Video Gamer or Cocaine Addict?
By Lauren
I am sure that everyone in the entire 9th grade, no the school, has played video games at least once in their life. I know I have. You have that feeling of conquering something, and it feels really good. You are in control of at least one thing in your life at that moment, and it makes you feel powerful; and if you happen to mess up, you can redo, or start the level over.
Do you remember that really exciting moment, when you open up your Christmas or birthday present and inside was a BIG box with the word “Play Station” or “Game Cube” written on the side? You were so excited you probably screamed or did a dance. It was a glorious day. You get that game that your parents also got you and you run downstairs immediately to hook it up to your T.V. set and begin playing. You only intended on playing for a couple minutes, then come back up stairs and open the rest of your gifts and be with your family, but a couple minutes turns into hours, then a couple hours turns into a couple days. Now I am not saying that everyone who has ever played a video game, plays for days (I really don’t know anyone who would stay awake 24/7 just to play a game, you get tired eventually), but I do know that most guys (and some girls) really love playing their games so much that they are willing to stay inside, alone, in a dark room, for hours on end, without a second thought, and when they come upstairs for dinner (after much prodding along) and their parents ask them seriously, where have you been all day? They laugh it off as a joke and then eat dinner really fast, so you can get back to the game.
Another question, how many of you have ever said something like: “Five more minutes?” or “One more level?” or “Can I just finish this level really fast, PLEASE?” Your parents will usually say yes, and you get away with another 30 minutes of play (at least that’s what happens with my sister). Once you get the game system and the games, and the cheat codes, and usually some snacks, you are good to go for a while, and if you don’t have a “Game Cube” or “Play Station” or a “X-Box”, you might have something portable like a “PSP” or a “Game Boy”. Then you can take the obsession with you.
You are probably saying I AM NOT OBSESSED! Well guess what, there is another term for what most gamers have; you can use that title for yourself if you would prefer to, and it is ADDICT. Now you are probably saying, no thank you, I prefer the title obsessed to addict. If you get really technical, if you have ever pushed you parents for more time at night, or if you have ever spent more than two hours at a time on the game system or even on your computer playing games, or if you always think about going back to play the game, or if you like a series of games (like Halo) and you count down to the release of the 3rd game in the series, I’m just spit balling here, but you are probably addicted.
If you don’t believe that video game addiction is serious, realize that there is actually a Detox/Rehab center in the Netherlands, for recovering video game addicts (the article on the detox/rehab center). Still think it isn’t serious? Now I don’t actually play games a lot, in fact I rarely play at all, but my sister’s free time is always filled with games. I think that 30 minutes (compared to how much time gamers usually play) is a small amount of time for playing games, but studies have actually proven “30 MINUTES OF PLAY RIVAL AN AMPHETAMINE HIGH!!!” It begins a process called habituation, a.k.a. the rewiring of the brain that creates a psychological dependence similar to a cocaine addiction. (Websites on video game addiction here, and here, and here)
How many of you realized that you are addicted? And what do you think you can do to help get yourself out of that addiction? (click here for a recording of an article called “Digital Junkies” by: Olivia and Kurt Bruner read by Lauren from the Magazine: Focus on the Family)
November 1st, 2007 at 6:08 pm
As for me, I don’t play video games that often simply because I haven’t had the time but, if I did own an Xbox I probably would be addicted to it. I can not believe that there are people that have to go to rehab houses though for playing video games! That’s a little over the top there. If i were addicted I would find other things to do instead of play the game, like a sport or something. Although that doesn’t always work for other people I believe it’s a solution that would solve my problem.
November 1st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
That was a really interesting blog lauren. I’ve heard stories about people being addicted to video games and i always thought they’d just be able to get out of it easily, but apperently that isn’t the case. I definatly am not addicted to video games, the thought of being ADDICTED is kind of scary actually.
November 1st, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Wow, Lauren, this post was sooo interesting! Your title was a perfect example of what Miss Baker taught us to do… it definately grabbed my attention! My brother has a Wii, and he plays it every day, and I like to play it too sometimes. He has counted down the days for the new Guiter Hero 3 to come out! But video and computer games are addicting. I know there are a ton of The Sims addicts in the world! I couldn’t believe there is a rehab
center for video games addicts!
There are also conditions related to video gaming, such as the newest one, Wiiitis. Here is a website where you can learn more about it:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/06/wiiitis-on-the-rise-with-wii-players-reports-doctor/
It’s sad that people waste their lives sitting in front of a TV. It’s unhealthy for your body and your mind. Don’t waste a perfect sunny day sitting inside!
