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[Column] General: How to Tell You're Addicted to Games

SBFordSBFord Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
in News & Features Discussion

Game addiction is something that is a new phenomenon in the world since the birth of the Internet. It's a serious issue with some very clear markers. We take a look at some of the common sense ways that we believe addiction shows. Read on and then leave us your thoughts in the comments.

For quite a few of us, video game addiction is something that has crossed our mind a few times, if not several times. Whether it was a friend, family member, or even us that were actually addicted is left to be divulged. In fact, if you were the one that was addicted, the only reason it crossed your mind is likely because you had friends and family trying to perform interventions, some of which may have succeeded, others which probably did not. For those of us who cannot spot addiction, this article is basically going to be seven easy (but not scientific by any means) ways to tell if you, or someone you know, is addicted to a video game.

Read more of Hillary Nicole's Pokket Says: How to Tell You're Addicted to Games.

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Comments

  • LachyFTWLachyFTW Member UncommonPosts: 181
    Dyeing your hair blue could be another one.
  • funconfuncon Member UncommonPosts: 279
    Goof fday
  • herculeshercules Member UncommonPosts: 4,925
    Lol lachy leave pokket alone
  • FreezzoFreezzo Member UncommonPosts: 235
    Originally posted by LachyFTW
    Dyeing your hair blue could be another one.

    Actually gaming addiction is something very serious issue which (at least by my local government) isn't recognized. I know someone who got (clinical) help for this issue and doesn't game anymore aside from a gamecube mario game with friends from time to time. The problem is he, as a student with parents that didn't have a big budget as well, had to get quite some debts to afford going to the clinic. It did help him and he doesn't mind now, but at the time it was actually a big thing for him to admit it and then to have to facing harsh financial consequences whilst trying to get out of any addiction is something I don't wish anyone.

    Other than that it might be good to once in a while take a good look at yourself. I have had the same problem, but not that bad, a few years ago. I missed classes and spent more money than I should've on a game I was playing. At a certain moment I was just done with the game (a certain feeling) and I looked back and wanted to slap myself in the face quite hard... Anyway, it helped me realize it's very easy to succumb to something like a gaming addiction and it might help to take a reflective look once in a while, especially when someone mentions anything like that (which I disregarded for 2 years myself, yes, it lasts that long)...

    To close off I think there are some indicators that are left out:

    1. First of is procrastination. Do you feel like you could play games and push that study/work closer to the deadline? That's human. But when you really have to get started, but decide to go play a game another 8-10 hours a day (yes, log it, it happens more often than you think) I'd advise to take a good look at yourself.
    2. Social situation. When gaming, you could potentially be spending the night in town or with friends. Going gaming isn't really a bad thing to do, but when you're spending 6 or 7 nights a week gaming and not talking to anyone face to face, or as little as possible, you are probably not keeping up with friends/family/people in your house (if any). Try to limit it a bit and don't care that much about the raid boss going down, but drinking something with a friend. Does that mean you have to go out to clubs and whatnot? No, there's plenty of other stuff to do. Pick up hiking :)
    3. Another thing to do is to say: I can go days/weeks without gaming. This is true for a lot of people, even addicts, but that doesn't mean you're not wondering how the game is doing, how the people in the game are doing and how you could be spending your time in-game. Also it's mostly because when you do that you start filling your days with activities to keep busy. Try taking the night off gaming and read a book near your computer and if you really have no urge to start up the game (must be a good book and you must enjoy reading of course) then it's a good thing. Same goes for studying/working/conversing/any activity other than gaming and having thoughts of the game at a time you'd normally be gaming (your gaming hours), you'd consider doing some research on game addiction.
    4. Last point is something I found to be quite shocking when I noticed it on myself. During a lot of activities I wanted to multitask. Whilst this might be a good thing and a skill I got from gaming, I started to watch tv/series/eat whilst gaming. Even when watching a movie and hitting a dull moment I was thinking about grabbing my laptop and start up a game at the same time. It's impossible to watch a movie (not losely follow it) and game at the same time, it's a sign (once again) of not being able to get the game out of your head, which means a sign of addiction.
    I hope this long story/rant/wall of text is or will be useful to someone someday. If not, at least it felt good to type under internet anonymity

    "We need men who can dream of things that never were." - John F. Kennedy
    And for MMORPGs ever so true...

