Gaming fanatics show hallmarks of drug addiction

Vikingod · Nov 17, 2005, 02:09 PM

Excessive computer gaming has the hallmarks of addiction, suggests new experiments on "drug memory". The researchers argue it should be classified as such, enabling “addicts” to start seeking help.

“We have the patients and we have the parents and family members calling us for help,” says Sabine Grüsser of the Charité University Medicine Berlin, in Germany.

Learning is recognised as an important underlying mechanism of addiction. In becoming addicted, people start to associate cues that are normally neutral with the object of their craving. To a crack addict, for instance, a building in which they have used the drug is more than just a place they have been – it becomes a trigger for craving and can, on its own, reignite a need to use the drug again after months of abstinence.
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Read More / Source: New Scientist

niceguyrichy · Nov 17, 2005, 02:23 PM

phht.

you can apply the same rational to just about any regular activity.

every day I drive my car to college.
I'm an addict, help me.

every day I log into DH.
I'm an addict, help me.

right enough though, there was that guy who died a while back, people like that should get help.

ZzzombieBunny · Nov 17, 2005, 02:50 PM

Driving your car on a daily basis compared to playing everquest or wow for 12 nonstop hours without eating or resting aint really comparable... and its just not a few exceptions, pretty much everyone who spent some time on a mmorpg show signs of addiction, neglecting friends/family, eating, sleeping, work, getting easily irritated or even deppressed when not playing.

klevo · Nov 17, 2005, 04:51 PM

the best games are designed to be addictive. thats what gamers want, so no suprise here.

Mazuko · Nov 17, 2005, 04:59 PM

There is a fine line between enjoying a game so much you play it regularly, and spending 8 hours a day, every day, ignoring life. You can almost guarantee that everyone here is guilty of playing their favorite games for HOURS upon HOURS. However that doesn't mean we all ignored life either (as much as we sometimes wanted to...).

Nov 17, 2005, 02:09 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Gaming fanatics show hallmarks of drug addiction Excessive computer gaming has the hallmarks of addiction, suggests new experiments on "drug memory". The researchers argue it should be classified as such, enabling “addicts” to start seeking help. “We have the patients and we have the parents and family members calling us for help,” says Sabine Grüsser of the Charité University Medicine Berlin, in Germany. Learning is recognised as an important underlying mechanism of addiction. In becoming addicted, people start to associate cues that are normally neutral with the object of their craving. To a crack addict, for instance, a building in which they have used the drug is more than just a place they have been – it becomes a trigger for craving and can, on its own, reignite a need to use the drug again after months of abstinence. __________ Read More / Source: New Scientist

Nov 17, 2005, 04:51 PM	#4
klevo 2 l33t Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Slovakia Posts: 587 Rep Power: 0	the best games are designed to be addictive. thats what gamers want, so no suprise here. __________________ My blog

Nov 17, 2005, 04:59 PM	#5
Mazuko DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,008 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	There is a fine line between enjoying a game so much you play it regularly, and spending 8 hours a day, every day, ignoring life. You can almost guarantee that everyone here is guilty of playing their favorite games for HOURS upon HOURS. However that doesn't mean we all ignored life either (as much as we sometimes wanted to...). __________________ E-bay feedback: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...me=STRK:ME:UFS

Nov 17, 2005, 02:50 PM	#3
ZzzombieBunny Cake or Death? Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 259 Rep Power: 0	Driving your car on a daily basis compared to playing everquest or wow for 12 nonstop hours without eating or resting aint really comparable... and its just not a few exceptions, pretty much everyone who spent some time on a mmorpg show signs of addiction, neglecting friends/family, eating, sleeping, work, getting easily irritated or even deppressed when not playing.