Gaming "Addiction"

[tenny20ca]

Hi Everyone

I was reading this weeks? issue and thought back to something one of my teachers once said, "Video games are Compelling not Addictive." The term Addictions refers to "a state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning and develops physical dependence, as in drug addiction." Addiction in short is a chemical dependency. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction

Compulsion is "An irrational need to perform some action, often despite negative consequences". http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/compulsion

Video games do give a feeling of accomplishment which COULD trigger the release of natural chemicals in the brian that are enjoyable (Endorphins).
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/endorphins.aspx#1E1-endorphi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endorphin
Low endorphins can be the cause of Addictions but are not addictive.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=33701

The point of my post is that the term Addiction has a lot more negative connotations then Compulsion.

Using the term Addiction to refer to gaming Compulsion is overstating the issue. If ?game addicts? stop gaming they do not experience the symptoms related to substance abuse.

Thanks
Ten

 

[Mikkelet]

eermm.. ? Do you want to discuss why or whether the 'addiction' is positive/negative. :S

 

[tenny20ca]

Any compulsion is negative. If you taking gaming to the point of compulsion then it is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

But games can be both, The family's of gamers generally say addiction as they never see the gamer and feel the negative aspects whereas online friends will feel the positives. It's the balance which matters.

 

[SimuLord]

I think you're spot on point with this one. I love gaming (I mean, I REALLY love gaming) but I don't get the DTs if I have to spend a few days tending to my other responsibilities. I don't even know if "compulsion" is the right term either, since as a general matter I do not feel any need to play games while I'm at work/out on a date with my wife/on vacation. It's more a case of "hey, free time, how do I fill it? Games!"

 

[CIA]

Good man. I've been trying to figure out why I didn't like this weeks articles. You just hit the nail on the head.

 

[UltraBlumpkin]

Did you actually read that wiki article on addiction, or just link it? Here's a quote from the FIRST SENTENCE:

"The term "addiction" is used in many contexts to describe an obsession, compulsion, or excessive physical dependence or psychological dependence, such as: drug addiction, video game addiction, crime, alcoholism, compulsive overeating, problem gambling, computer addiction, pornography addiction, etc."

Maybe the word was meant to be only for tangible substances years ago, but now it has evolved to encompass many other things. You wouldn't call yourself a "Compulsive gambler" or "Compulsive Pornographer" would you? No, because that's silly. Addiction has become the buzzword that society ties to overuse, obsession, compulsion, and dependence. It does have a negative connotation, which is why society views these things poorly. Try telling someone they are an addict about anything, they will always deny it or make excuses because they know that word has a bad meaning.

 

[CIA]

Did you actually read that wiki article on addiction, or just link it? Here's a quote from the FIRST SENTENCE:

"The term "addiction" is used in many contexts to describe an obsession, compulsion, or excessive physical dependence or psychological dependence, such as: drug addiction, video game addiction, crime, alcoholism, compulsive overeating, problem gambling, computer addiction, pornography addiction, etc."

Maybe the word was meant to be only for tangible substances years ago, but now it has evolved to encompass many other things. You wouldn't call yourself a "Compulsive gambler" or "Compulsive Pornographer" would you? No, because that's silly. Addiction has become the buzzword that society ties to overuse, obsession, compulsion, and dependence. It does have a negative connotation, which is why society views these things poorly. Try telling someone they are an addict about anything, they will always deny it or make excuses because they know that word has a bad meaning.

The problem is that it views all of those things a equal. A gaming "addiction" (read compulsion) is nowhere near as bad as, say, a heroin addiction. The two shouldn't be lumped into the same category as they demonstrate completely different degrees.

Cultural definitions can get the point across but can also be misleading.

The wikipedia article goes on to say that: "In medical terminology, an addiction is a state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning and develops physical dependence, as in drug addiction."

I believe that the OP was referring to this definition and his belief that the culturally accepted definition was flawed.

Your post begs the question: Did you only read the first paragraph of the Wikipedia entry?

 

[mrjinx]

I think gaming can be an problem if you are making it a priority over your other obligations in life. For example, if you put off hanging out with a friend because you have a WoW raid tonight.

If you don't have a lot going on in your life and use gaming for most of your free time, I think that you can still lead a normal life, even while spending more than some people would consider 'healthy' amounts of time gaming.

Work on your priorities...and quit WoW

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Gaming addiction is real. I know, I have it.

 

[Hexadecimal16]

I realize that the term 'addiction' has pretty much become just a buzzword, but I don't think that it's the proper one to use when referring to a gaming problem. Can someone do it excessively to the point where it negatively interferes with their life? Certainly, but to say it's similar to a physically addictive substance doesn't seem fair to me. No one is ever going to die from gaming withdrawals. It's all psychological.

 

[UltraBlumpkin]

Your post begs the question: Did you only read the first paragraph of the Wikipedia entry?

Why yes, I did. In fact, if you keep reading you'll learn how there are two types of dependencies, physical and psychological. Both can be considered addictions due to the way they change the subject. One deals with consumption of tangibles, the other deals with the consumption of intangibles. Both show similar symptoms in the subjects, however the physical addictions tend to be much worse and much more observable.

