The Addiction Help .com

It's been like an epidemic for years--ever since the invention of the coin-operated arcade game.

With the advent of home-console systems like the NES, the SNES, the Neo-Geo, the Playstation, the PS2, the Wii, the PS3, and even the smaller hand-helds--video game addiction has become a problematic effigy for society.

It's impact has especially been felt in the on-line gaming communities; whereas whole, productive people have been turned into mindless drones and robots.

While myself, I am by no means prone to video game addiction--as I have 3 game consoles (SNES, Playstation, and the PS2), and a Gameboy Advance--I've managed to tame my demons by not playing as much offline and online.

As a writer, I am more focused on my writing than my gaming. But I am also a social person by design--and I get out often; taking walks, exercising, and knowing when and where my limits are.

Unfortunately, there are those out there who are not like me.
There are people out there who *suffer* from addiction--and their personal and professional lives are severely impacted because of it.

And while it may seem sensible to take *away* their source of addiction, it doesn't stop the problem overall.

So what can we DO to help combat this problem successfully--and in a constructive and positive way?

People shouldn't start their kids out on it so early. My wife and I have been irritated with our son's preschool because it has a X-Box there for the kids to play, even though they are four and five. When I was little, my parents finally relented and bought me a Nintendo when I was nine, but I had to do chores to be able to play it, and even then my time was limited. I think parents are doing the same thing with video games they did with TV, just abandoning their children with the device so they can do other "adult" things. They need to plan more family activities, and build positive memories centered around doing things.

2007-06-26 16:42:53 by Sky

As video games evolve they are becoming a more pertinent part of our lives. Many feel that this trend is destructive and that their children are ...

For a research paper, I am looking into the controversial effects of video games have on people. More specifically, violence and video game addiction.

I am having trouble looking for some reliable sources. Can anyone please tell me if there are any creditable websites, books, study statistics, or newspaper articles that I can look at?

I would greatly appriciate it since I am quite curious about this topic.

Also check for educational journals at the library. This study has been done repeatedly. Ask your librarian unless you know how to get to the e-journals.

2007-11-14 13:31:51 by The Young Creator

I don't know why, but i hear that their are treatments for video game addictions and I also hear a lot about people who can't stop are addicted...

So is it the same as having a drug addiction?

An addiction basically starts out as a method of coping with problems. Its a form of escapism. Once you adapt to that method of coping it becomes an addiction. For example:

-some people are emotional eaters aka they use food as a crutch in response to stress and become "addicted" to compulsive eating.

-in response to a negative body image,some people become bulimic or anorexic to cope with their thoughts. That also becomes an addiction.

-To try and forget things or ignore problem, there are all kinds of things they can do to cope. Video games are a form of escapism, as are drugs and alcohol, reckless behaviours, etc....

All these coping mechanisms are a learned behaviour, and they are extremely hard habits to break out of, especially if there are deep issues involved. Any compulsive habit is an addiction, and would require treatment to break out of. So yah, a video game addiction is the same idea as a drug addiction, except instead of a fix or a joint, they use good old mario brothers or guitar hero for satisfaction.

2009-01-04 18:35:11 by Steven

Price: $14.95

We've bought over $3650 Aust.worth of games over the past five years and my little nephew won't give video games a break. He practically plays them from the moment he gets home until he sleeps then all weekend. We try to get him away from them as much as we can but feel as though it's our fault because we used to play video games all of the time. He does do afternoon sports and watches a few cartoons before he goes to bed. But we're afraid he has too much of a video game addiction. He's only ten. Should we stop buying him games? What to do we've bought a wii and playstation 3 and also own and xbox and whole bunch of gamecube games. Is there anything we can do? Is it safe for kids to grow up this way?

My little brother is exactly like that and he started not doing homework, skipping school, faking sick, etc. to stay home and play games. He also turned into a spoiled little brat. I would suggest no games or tv until homework is done and then restricted play time for only 1-2 hours per day.

2007-08-25 16:37:08 by Fender

How can we help those who are enslaved to video games? Ideas people!! I have a friend who is neglecting his friends and family, and all because of video games. This addiction is causing him all kinds of problems. He knows he is addicted, but has no energy or willpower to break free. I have been praying for him hoping for a miracle. Aside from prayer are there any other ideas?
I have tried inviting him places, and it interferres with his "game time." I even had a ticket to a football game, and I was giving it to him for free. He had no interest. That ticket was like 40 some bucks. I wound up taking another friend. The only thing he talks about is online video games, and he spends at least half the work day reading chat boards on the online game. We went out to lunch once with a couple of other co-workers and all he talked about was the game. I asked about family, and he just said his wife nags about playing the game.

I myself have played video games off and on for 20 years, but never got like this. My wife asks me to help I drop what I am doing and help out. I got in gardening - just love eating what we grow. :) This friend admitted he wanted to try stuff like that, but hasn't. I offered to help dig up some his yard for a garden, but he was not interested. I feel bad for him.

My friends and I had an "intervention" with a guy who was addicted and quit his job and college to spend more time playing the game. He wasn't paying bills or doing anything except sitting in a captain's chair in front of his PC playing online. We cornered him and told him he couldn't continue living like he was.

He got extremely angry, but in the end it worked because he stopped spending so much time on games and now his life is back on track.

You have to straight talk to your friend, and be firm. Assemble as many of his friends and family around as you can. Good luck.

2007-06-03 16:19:09 by Paul