November 1st, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Cool post Lauren!!! I’ve always called some people (who will not be named) video game addicts, but I didn’t know it really WAS addiction. Though, after reading the definition of an addiction on one of your links, it is definitely an addiction. This website (http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/teens/gameaddiction.htmldeals) deals with some specific addiction cases. Personally, I’ve never been too concerned with video games. That may be because I’m the world’s worst videogame player. I would much rather read. Actually, now that I think of it, I’d probably be considered a book addict. Is that any better?
November 1st, 2007 at 7:22 pm
P.S. Neat website, Amanda. I had no idea there was such a thing as Wiiitis. This website (http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0616721120070606) goes into more detail.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I really enjoyed this post Lauren. Great job! I do play videogames, and probably a little more than most people, but I spend most of my time playing videogames at night when it is too dark to do anything else. I think that they can be a good release, and, as Lauren said, you get a certain sense of pride when you beat that level or finally finish that one thing you were stuck on. However, too much of a good thing is never a good thing. With the way that technology is going today, games are becoming more and more addicting because of the visual aspects which draw people in and the actual games that keep people playing. I do not think it is overly bad to play every once in a while but when it begins to affect your studies, your social life, and your physical well-being it can become an extremely bad thing. People just need to realize that they sometimes play because they wish their life was exciting like that and if they want a more exciting life they need to get out and do something about it. Once again, I really liked the post Lauren!
November 1st, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Cool post Lauren! I know I’m not obsessed or addicted to video games, I only play sometimes on the weekend. However, I can say that my brother used to be obsessed with video games ( not any more because of football).This summer he played video games for atleast 4 hours a day! He did take breaks to eat or change game systems ( we have an X-Box, Game Cube, and Nintendo 64). Finally my mom told him he had to go outside or do something else or he would get the X-Box taken away. So I think distracting him with other things to do actually got him unobsessed with video games.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:32 pm
That is awful and i was wondering why people play the games.
They might be fun but it could be that they get an emotional attachment. Like you said it makes you fell in control for a while. Maybe people p[lay these games so much because they dont fell in control with their life. Maybe to cure this we could try to get better self esteem awareness. I bet its the ones who are sad everyday that play the most.
It could also be an anger taker outer if that is a word. If someone sees their parents fighting or something they might play to ” get away with them all”
November 1st, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Amanda you are right. There are people that I know who would play video games for three days straight if they could. They would skip school just to be the first to pre-oder Halo. I was a bad gamer. But I got better. I played for hours. But now I play outside more, and I encourage you guys who are hard-core gamers to do the same.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Actually, I’m grounded from video games, so my addiction is being curbed s little. but I did realize I’m addicted. I’m extrememly addicted to Dance Dance Revolution. That game is so much fun. I guess that dancing really hard is a little better for you than playing Halo (which I will admit is very fun) sitting down. I heard about the Wiiitis thing, but I thought it was just a bunch of Junk. Is that really a medical condition? I mean do doctors actually diagnose you with Wiiitis? That sounds really stupid, but I guess it could make sense.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Wow, I can’t believe that people are becoming addicted to video games in the same way that people are addicted to cocaine! That is really awful and pathetic that it’s happening. Addiction to videogames, TV, or computer websites is not only bad for your health (it hurts your eyes), but now it is bad for your mind and social life. According to the article about the rehab center, people tend to stop developing mentally if they become addicted to video games. I still can’t believe there is even the NEED for a rehab center, but I guess it’s good that there is one now to help people with their problem. Are they planning on building one in America? I used to be addicted when I was younger (I would even skip meals sometimes), but I hate them now because they bore me. I can’t believe there is now an actual disease called Wiiitis, that’s just sad. Do you think scientists will now work on medicines to cure this? Do you think we need to? Maybe…maybe not. Great post Lauren!!
November 1st, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Can someone find out if more males are affected than females? Or vice versa? It would be interesting to find out some hypotheses for why one sex may be more affected than the other if it turns out that is the case.
