Gaming Addiction: What Makes It Different?

Online/Gaming addiction (for this blog, I'll use gaming addiction to refer to both) shares many characteristics with other addictions; however, there are many aspects that make it different. Besides the fact that it usually involves a digital device in the addict's hand, the popularity, availability, and lack of regulation make it, in my opinion, more insidious than other addictions. I'm going to give a general definition of addiction, make a list of general addiction symptoms (these are shared among many different addictions, but it doesn't mean they will always occur), and then layout what sets gaming addiction apart with combined personal examples and definitions. My hope is that this will increase awareness about what gaming addiction looks like so people can label it correctly and get help.

This definition of addiction comes from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) website; asam.org: "...a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences."

This is a broad definition, but anyone would be hard pressed to find an addiction that does not fit these criteria. Here are some general symptoms of addiction that come from MARR Addiction Treatment Center website (Marrinc.org) that paint a picture of the above definition:

- Missing Work/School or important engagements

- Work/School/Financial problems

- Isolating/secretive about activities

- Disrupted Sleep Patterns

- Change in eating habits

- Appear pale/malnourished

- Lose weight

- Lack of personal hygiene

- Inability to deal with stress

- Irritability/Argumentative

- Defensiveness

- Denial/Minimization/Rationalization about addictive behavior

MARR's 3 C's of Addiction:

- Loss of Control over amount and frequency

- Craving and compulsive use

- Continued use in the face of adverse Consequences

All of these symptoms can sum up most addictions, including gaming addiction. People will miss work/school, lose sleep, skip taking showers or brushing their teeth to fill their gaming addiction "need". I personally missed my high school girlfriend's 14th birthday to go to an internet cafe with my friends. When confronted about how long they have been playing, gaming addicts will make excuses, change the subject, or flat out lie about the time and energy used to feed their addiction. At the end of a gaming binge, the addict will be irritable, and seem "out of it". Even after they have stopped, the addict's mind will still be thinking about the next experience. Again, all of these gaming addiction examples can be substituted for other addictions, but usually other addictions hold much worse consequences, and involve more severe scenarios.

As far as I know, there have been no wars, or illegal activities involving gaming addiction. There have been no shootouts over smuggling hot copies of the next Call of Duty game, and no murders (although there have been deaths) involving stolen World of Warcraft accounts. In all aspects, substance abuse and gambling are more dangerous. However, stringent laws have been established over some of the common substances and behaviors that lead to addiction like alcohol, nicotine, gambling, and illicit drugs. Public service announcements, ads, high school health courses, and awareness campaigns demonize these addictions. I pass freeway signs all the time that state "Buzzed driving is drunk driving" and "Report drunk drivers". Regular TV programming includes commercials against the use of tobacco products. Nowhere have I seen any ads, PSAs, or awareness campaigns about the overuse of video games/the internet.

To the contrary, gaming and online socialization have been encouraged in place of normal social interaction and relationship building. A recent mobile game ad (I see them everywhere) boasted how you can have more fun playing their game by starting the ad with, "Tired of the same old friends?...". Also, I see parents shoving an tablet/phone in front of their child's face in hopes to have their child's tantrum soothed. The only "campaign" related to gaming I've seen is during speed running events (e.g. Games Done Quick) that remind gamers to drink water. Gaming addiction is being nurtured in our society without a second thought, and to indulge in that addiction requires little effort.

Alcohol, drugs and tobacco addiction require much more effort to engage in than gaming addiction does. People must go to a store, or drug dealer to get the substance, and find a safe place to do the deed. Personally, while under construction, I had my house broken into to be used as a drug den. I haven't heard of a gamer breaking into a house to level his RPG character. Again, much more dangerous and effortful than gaming addiction, but not as insidious. Laptop and desktop computers are household items, and, with the few clicks of a mouse, can download and play video games. Even more common is the smart phone which everyone has, and they can download apps/games for free. All of it can be done from a chair, and, with correct observation, overuse can be spotted.

If nothing else, I want people to know how to spot gaming when it’s done to the extreme for themselves or others. The 3 C's are important in spotting gaming addiction. Here are things to look out for:

1. Control - Find a stopwatch/timer. When the gaming/browsing begins, start the stopwatch. After the gaming is done, see where the stopwatch is at, and see if you notice the amount of time that has passed. What else could have been done during that time? How many times has this happened today?

2. Craving - Tally up the times the phone has been used during the day, or how many times the the gaming console gets turned on. How often are thoughts coming back to the phone, gaming system, or computer? How much energy is used in thoughts and activities to get back online?

3. Consequences - What has been sacrificed for the behavior? Any friends or a job lost? Are responsibilities constantly being put off to engage in the behavior? Is the behavior being done in a dangerous situation (e.g. driving, taking care of a child, etc.)?

Saying "Yes" and "A lot" to many of these questions should send up red flags. I can personally say "yes" to many of these questions during the height of my gaming addiction, but, action from an outside source made all the difference in getting control back in my life. During my young college days, I found myself soothing stress by playing games for hours on end usually until 2 am. One night, my dad opened my bedroom door and asked, "Josh, are you still playing games?" In my tired stupor I replied, "Yeah, still going..." He said, "It's 5 o'clock, and I'm getting ready to leave for work." I had no idea, and I immediately shut down my computer and went to sleep. This was a shaming realization that my gaming had taken over. My life was no longer mine.

If this sound familiar, know that even a small observation or comment can create a world of difference for gaming addicts. Care enough to say something. It will go further than you think.