  • Rommie10-284Rommie10-284 Member UncommonPosts: 265
    Originally posted by LachyFTW
    Dyeing your hair blue could be another one.

    Nah, that's a good sign, as it's a non-game activity.  ANYthing that takes away from playing time is bad when you are truly addicted, so real hairstyling and fashion would take a back seat to in-game hairstyling and fashion.  If you can walk away from the computer to work on your Night Elf getup, there's still hope and you aren't too far down the rabbit hole.

    Avatars are people too

  • TheocritusTheocritus Member LegendaryPosts: 9,976
         Im glad I got all of my schooling done before gaming became really big...I knwo I would have struggled to have got my homework done with the amount of games there are today.
  • AuzyAuzy Member UncommonPosts: 611
    People say gaming is a waste of time, I go...you having fun right? BAM ROASTED!

    Uhh... what?
    image

  • lalartulalartu Member UncommonPosts: 437

    thank you captain obvious

     

     

    I review lots of indie games and MMORPGs

  • Mors.MagneMors.Magne Member UncommonPosts: 1,549
    Technically, computer games are more of an escapism than an addiction (addiction normally requires a psychoactive drug). Nevertheless, serious consequences are very possible with computer games, so I'm not belittling this issue.
  • halflife25halflife25 Member Posts: 737
    Originally posted by Mors.Magne
    Technically, computer games are more of an escapism than an addiction (addiction normally requires a psychoactive drug). Nevertheless, serious consequences are very possible with computer games, so I'm not belittling this issue.

    People are also addicted to gambling. So nope one doesn't need to be on some ^sychoactive drug.

    Gaming addiction is serious issue. I have been through this when i was in college. Now i have much better control of my life and gaming hours.

  • VyethVyeth Member UncommonPosts: 1,461

    I'm addicted to so much stuff.. You could write one of these for every one of them.. Though even as I have addictions, I have not gone as far as to let them harm anyone or remove anything from my life that I wasn't content with losing..

    But addiction can be a positive force as well. It is the motivation, sometimes the spark to life.. Sometimes society craps on us, my gaming addiction allows me to step out of that world. Allows me to step back and breathe a bit.. My gaming addiction has actually saved lives (in my opinion), the media may not be able to show it and I am sure no one can predict it, but I bet that there have been plenty cases like mine where you have this very real vengeful idea that you put to rest because you get lost in a video game.. You forget how mad you really were and then you sleep it off..

    Instead of finding ways to alienate those for enjoying themselves too much with the things they do in life, why not find ways of turning those sessions into something postive to their health (mental health obviously), you really can't (and shouldn't) interfere with someone who decides to harm themselves over an addiction.

    "
    - Lord Chesterfield <span bqquotelink"="">

     

  • FaelanFaelan Member UncommonPosts: 819
    I don't get addicted... I just acquire new special interests...

    I'm a big ol' fluffy carewolf. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

  • dualheart87dualheart87 Member Posts: 2
    bleh who cares fi your addicted or not. i rather be addicted like i am and live in fantasy than dealing with the problems going around me at home. i just stay in my room all day everyday avoiding my family the fights none stop. and yes i admit im addicted to computer games. i take maybe 3-4 showers a week eat maybe 2-5 days a week play for about 13-39 hours straight. and when i sleep i think bout games i never turn off my computer. when i go to bed i trun on a bot to keep gridning and farming for me. but thats just me i really dont care what people think of me. i can tell you one thing that triggered this change in me. i started getting into games when i found out my fiance was cheating on me and i pretty much went into depression and i am now happily in my little 8x10 room with my 3 computers and my bed and no windows. feels great!!!
  • TrysticTrystic Member UncommonPosts: 7
    Real life always comes second to my video games.... Sorry friends, family, anyone else who I don't notice due to my addictions, but you're just going to have to take a backseat in my life. Maybe we can get to know eachother when we're dead? 
  • TokkenTokken Member EpicPosts: 3,644
    I'm not addicted... though I am calling in sick tomorrow to play.

