is just misuse of the word "addiction" by peopel who've never experienced a real one before.

[Gwendylyn]

I dont think its a seriousness at all. Infact, Im against the proliferation of the word "addiction". It undermines the severity of the reality of a REAL addiction. Like a chemical addiction to heroin, or nicotine.

Stuff like chocolate addiction, or porn addiction, or video game addiction is just misuse of the word "addiction" by peopel who've never experienced a real one before.

Erm. That's also a misuse of the word addiction. There is physical addiction and mental addiction. Psychology knows plenty about the latter, and glossing over mental addiction as "misuse" of the word betrays a definite misunderstanding.

[NaptownKnight]

This is all true, but what about that kid a few years ago that killed himself because his parents wouldn't let him play Everquest ( He spent all of his time on it). Would that be case of addiction? I believe that addiction by definition means something you have grown to like so much you feel like your life isn't complete without it.

[Hells Bells]

Ha i always laugh when i hear of people addicted to wow. Silly bourgeoisie, There isn't enough time in life to waste it all on one thing. They must have all this money to afford a game with monthly subscription. Ha i get by with free games, like America's Army; provided by the us army, or rtw mods which are free to download.
The thing is, those people are addicted to wow because they want a life outside their own sad tale. I too would like that, but i am a writer and make my own tales and dreams to pass me through the darkest times of the day. Games like that snuff out the spirit of a man, in the name of corporatism and worse charge money for it. It is true, that if it costs money, it isn't worth doing. Why pay for someone else to build a world for you, then your not experiencing your own life... I could never understand why someone would do that, i hate pop culture, reject most of what everyone has been trying to tell me, try to find the beauty in life that has been trodden on by society.
Pearls before swine, I take the pearls out of life and leave the swine to wallow in their own filth. These people would rather be swine, but that is their decision. I really can feel no sympathy for them, after all they can afford to play the damn game, they can surely afford medical care if it comes to that!

[NaptownKnight]

Ha i always laugh when i hear of people addicted to wow. Silly bourgeoisie, There isn't enough time in life to waste it all on one thing. They must have all this money to afford a game with monthly subscription. Ha i get by with free games, like America's Army; provided by the us army, or rtw mods which are free to download.
The thing is, those people are addicted to wow because they want a life outside their own sad tale. I too would like that, but i am a writer and make my own tales and dreams to pass me through the darkest times of the day. Games like that snuff out the spirit of a man, in the name of corporatism and worse charge money for it. It is true, that if it costs money, it isn't worth doing. Why pay for someone else to build a world for you, then your not experiencing your own life... I could never understand why someone would do that, i hate pop culture, reject most of what everyone has been trying to tell me, try to find the beauty in life that has been trodden on by society.
Pearls before swine, I take the pearls out of life and leave the swine to wallow in their own filth. These people would rather be swine, but that is their decision. I really can feel no sympathy for them, after all they can afford to play the damn game, they can surely afford medical care if it comes to that!

While you are a communist and therefore a comrade (woohoo theres more than two commies on this site!), its more than just a problem with burgieose. Theres a free MMORPG called silk road, and I have seen alot of ppl that were adicted to that one. Im talking ppl who made their person and would be at lvl. 21 in a day (lvls are extremely slow in SR). But hey, I like writing too, maybe once I get my old hard drive back on my new comp I can share some of my stories on this website, if they allow it

[Hells Bells]

While you are a communist and therefore a comrade (woohoo theres more than two commies on this site!), its more than just a problem with burgieose. Theres a free MMORPG called silk road, and I have seen alot of ppl that were adicted to that one. Im talking ppl who made their person and would be at lvl. 21 in a day (lvls are extremely slow in SR). But hey, I like writing too, maybe once I get my old hard drive back on my new comp I can share some of my stories on this website, if they allow it

well time is money as well comrade

but games like that probably arent very intellectually stimulating, ive played some myself, conquer 2, runescape etc. and it all seems cool at first but i find limitations and i cannot tolerate limitations. I mean cmon its supposed to be a game, whaddaya mean i cant rob the shop owner or flip ppl the bird.

[boofhead]

A person can get addicted to anything. It's to do with the feel-good serotonins in the brain as far as I know. Something gives you a great hit, and you want that feeling again. It never seems as great as the first time, so you end up forever seeking, never satisfying.

[RZZZA]

well, man is fascinated by what is new and mysterious. Interest can forever be had if you forever seek new things to wrap your mind around, right?

Its why that new toy feels the best only a few days after you buy it. After that week, the newness starts to wear off. Pretty soon youre saving up for a new toy.

[boofhead]

Potential shopaholic.

[RZZZA]

thank you...but I dont just mean material things, I mean trying new activities as well. Going new places, watching new things, trying new food...etc...

Wouldnt all that trigger some serotonin?

[NaptownKnight]

thank you...but I dont just mean material things, I mean trying new activities as well. Going new places, watching new things, trying new food...etc...

