Spring 2016

Spring 2016
(All Works Cited Posted with Conclusions)

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Videogame Addiction by Nicholas Dao



            In our world today, one filled with technology and the internet, many people have become involved with virtual realities, or videogames. Even though the majority of us have played or have seen gameplay of videogames, only a few of these gamers are affected by videogame addiction – a social epidemic that continues to spread. 72% of United States Citizens play about 18 hours a week, or about 2 and a half hours a week, but these “unusual” behavior has been accepted as a social norm (Video Game Addiction Statistics). Although the majority of the U.S plays videos games, the select few that have been categorized as “video game addicts” clock in about 50 hours a week, or about 7 hours a day (1). This group of “addicts” makes up about 4% of the video gamer population in America Videogame addiction has been linked to unsuccessful patterns in work and in school(1). Research suggests that there are many behavioural changes that can affect the gamers’ lives (Game Addicted Students). This addiction and unnatural behaviour is a rising epidemic in America.

History and Timeline

            Videogames have become both a pastime and a career, for some, but this all originated from the first invention of a videogame for entertainment purposes in 1958, when a physicist named William Higinbotham created a table-tennis simulation, more famously known as “Pong” (Timeline: Videogame).

            The first report on video game addiction, however, dates back to 1983, when videogames started to be seen as a distraction to students, however this addiction did not become and epidemic until internet-based videogames arose (Internet gaming addiction: current perspectives). In the early 2000’s, online video games became popular, and while these games became popular, studies of Internet and video gaming addiction emerged as well (1). In 2012, more than one billion individuals around the world played some type or form of a computer game, and this was perfect for marketers and businesses to profit from such a large industry (1).

            Between the years of 1983, however, videogames changed drastically in format and content as well, which contributed greatly to the large videogame industry today and the epidemic that came as a result of the growth of the industry. Videogames first started as simple text based interactions, with the exception of games such as “Pong” (McCall). Nevertheless, the games were minimalistic in detail, since computing power and processing speeds were very low back in the 80’s and 90’s. However, as time went on, these text-based games transformed into video and graphic simulations, which allowed for simulated worlds and new realities (1). The development of new graphics and realistic images allowed for the growth of the videogame industry and in turn, the existence of videogame addiction (Kuss). Like with many types of art, videogame visuals appeal to many people and this appeal allows for videogames to be both appreciated and also enjoyed as a hobby.

Examples and Experiences

            When we think of an addiction, the first thing that comes to mind is either a junkie or a druggie that is high, in a beat down apartment or an alleyway in the ghettos. Nowadays, in our modern world filled with technology, technological addictions are becoming a common occurrence, with one instance being videogame addiction. Some of my peers have considered me to be videogame player, maybe even closer to being videogame addict. Videogame addiction is a part of life because it is a way that many people destress, a way to enter a new world, without of the problems of the world we actually live in.

            Some symptoms and characteristics personally observed from videogame addiction include not doing homework, ignoring social obligations, and not getting enough sleep. All these characteristics are most likely because of my laziness and one way that I procrastinate is turning to videogames. Also one key component of the addiction is the social aspect of online games. The internet allows for a level of connectivity that is unmatched to any other type of connection. It allows for a social aspect in gaming and a way to connect to your friends and your peers. As humans we like to be in groups, we like to communicate; it is a part of natural instinct. Videogames allow us to do this and because it allows us to be more human, it has become an interest that has turned into an addiction.

Solutions

            Much like with other kinds of addictions, video game addictions arise as a result of the addicts finding a way to escape problems in their lives, an outlet for their stress and conflicts (Video Game Addiction). Videogames stimulate the brain in a certain way that mimics the “high” experienced by drug addicts and gamblers. This is because videogames stimulate the brain so that endorphins are produced (1). According to psychiatrist Michael Brody, MD, an addiction must have two criteria to be considered an addiction (Rauh). First, the person will need more and more of a substance or of a particular behavior to keep the person going, or functioning “normally”. Second, when the person does not get this particular substance or behavior they become irritated, uncomfortable, and miserable (1).

            Like with many other types of addictions, to help treat the addiction itself, addicts need to detox from their substance or actions (Rauh). However, the problem with videogame addiction, which makes it very unique, is that most addicts actually need to use the “pathway” for everyday tasks. For example heroin addict or an alcoholic don’t necessarily use heroin or alcohol in their workspace or in their everyday tasks around the house or at school. Most of the time, videogame addicts, have to use computers for their work, home management, or even school, so avoiding the pathway for their addiction is difficult (3). Another problem with treating videogame addiction is that the addicts often cannot see that they are in trouble or that they have a problem. Doctor Keith Bakker, director of Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants, says that "it's a little bit more difficult to show somebody they're in trouble. Nobody's ever been put in jail for being under the influence of [a game]."The key to effectively treat videogame addiction, according to Bakker, is to show that real-life excitement is better than virtual excitement.