Don’t just give your opinion! This is science so you need to back up your discussion with evidence.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:07 pm
To Miss Baker’s question about males being more affected than females, well, i couldn’t really find anything about genders and how that would affect their addiction. I did find out that diffrenet types of people could be more vunerable to addiction than others. Dr. Mark Griffiths says that everyone is vunerable to becoming addicted but it depends more on what type of life that person has or had. Some people could have had a rough life and need a way to relax which could lead to major addictions. Others are just simply bored. According to him, normally a person has activities that they do to feel relaxed or to get excited and happy. At some times that activity can become so important in a person’s life that they let it dominate them. They almost have a physical and mental need for it. They will sacrifice anything to do this activity, such as playing video games. They could blow off their friends, family or even their jobs. This website(http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060228/clark_01.shtml) provides interesting information on the nature of addictions. I do agree that video game addiction may seem like a silly thing but its serious. Im glad that there is rehab places for people to go to get help for their addictions because nothing should dominate a person’s life completely, especially video games.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:21 pm
That was a great post Lauren. I have to say that it is not only video games that people get addicted to, but the computer too. I know that my brother comes home sometimes and is on the computer for a while and my mom has to literally pull him away from it. As to Miss Baker’s question I found this website that had a study done to 8th and 9th graders, that found that males are more likely to be addicted to video games than females. It didnt have a reason on it, but here is the site.
I tried to find another site that went into more of an explanation why, but I was unable to find one. All I kept seeing were sites that said males are more addicted than females. This one site said that about 31% of teenage males are affected and about 13% of females are. It also said that 23% of youth thought they had once been addicted to video games. Here is the site.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:28 pm
This is really a good post Lauren! it’s actually really scary to think that people can actually be addicted to video games, i mean they’re fun but serioiuly they’re computer animated programms invented by people with a little to much time on their hands! I never knew that people could be so badly addicted to them that they had to go to a clinic to stop…. wow. I’m not ragging on video games cause i like em too, i have a wii that i love to play but i’m not addicted to it, at least not yet! It makes me sad to hear about people in situations like this, they would sit there for hours straight playing the game and then skip going outside, what a waste.
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:17 am
That is a cool post. I never really thought of viedo games as addicting. I dont play as much viedo games as i used to but i do still play them. After reading that article, i will try to cut my time on viedo games during the day. I found a web site that talks about some of the same topics about how more females are playing more games that were intended for males.
(http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/17694.html)
November 4th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Cool post i enjoyed reading it. I play video games a lot but i dont think i am addicted to them at all. I have spent hours at a time playing halo or Guitar hero but i also go weeks at a time without playing them. My brother on the other hand will totaly stay on a game untill he gets grounded or punished in some way. We both play but i just dont seem to become addicted like he does. Is there any reason that you know of that would explain some people being more suseptible to addiction than others?
November 4th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
BEN, i was thinking about what you said about that people who are always sad are the ones that play the most. At first I thought, that’s not right I know plenty of people who are… wait, then I thought some more and realized YOU ARE RIGHT! the people who are the saddest about their life are the ones who tend to play the most. Maybe it’s just their way of coping for an insecurity or maybe they just have no life, or maybe they are absolutely normal and they just want a “hobby.” Whatever it is, it is pretty bad. I bet every person knows at least one person who is addicted, I know that I cant even count the number of people that I know that are addicted, on my hands (a.k.a. i know more then 10!).
November 4th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
AMANDA, that is so wierd that there is actually a thing called wiiitis! That is really actually very fasinating! I dont know any wii addicts, but that would be pretty interesting to know someone like that. People use pseudosciences like: all video gamers are the guys that still live with their parents and have no lives, but in reality I think that even though that happens, there are plenty of people who are for one thing girls, and for another thing, they have full lives, like school, sports, and etc. I know a few girls who are really big gamers too.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
MISS BAKER when I read your comment I thought that the answer might be guys, but i wasn’t sure, then i read Caroline’s post and, well, I am not suprised. I think maybe the reason that more guys are addicted may be, because it is the stereotypical thing for guys to do. A girl stereotype would be shopping. Sing-as-how there is that stereotype maybe some guys think that it is just the thing that they have to do to be, well, a “good guy”. Now I said MAYBE SOME, not all maybe even no guys are like that.
November 4th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Guess what I just found out? Some doctors are actually wanting to classify video game addiction as a mental disorder!!! Can you believe this condition has gotten so bad that doctors are worried? That’s kind of scary. Check out this website with an article on the contradiction of opinion between doctors and video game manufacturers, and the worry of people with addicted family members and friends.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19354827/
November 4th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
This is interesting facts because I own a psp and my brother own a like 3 game systems and we dont play as much as we used to. It is sad that people play video games so much that it is classified as an addiction. Not only do people get addicted to video games but they can get addicted to the computer. Its interesting that media can have an addiction on kids and teens and on top of that have a rehab center( thats absolutly crazy).