    Proud MMORPG.com member since March 2004!  Make PvE GREAT Again!

  • gogabonkgogabonk Member Posts: 6
    Can you get addicted to chess? Someone pleas help Kasparov! Maybe bridge, i hear People stay up all night "grinding" that stuff. I think, yes there is such a thing as to much games. But then there really is to much of everything today. I mean ffs have you people seen commuters today, faces buried in their phones. No wonder we need escape either. I bet most ppl that dont game fill that time slot with facebook and tv instead. I dont really see the diffrence. ;)
  • ZefireZefire Member Posts: 676
    Fuck im addicted.Nice article nicole.I have to stop playing games immediatly.
  • jdnewelljdnewell Member UncommonPosts: 2,237
    Originally posted by dualheart87
    bleh who cares fi your addicted or not. i rather be addicted like i am and live in fantasy than dealing with the problems going around me at home. i just stay in my room all day everyday avoiding my family the fights none stop. and yes i admit im addicted to computer games. i take maybe 3-4 showers a week eat maybe 2-5 days a week play for about 13-39 hours straight. and when i sleep i think bout games i never turn off my computer. when i go to bed i trun on a bot to keep gridning and farming for me. but thats just me i really dont care what people think of me. i can tell you one thing that triggered this change in me. i started getting into games when i found out my fiance was cheating on me and i pretty much went into depression and i am now happily in my little 8x10 room with my 3 computers and my bed and no windows. feels great!!!

    o.O that is probably unhealthy, but its your life.

  • PokketPokket Member Posts: 80
    Originally posted by LachyFTW
    Dyeing your hair blue could be another one.

    Anime? Maybe this would make sense. Video mames? No.

     

    Punk music. Yes.

    Youtube: PokketProductions | Twitter: @Pokketsays | Facebook: Pokketsays
  • VyethVyeth Member UncommonPosts: 1,461
    Originally posted by Pokket
    Originally posted by LachyFTW
    Dyeing your hair blue could be another one.

    Anime? Maybe this would make sense. Video mames? No.

     

    Punk music. Yes.

    I'm a bit lost in the 'indie' humour.. Was that a typo or some kind of awkward "bend" at Video "games"?

    I'm not getting it..

    EDIT: Oh wait, as to have been emulating a video game? Ohh.. Like the anime girls in video games, or the constant strange blue hair color choice we have in so many mmo's.. Oh, I think I get it..

  • NitthNitth Member UncommonPosts: 3,904
    Havnt you banged this drum enough? It's not the first time you have commented on what you beleive constitutes game addiction..

    image
    TSW - AoC - Aion - WOW - EVE - Fallen Earth - Co - Rift - || XNA C# Java Development

  • Not_KhaerosNot_Khaeros Member Posts: 31
    If you reply to any of my posts (except this one), you're probably addicted to the game I'm bashing.
  • BlakheartBlakheart Member UncommonPosts: 8

    I have actually tried to dream about a  game but have never been able to. Been playing since the old BBS days, before UO came out. Always wanted to have a  UO dream lol.

    My first "mood swing" came  from UO.  Friends and I pitched in all our  gold to buy a small house and form  a guild. I got scammed out  of the small house and  ended up with a rune to a  tiny isle lol. I felt so sad and guilty that I spent $300 real dollars buying a  replacement house hehe.  I had never dreamed of anyone  scamming until  then :)

    Sadly, that first scam also changed the way I interact with ingame  folks forever. Always leary when it  comes to unsecured trades, sharing  emails...etc. I did  get my revenge after a couple  years of being the scammers best pk buddy...but that's a long story.

  • zomard100zomard100 Member Posts: 228
    When you play games in the summer. I could never understand that, sun, sea, girls and some of my friends spend time playing games. Thats addiction for me
  • XasapisXasapis Member RarePosts: 6,337

    Looks like if you're passionate about something these days, you're "addicted" to it.

     

    Too bad, and I thought facebook gaming made gaming in general a more acceptable form of entertainment.

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