            With many addictions, a “detox process”, is used to help treat the addiction. Video game addiction has been categorized as a clinical impulse control disorder, which is identical to the addiction of gambling (Inspirations: Youth). Although there have been many attempts at treating video game addiction, the addiction itself is relatively new and researchers are still trying to find out the true extent of this problem (1).

            There have been many attempts and ways to treat videogame addiction, but for now, there is no real cure or treatment for this rising social epidemic. There are many reasons that a cure has yet to be discovered. First, video game addiction is fairly new to our world and its effects and long term implications have yet to be discovered. With this being said, it is hard to tell if treatment will be effective in the long run. Second, it is hard to take away videogames or ban them because of the same reason that alcohol isn’t illegal. Some people abuse the usage of the substances or actions while others enjoy video games or alcohol responsibly. Finally, it is hard to pinpoint what behavioral problems might be causing the need for an excessive amount of videogames or an escape from their realities (Essig). Author Jeroen Lemmens, who is involved with psychological addictions, says that “adolescent gamers with pre-existing psycho-social vulnerabilities, such as loneliness, low social competence, and low self-esteem, are more likely to become pathologically involved with games, and pathological gaming will increase adolescent gamers’ feelings of loneliness.” As this social epidemic rises, researchers will continue and see if it becomes a threat to society as they continue to find a treatment and hopefully a solution to videogame addiction.

            Although we are far from curing this social epidemic or even determining whether or not it actually a social epidemic, researchers are still treating the effects of video game addiction, in the mean time. A couple negative effects of video game addiction are impulse control disorder, a sedentary lifestyle, a lack of social engagement, problems with concentration and attention, an avoidance of developmental tasks, increased aggression/violence, and repetitive stress injuries (American Addiction Centers: Video Game Addiction Symptoms and Treatment). Researchers started to treat this addiction’s effects by first labeling the addiction itself as an impulse control disorder. This disorder is best treated by helping the addict find different ways to get dopamine. The reason video game addiction, as well as addictions like gambling and drug abuse, exists because of the release of dopamine, the “reward” chemical that the brain gives to the body to elevate mood and provides the body a rush of energy (1). Dopamine is released when we do a task that makes us happy, so a form of treatment to counteract impulse control disorder is to introduce new, healthy tasks or activities in life that replace the addiction. This also helps solve some of the other negative effects, such as social problems and anger problems. The social problems and the “impulsive actions” that are exhibited by the video game addicts are because the body just wants to feel the same “high” or stimulation from the release of dopamine. The addict’s body becomes accustomed to this dopamine rush and wants to repeat that particular activity to attempt to feel the same rush each time, so their actions become impulsive and repetitive. Clinical treatments include introducing the addict to real life social activities, helping them realize that their real lives (school, work, friends, and family) are important and should be focused as well, and also helping them deal with the stresses in their lives, since many of them play games to help escape stress and problems.

Camus and Absurdity

Camus, in his early career, wrote about “repugnant materialism”, and about how we are in a world full of materialism, to the point at which it has become a plague. Videogame addiction is linked to the materialism that plagues our world today. The materialism of our modern world is due to all the technological innovations that have affected our everyday lives. Also, it is quite absurd to think that people are addicted to escaping reality through a game. Camus would have possibly seen this social epidemic as an attempt by humans to find the meaning of life. He also may have seen this as quite absurd, but necessary and no illogical. He did not have much faith in rationalism, so the fact that there are people who escape their own realties through a virtual reality would just be a normal human behavior. Also, he may have seen it as not different from reading and writing, since these two actions essentially allow one to escape their own realities through a virtual reality.

           

Conclusion

Our world today is filled with technology and along with this technology; videogames have also come to fill up our world. It has become a social epidemic that came from the invention of a new form of entertainment. Although the majority of the United States plays some type of video game in some sort of form or fashion, only those who are addicted to video games contribute to the actual social epidemic. Video game addiction is a relatively new social epidemic that continues to spread each and every day. Solutions and treatment for solving video game addiction are hard to prove effective for all groups because the source of video game addiction is often different for the addicts. It is quite absurd that a form of entertainment can be labeled as plaguing a society, but video games in particular are harmful to society because they allow people to escape reality, much like how drugs and alcohol allow those addicts to escape reality. Video game addiction is in fact a rising social epidemic, but as long as we watch our hours of game time and make sure that we continue our social responsibilities and real interactions, we can prevent this addiction from spreading. Video games were invented as a pastime, a recreational activity, and to help relieve stress, however, we should enjoy responsibly like with all of our other pleasures in life, and if we do this, addiction can be avoided.






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