Gaming Addiction?

[robertthebard]

So what is the real solution then? We've discussed the problem, acknowledged to some degree or another that it exists, now what do we do about it? Are we going to ban video games because some people can't handle them? I really hope not, for one thing, it really interferes with my game box collecting, and for another, I really enjoy gaming, mostly. By that I mean some games more than others.

I've been noticing this trend a lot lately too. Somebody has a problem with something, and everybody wants to make it illegal to do it. Or at least the vocal people do. Are we totally going to legislate what people can and can't do with their free time, at least the responsible people. Where do we draw the line? Do we make it illegal for certain people to buy games, because they can't use them responsibly, or do we let people self destruct, if that's what they want to do?

For myself, I'm all for teaching the next generations that there is more to life than video games. I don't see it as my responsibility to tell a grown person how to spend their money, or their time. Video game addiction won't qualify somebody for public assistance, so when the electricity gets shut off, I suppose the gaming addict will probably realize that he/she has to work to pay the bills, and if not, I guess they won't be gaming, unless they have a really good battery backup system for their gaming platform of choice. Education is the key here, and while it may indeed be too late for some, it's not too late for our children, or, for those of us that have younger children in our lives.

[Klorox]

Originally posted by robertthebard: So what is the real solution then? We've discussed the problem, acknowledged to some degree or another that it exists, now what do we do about it? Are we going to ban video games because some people can't handle them? I really hope not, for one thing, it really interferes with my game box collecting, and for another, I really enjoy gaming, mostly. By that I mean some games more than others.

They haven't banned alcohol, and there are plenty of addicts of this substance (well, alcohol was banned once, but then it was unbanned).

I think it's a matter of moderation. I think that parents need to moderate the amount of gaming kids do. If this is done right, then the kids won't be playing video games all the time when they grow up, and will pass these values onto their kids.

[Nightwing]

I think with most addictions you need to look at what the underling cause is. Does it meet the medical model. Useually someone suffering from addiction got there because of other problems. If parents or family members start seeing addiction behavior it is a warning sign of possibly something else going on and the addiction is the medicine the individual chooses.

We are not talking about general gamming here we are talking about individuals who's life has been taken over by the addiction. Everything they do in life gets them closer to thier drug of choice. It is the complete and overwhelming involvement of the game that demands thier reasons for living.

We talk about it so we can get isurance companies to cover the medical treatment, like therapy and such. If it is not taken seriously then we may have a bunch of people suffering needlessly.

[robertthebard]

I've been medically off work for two years, but even when I was working, I couldn't afford medical insurance. Adding another "category" will simply increase the cost of said insurance. Instead, maybe, find the root cause of the problem? Instead of increasing everybody's cost for insurance. That will happen, too. Any excuse to milk a few more dollars from the public at large.

Some root causes; perhaps the addicted gamer gets a sense of empowerment from gaming that they can't find in real life? Maybe it's the other way around? They have too much power, or too many responsibilities in real life, and want to get away from that? There are existing programs to deal with issues like these, the problem is getting grown people to see that their gaming is causing problems. There will be several cases in a study group of "functional" addicts as well, just as there are functioning alcoholics. People that may actually have a problem, but continue to work to support it. What treatment is recommended, or required, for them?

Addiction is, after all, simply an obssessive/compulsive disorder. Whether that be drugs, alcohol, games, sex, cigarettes, what have you. You cannot have an addiction without these behaviors. However, the extreme cases may need to be "treated", but where does society draw the line? How is it society's business, if the only one "harmed" by a gaming addiction is the actual gamer? This question needs to be answered.

I take it upon myself to show the kids that I watch that there is more to life than games. Even though I am a gamer. I play games a lot, mainly because I don't have a lot else to do. However, the game does not rule my life, except for new games, when I'm living in the novelty of playing it for the first time. So what is the cut off.

With a drug addict, it's pretty easy to see the problem when they start stealing from their family and friends to pay for their habit. Are we saying that a gaming addiction will get this far? I think the spouse of a married gamer will draw a line in the sand, and if the gamer crosses it, said gamer will find themselves on their own, and it's back to what I said before, they have to work, to pay the bills to game.

[Cloudbringer]

I agree that one can get addicted to gaming and, like LadyZ, I know of some people who play mmorpgs in every spare moment. Is it bad? I think it most certainly can be, when the person ignores family obligations, work and social interaction away from the computer screen. It certainly isn't good for a marriage or family when one member avoids responsibility and interaction and spends all their time, money and energy on gaming.

That's not to say that some of us don't like our gaming and still manage to go to work, deal with life's responsibilities and maintain healthy friendships and family lives! But then, maybe that means we aren't totally 'addicted' to the gaming, just big fans? [img]smile.gif[/img]

As for kids...yes, I agree that it's not good for a kid to sit in front of the computer or the tv all day! Parents can do their children a favor by limiting their technology time and scheduling no-tv/computer time each day.

[Klorox]

I was watching some show on video games last night (I think it was on discovery), and it talked about how there are 75 deaths related to video game addiction in Taiwan. Kids will play for days straight without eating or drinking, and they'll eventually pass out and die from gaming!

[Thoran]

I think of the games of today as akin to a mild stimulant, can be a bit addictive to the personality prone to it. Can cause problems with those folks, but overall pretty tame.

I think we've discussed this before, but in the next 100 years you're going to see games that make Heroin seem like a strong cup of coffee.

There may not be gaming addiction today... but there will be.

[Hivetyrant]

Originally posted by Thoran: There may not be gaming addiction today... but there will be.

I have to disagree.

Call me crazy, but I don't think games are going to become a lot more addictive, I reckon they are going to become a way of life...

[Thoran]

A way of life that's not real is pretty much the ultimate addiction isn't it? Alcohol makes you feel like superman but you're still stuck on the ground... what happens when you really CAN fly?

Folks will spend all their free time living in totally immersive worlds, worlds that are compelling because folks will have everything they don't have in real life, and be able to do things they can't otherwise.

Why drive a Civic when you can drive a Ferrari?
Why get married to a real person with faults and different needs when you can have a supermodel for a partner?
Why look in the mirror at your aging and non-perfect body when you can stay young and desireable until the day you die?
Why live in a normal house when you can live in a mansion?

All those things are already available in limited fashion. As computing power and (especially) interface technology improves, they will grow more and more immersive until VR approaches RL. Long before that day you'll have outliers becoming addicted... but eventually the attraction will become so powerful that addiction will be the norm, and those with strength of will to resist will be the outliers.

[Yorick]

Originally posted by robertthebard: So what is the real solution then? We've discussed the problem, acknowledged to some degree or another that it exists, now what do we do about it? Are we going to ban video games because some people can't handle them? Somebody has a problem with something, and everybody wants to make it illegal to do it. Or at least the vocal people do.

I haven't read anyone suggest that solution anywhere. I don't know anyone that would seriously consider that an option.

I believe the problem begins and ends with the addict, not the substance.
That said, society can help it's members overcome addictions, but I strongly believe ENCOURAGEMENT is far far better than discouragement (ie. prohibition). Mainly because prohibition deals with the symptom of the problem, not the root source. Alcoholics anonymous is an amazing help and I've seen people sober for years to this day because of the solutions it helps create.

I have heard that there are "detox" centers for gaming addictions, but regardless, creating and fostering community, where there is accountability, interaction and mutual responsibility goes a long way to battling the root causes of addiction.