November 5th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Those are some interesting facts. I did not know you could have a video game addiction. It is amazing that they have a rehab center in the Netherlands for video game addiction. I have never played video games a lot. Maybe once here or there so I dont know how you get addicted to video games. I have never really liked them. I have always rather been outside than inside playing video games.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
This is really scary. But if you think about it this whole deal is SO TRUE. Half the commercials and products advertised are video games or systems, or new chairs to improve the quality, or a new controller. Kids are using video game machines to learn their alphabet and learn how to READ. The other day I was at my cousin’s house and their friend’s kid was in the other room playing a video game to help him with math.. and he’s six. This just seemed ridiculous the market is aiming at lower and lower ages to start the addiction earlier.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Great post lauren! I was shocked to hear about people needing to go to rehab for gaming! I play video games myself, but im definently not addicted, i tend to play at night as grant said, when its too dark to do stuff outside. In reading this i also realized how many of us can become addicted to facebook. Almost everyone in the highschool has one, and it seems like the most important thing in the world for some people. Very interestiing post lauren!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Ben, I was thinking about what you said about that people who are always sad are the ones that play the most. I don’t know if i agree with that. I know people that play video games alot and they are the happiest people i will ever meet. But some people who are sad do play video games to help themselves get their mind off of what they are sad about.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
This was a really good blog Lauren. I actually don’t do a lot of video games now. I think the only one I sometimes do is Guitar Hero.
But, its scary, this is so true for many, many people.
It’s pretty amazing that there is even a rehab center for people with this problem.
I also agree with Jake, people can be addicted to other things like facebook and other things, and it probably I’m sure can be just as serious as being addicted to video games.
I think it also proves the point with all the violence in the video games that even young kids are exposed to.
Some of the games I see my cousins or kids I’m babysitting I cannot believe their parents would even let them buy those at that age. It’s sord of ridiculous but very true.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I have a couple video game questions. My friend got a Wii for her birthday, and I’ve heard a lot of good and bad things about them. I heard that Wiis are easier to become addicted to, and I was wondering if that was true. I also heard that they slow down your reaction time if you play them a lot, since the movements in the games are slower than they would be in real life. I was wondering if that was true because my sister is a pitcher on a fastpitch softball team, and she was saying that she wanted a wii. I was wondering if that woud affect her pitching at all.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Thats pretty amazing. ive know that lots of people really like video games but i had no idea that they could actually become physically ADDICTED to one. to know that its possible to have a REAL addiction is pretty weird. I wonder if people could suffer from “video game withdrawal” or something. and like jake said, its not always games it can be things like facebook which are a lot alike.
Intersting post. its somethnig id never thought about before.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Wow, Lauren, this was a really interesting post. It had to do with science, and it’s something that alot of us were interested about. I mean I personally don’t play video games that much either but now that I think of it, I think I’m addicted to soo many things. Facebook, My Space, Bebo, E-Mail, texting, starbucks frappuccinos, etc. Wow, I really have an addiction problem. But thanks though, I think this was kind of like a wake up call for some of us. Oh, and I should probably tell my brother too about his addiction to HALO 3.. hah Thanks guys. Oh and I think I’ll do some research over the weekend or something about Miss Baker’s question.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
I believe that people can become addicted, especially when it’s a really good game and one level takes 30 minuetes. I don’t think that people can become emotionally addicted to video games, unless it involves other actual people. For example World of Warcraft or Flyff. These games are more interactive with other people that have or can have similar emotions, but a computer generated like person cannot react to some things the way a real person can. Could someone give me an example of a rehab for addicted video gamers in the USA? Speaking of computer like people here’s some cool info on new japanese technology on making human androids. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4714135.stm This is comming from a pretty reliable source on my opinion.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
My brother used to have a Gamecube. My mom noticed that it was becoming a problem because he prefered playing the Gamecube over playing outside. On his 6th birthday, he gave his gamecube and all of the games to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta cancer center. It was very hard for him to give away, but he said, “I can play outside, but those kids aren’t healthy enough to play outside, so they can play this Gamecube.”