I believe the OP is just trying to play with technical definitions, which are very subjective. The Wiki article actually discusses how there are differing ideas on what should be classified as an addiction and what shouldn't, but that doesn't detract from the fact that people who do abuse things like video games, sports, porn, sex, etc are not hurting themselves, and those around them. They experience the same outcomes due to it, so why not classify them as, at least, psychological addictions?

Just go watch the 15 minute video the Escapist posted, and if you can hear what those people say and not believe they were addicted to those games, then I can't convince you otherwise. Dropping out of college, neglecting loved ones, it all turns out the same. Hell if you go look up some articles on it you can find all sorts of crazy things. Kids killing their parents or themselves over their console being taken away, people dying from playing for 30+ hours straight, children dying from being neglected by parents. It all reeks of serious issues due to people becoming obsessed, addicted or whatever you want to call it.

As for the basic term though, it does seem like we're debating whether or not Pluto is a planet anymore. The issues addressed in a few of the articles this week are very real, and if you can't relate to them then consider yourself lucky.

 

[onelifecrisis]

Oh great, a semantics debate!

*sits down with popcorn*

 

[CIA]

Your post begs the question: Did you only read the first paragraph of the Wikipedia entry?

Why yes, I did. In fact, if you keep reading you'll learn (1) how there are two types of dependencies, physical and psychological. Both can be considered addictions due to the way they change the subject. (2) One deals with consumption of tangibles, the other deals with the consumption of intangibles. Both show similar symptoms in the subjects, however the physical addictions tend to be much worse and much more observable.

I believe the OP is just trying to play with technical definitions, which are very subjective.(3) The Wiki article actually discusses how there are differing ideas on what should be classified as an addiction and what shouldn't, but that doesn't detract from the fact that people who do abuse things like video games, sports, porn, sex, etc are not hurting themselves, and those around them. They experience the same outcomes due to it, so why not classify them as, at least, psychological addictions? (4)

Just go watch the 15 minute video the Escapist posted, and if you can hear what those people say and not believe they were addicted to those games, then I can't convince you otherwise. Dropping out of college, neglecting loved ones, it all turns out the same. Hell if you go look up some articles on it you can find all sorts of crazy things. Kids killing their parents or themselves over their console being taken away, people dying from playing for 30+ hours straight, children dying from being neglected by parents. It all reeks of serious issues due to people becoming obsessed, addicted or whatever you want to call it.

As for the basic term though, it does seem like we're debating whether or not Pluto is a planet anymore. The issues addressed in a few of the articles this week are very real, and if you can't relate to them then consider yourself lucky.(5)

1) How condescending.
2) A change in the subject's behavior for the worse, even in the extreme, cannot be classified as an addiction merely by that fact alone. At least not when adhering strictly to the OP's definition of addiction.
3) I agree with you here but culturally accepted definitions can be downright wrong. I submit, for your careful consideration, the cultural definitions of "gay" and "retarded."
4) The OP is suggesting that anything that is not a physiological addiction be described as a compulsion. This will eliminate misunderstanding and simplify matters as one will no longer have to add "physiological" or "psychological" before the word addiction.
5) The debate is not over weather or not the issues are real but in what manner they should be classified. Neither is the debate about me but, since you seem to want to know, yes, I can identify with the compulsion to game. It can be as vicious as any addiction but should not be lumped in with someone who does heroin. It creates negative and fraudulent assumptions about a video game compulsion, thus showering the video game community with even more negative connotations.

 

[Yokomitsu]

I am a very very bad addict, sometimes i feel as if i cannot let go of that controller even if someone was to pay me, although that would mean nothing as "my balls are encrusted with diamonds"

 

[Yoshimota]

..."my balls are encrusted with diamonds"

I wish mine were......

..So then when I tea bag people in real life, they can just taste how much better I am than them at video games...

You know you played too many video games when....haha

 

[tenny20ca]

Oh great, a semantics debate!

*sits down with popcorn*

I don't think this is semantics. Video games get alot of bad press, using words that liken video gaming to drug abuse will not help it's image. This might mean a bit more to me and some of the older gamers out there that have had to defend thier hobby most of thier lives.

http://www.designersnotebook.com/Columns/046_Stop_Calling_Games_Addicti/046_stop_calling_games_addicti.htm


Maybe this is a moot point, video games are main stream now, what do you think?

 

[solidd]

Oh great, a semantics debate!

*sits down with popcorn*

eeeheeeheee that hit me in the right spot, im finding a lot of debates like these trolling through the forums. also, WoW is the equivalent of digital cocaine. seriously, making money earning achievements releases the same stimulant that cocaine releases in the brain when consumed..i heard it on catalyst..or...something......*goes back to naxxrammas*

 

[Yooz]

The only game I was ever addicted to, I still am BTW, is CS:S.

 

[Lullabye]

I've experienced withdrawalsymptoms. I got grounded for 6 months, by the third month I was trying to convince myself not to pick up a knife and stab everyone because they are soo stupid.......I think games are my stress release....