Some Can’t Stop Playing

You never hear about it until news breaks of someone dying after a 36-hour binge. But video game addiction is very real, something that shouldn’t be shrugged off.

The problem is greater than a single, tragic case. Video game addiction affects millions of people in the United States alone.

Related: One Gaming Addict’s Story

Obviously, anything in excess can be, and usually is, bad for your health. For every person you know who is addicted to alcohol or gambling, there are thousands who can enjoy them in moderation, without issue. But like alcoholics or excessive gamblers, video game addicts use the medium as a form of escape, peaking in the endorphin rush it brings.

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In 2007, the American Medical Association rejected a proposal that would have labeled video game addiction as a mental disorder. In 2012, the AMA nearly included video game addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, knows as the DSM-V. Another proposal would classify it as a form of Internet addiction, but the issue is yet to be included.

That’s not to say that the issue isn’t real, nor did the AMA refuse to acknowledge video game addiction. It simply didn’t classify it as a mental disorder. And that may be coming to an end as well, thanks to international attention.

Just because people play a lot of video games doesn’t necessarily mean they are addicted.

Some countries in Southern Asia lack the infrastructure that the United States has, so many turn to Internet cafes as their gaming gateway. That makes video game addiction more visible abroad, with some countries taking steps to actively raise awareness and combat the addiction.

Until the AMA formally acknowledges the issue, treating it is going to be difficult and will require more in-home remedies rather than professional treatment. In order to address the issue, first you have to understand its symptoms. Just because someone plays a lot of video games doesn’t necessarily mean they are addicted. To complicate matters, symptoms in adults can differ from those found in teens.

Despite the stereotype that most video game players are kids, the average age of players is 35 years old, says the ESA’s 2015 Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry.

According to Video-Game-Addiction.org, adults may see issues begin to appear in work performance and can begin to neglect duties at home, including chores and social responsibilities. In adults, symptoms include:

• lying about how much time you spend playing computer or video games.
• playing computer or video games results in intense feelings of pleasure or guilt that seem uncontrollable.
• spending more and more time playing video or computer games to get the same enjoyment.
• withdrawing from friends, family or a spouse to the point of disrupting family, social, or work life.
• experiencing feelings of anger, depression, moodiness, anxiety, or restlessness when you’re not gaming.
• spending significant sums of money for online services, computer upgrades, or gaming systems.
• thinking obsessively about being on the computer or playing video games even when doing other things.

For teenagers, symptoms are a little broad and, despite the lengthy list Video-Game-Addiction.org shows, the teen only needs to exhibit a few to fall into the “addicted” category. If you’re concerned, there are some that are more noticeable, and arguably more damaging, than others.

Losing friends and cutting out the physical social interactions necessary as a teen will have long-term effects. There are interactions online, chat and “grouping up” to accomplish a goal, and if you address the issue with your teen he or she may use that as a rebuttal, but having friends that you can interact with in person is important.

The teen only needs to exhibit a few to fall into the diagnosis of “addicted.”

Denial also is common with this addiction. If you think someone is addicted to video games, the person’s immediate reaction when confronted won’t be acceptance. Apathy towards loss of friends and missing social functions, such as school dances, sporting events, or get-togethers, will accompany this.

There is no exact science to recognizing video game addiction. Despite the work that Video-Game-Addiction.org has put into helping, the symptoms listed aren’t all we should would want.

Treating the problem is the next step. With the AMA not recognizing video game addiction as a mental disorder, you’ll be forced to look for help on your own. Unfortunately, the issue has become so common that there are many groups available for you to turn to.

Video-Game-Addiction.org will help you identify and acknowledge addictions in teens and adults. It’s geared more towards providing information than treating addiction, but if you need a treatment program you can call 1-866-869-4530 to speak to someone.

Computer Gaming Addicts Anonymous is an online community that anybody can join. Its sole objective is helping people quit and recover from video game addiction. There are forums, daily meetings, and a community of individuals dedicated to helping one another.

AddictionRecov.org is maintained by the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery. While the site covers all addictions, from chemicals like nicotine or marijuana, to food, sex and shopping, there is a lot of information regarding video game addiction. While they don’t offer treatment, you can at least get a free, confidential assessment if you call them.