Wouldnt all that trigger some serotonin?

well does crack ever get old to a crackhead?

[RZZZA]

well does crack ever get old to a crackhead?

thats different, thats a chemical addiction that must be sated.

I'm talking about mans natural curiosity, the natural tendency to find interesting what is new and mysterious.

[boofhead]

thank you...but I dont just mean material things, I mean trying new activities as well. Going new places, watching new things, trying new food...etc...

Wouldnt all that trigger some serotonin?

Indeed. Some people are compulsive thrill-seekers; others are fascinated and inexorably drawn to boring things like model trains or garden gnomes.

Repeatedly doing something doesn't qualify that activity as an addiction. But repeatedly doing something that harms your life or lifestyle is.

Crack heads get a serotonin boost 400 times what nature can provide. Imagine how crap it feels when they 'come down'. Like living hell. No wonder there is an irrepressible urge to do it again. And those who stop altogether will still realise how boring life seems without it. The brain never forgets.

EDIT: I think it might actually be spelt 'seratonin'. Stupid me.

[RZZZA]

I believe everyone has their addiction, and having one that harms your health isnt necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes fun costs you, sometimes indulgence will cost you. To abstain from anything that is a gamble like that, I think, is being awfully puritanical and uncool. Unnatural maybe even.

[RZZZA]

no I understand that theres different types of addictions, but my point is that its undermining to physical addictions when mental addictions are compared to them. You cant compare a porn addiction to a real chemical addiction like heroin. And it takes something away from the term when everything from fast food to T.V. to love is now called an addiction.

My brother went through rehab, show me someone in rehab for porn, or marijuana, or fast food whos throwing up every 10 minutes pleading for somebody to kill them...now THATS an addiction man. Alcoholism, thats an addiction. Nicotine, yes. Caffeine? Mmm...no.

[Gwendylyn]

no I understand that theres different types of addictions, but my point is that its undermining to physical addictions when mental addictions are compared to them. You cant compare a porn addiction to a real chemical addiction like heroin. And it takes something away from the term when everything from fast food to T.V. to love is now called an addiction.

My brother went through rehab, show me someone in rehab for porn, or marijuana, or fast food whos throwing up every 10 minutes pleading for somebody to kill them...now THATS an addiction man. Alcoholism, thats an addiction. Nicotine, yes. Caffeine? Mmm...no.

I'm quite aware of the difference between the two. You made it sound like mental addiction means nothing. It's simply two different uses for the same word, corresponding to two different effects. No one is saying gaming - or gambling, or sex - is equally addictive as cocaine, unless I missed a key point somewhere in the article (EDIT: I see their reference to a detox clinic upon reread, and that made me go O_o. Your response may very well be applicable). They fall into a different type of addiction, so the OP question on gaming and addiction is quite appropriate.

I don't need testimonials to know what physical - or mental - addiction means. Both are quite prolific in my family.

[CiusFortius]

Mental addiction like those to video games, porn, etc can be prety destructive to ones lifestyle, and especialy to ones relationships. I know of people who have been fired from work for playing games during work, or surfing porn etc. When the addiction starts impacting on your life to the point where other people are hurt, or society generally rejects it then in can be a prety serious problem. Like kids who are smart but play all the time instead of doing homework and flunk out. I remember in grade 11 I was playing a lot and my marks took a dive. My dad banned from the PC and while at the time I hated it it was the best thing he could have done. All things need to be ballanced. Just about anything can be done excessively and start to hurt other important areas. People get divorced over internet and gaming adictions. What does that do to the kids?

I recognise that hard drugs are the worst form of addiction and their damage is incomparable, but don't sell mental addictions short either. They can and do destroy lives. So many marriages have been torn apart by porn addictions. I'd take it seriously and if you are worried about it seek out some counciling and get honest opinions from those that are close to you about how much time you spend. With them decide how much time is healthy, and then stick to it is my advice.

[NaptownKnight]

Mental addiction like those to video games, porn, etc can be prety destructive to ones lifestyle, and especialy to ones relationships. I know of people who have been fired from work for playing games during work, or surfing porn etc. When the addiction starts impacting on your life to the point where other people are hurt, or society generally rejects it then in can be a prety serious problem. Like kids who are smart but play all the time instead of doing homework and flunk out. I remember in grade 11 I was playing a lot and my marks took a dive. My dad banned from the PC and while at the time I hated it it was the best thing he could have done. All things need to be ballanced. Just about anything can be done excessively and start to hurt other important areas. People get divorced over internet and gaming adictions. What does that do to the kids?

I recognise that hard drugs are the worst form of addiction and their damage is incomparable, but don't sell mental addictions short either. They can and do destroy lives. So many marriages have been torn apart by porn addictions. I'd take it seriously and if you are worried about it seek out some counciling and get honest opinions from those that are close to you about how much time you spend. With them decide how much time is healthy, and then stick to it is my advice.

wow I didnt read ur post before I posted, I'm basically sing the same song