One problem with video game addiction is a lack of exercise (unless you consider moving your fingers exercisze.) The great thing about Wiis is that they involve being more active than other video game systems. For example, when you play tennis on the Wii, you actually have to swing your arm as if there was a tennis ball there. This should not replace outdoor exercise, but it is much better than sitting on the sofa moving nothing but your fingers. I think that the invention of the Wii was great because video game addicts are doing something that is partially beneficial to their health as opposed to other video game alternatives.
I had no idea that “video game addiction” was a scientifically correct term (when used in the correct context). I simply thought that people who used that term were exaggerating. There are a lot of things you can be addicted to, and it makes sense that video games is one of them. Great post, Lauren!
November 7th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Emily I agree with your comment, I have a wii and suprisingly if you play some of the games such as boxing it can actually get quite tiring after awhile. I also agree this shouldn’t replace outside excersise but great point!
November 7th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I have and know people that play video games. But if it was a nice day outside, I would much rather go to the pool or play some sort of sport. You bring up a good point Ben, about people being so sad with their lives that all they have is playing video games. That is a good point, but not completely true. There are people that are happy with their lives, but they also play videogames. I have another reason as to why some people might play video games so much. Maybe some of these people that are addicted don’t play sports. And videogames might be there way of having fun. It is pretty sad that some peoople spend their lives playing videogames. I would much rather hang out with people, then with my tv.
November 7th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
This was a great post Lauren! Ive never been addicted to video games even though i have a ps2. Ive heard about people getting addicted to video games, but ive never taken it too seriously. After i read this article i now see it differently!
November 8th, 2007 at 9:46 am
great job lauren!
i have to say that yes i have been addicted to a game, but not THAT addicted.
but i do have a question.
if you were sent to a rehab house, then how do you ever get out?
do they let you finish the game and then your out?
or do they just take everything away from you then expect you to get over it?
November 9th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
They probably give you suggesstions of other things to do instead of video games, you know, like other things that can take up your time so you won’t be as tempted to get on the xbox or ps2.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
I actually think that it is pretty sad that there are that many nerds out there that truly get addicted to video games. I mean I have a 360, but I hardly play it. I think that video games distract you from whats important in life. Time away from family, school, Spirituality, and sports. My brother got addicted and my mom took it away. It turns out his grades shot up. They are okay to play as long as you have limitations!
November 12th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Great post Lauren! However, i do have to say that the type of addiction we are talking about here, relates to a whole lot more than video games! It may not come to the point of a rehab center, but still there are some things I spend way to much time on, or doing! An example in my life would probablly be facebook, i bet some of us spend just as much time on facebook as those on video games! I mean i think we get addicted to stuff we like, for some video games, for some sports, for some computer stuff! I mean i have heard of people who stay up late watching a football game, just to see if it will affect the ranking of their team! I mean are they not in some way addicts too? I have to say that ben may have a point, when he said that “they may become emotionally attached!” If you think about it many of the games out there do deal with violence, it could be a way of taking your anger out, and getting away from the real world into an imagnary one! This post really got my mind churrning about addictions, and made me realize that even though i am not addicted to a drug, or a game, I am still spending way to much time on pointless stuff, when i could be doing something much more productive and meaningful!
November 13th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Nice post Lauren. I have noticed that some of my friends have no life. All I ever here them talk about is what is happening in this game they are playing. I enjoy to play video games but I usually have no time. I am really not supprised that guys are more into games than girls. Evelyn that was a very interesting point I had no clue about that though, but is this something that they can help can help you with? I also see your point on how it can really change a person and their performance in school.
November 17th, 2007 at 12:02 am
Awesome post Lauren!! My brother is defiantly addicted to video games. Some studies have shown that kids who play video games that are violent, is a healthy outlet for children, but others say that it causes them to become aggressive. But I must agree that video games are a healthy outlet because ever since my brother started playing violent video games, he is a lot less aggressive than like he was before. I also think that is so funny that they have rehabs for people who are addicted to video games. You can to this web site for more information on Kids getting aggressive after video games.
http://www.bioedonline.org/news/news.cfm?art=1967
November 20th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Lauren I can truly say this is a great post because you described my Christmas day. There is no pleasure greater than beating halo just one more time. Video games are very addicting stuff and with all the new systems coming out there seems to be no end in sight. Here is the story of a man with a serious addiction, http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=6196 .
November 25th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Wow, i never knew that playing games for 30 min was that bad. I only play on the weekend, but i’ll go over to my friends house and play XBOX 360 for a few hours though. I know a kid at my church that plays about 6 hours of GAMECUBE a day! Does that include computer games also?