Video Games and Addictions

1. By: Spencer.Squires VideoGamesandAddictions Video Game Addiction

2. What is an addiction? • Historically, addiction has been defined as physical and/or psychological dependence on psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco, heroin, caffeine and other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain. Broadly, addiction is defined as the continued use of a mood altering addictive substance or behaviors despite adverse consequences.[1] Some defining characteristics of addiction include impaired control over the substance/behavior, preoccupation with the substance/behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial Continue…

3. Continued… • Addiction can also be viewed as a continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the negative consequences associated with it. Pleasure, enjoyment or relief from actual or perceived ailments would have originally been sought; however, over a period of time involvement with the substance or activity is needed to feel normal.[3] Some psychology professionals and many laypeople now mean 'addiction' to include abnormal psychological dependency on such things as gambling, video games, food, computers, internet, work, exercise, adrenaline, idolizing, watching TV, spiritual obsession, self-injury and shopping.

4. What is an video game addiction? • Anyone who has experienced it knows all too well – video game addiction is real. Although gaming addiction is not yet officially recognized as a diagnosable disorder by the American Medical Association, there is increasing evidence that people of all ages, especially teens and pre-teens, are facing very real, sometimes severe consequences associated with compulsive use of video and computer games. Continued…

5. Continued… • Video games are becoming increasingly complex, detailed, and compelling to a growing international audience of players. With better graphics, more realistic characters, and greater strategic challenges, it’s not surprising that some teens would rather play the latest video game than hang out with friends, play sports, or even watch television

6. Aggressive Behavior • We need to know how video game addic­tion affects our life. On the inside, video games affect the brain waves that travel through our lobes by mak­ing us feel more aggres­sive. The worse part about this is that even when the game is already turned off, the aggres­sion still main­tains in our brain which can explain why dis­turb­ing inci­dents hap­pen merely over a game Continued…

7. Continued… • When you play lots of action-packed video games, you increasingly need more powerful images in order to respond emotionally to the game. This is called stimulus addiction. The term "stimulus addiction" describes the habit that is formed as kids seek out more and more violent games to hold their interest. All video games, including those that are nonviolent, can become addictive. For example, a simple game like Tetris can get us "hooked" for a longer period of time than we'd like. However, violent video games magnify these characteristics by requiring the part of our brain that reacts, rather than reasons, to focus on the constant need to destroy in order to stay in the game.

8. Who Does It Affect? • Boys, in particular, are vulnerable to this call to battle. Recent studies indicate that boys' moods are elevated when playing violent video games and that they feel satisfied after playing. Girls, on the other hand, feel less comfortable after playing and are less likely to choose to play again. • But me? Well lets just say I am definitely not like most girls when it comes to violent video games.

9. Stories of “Addictores” "I am 14 and im a freaken addict...my parents seem to care but never try to kick me off or even try to help. i have 2 lvl 70's one that is full t6 and other full t5. thus i have no life i cant even imagine what i would do if i deleted my toons. I really want to quit but i cant. I mean this [expletive deleted] game is controlling me and i cant stop. i have almost deleted my toons but im afraid i'll just start up another one." "Im 12 and i cant stop playing wow i play about 8-10 hours a day mostly because all my friends are on it, and im bored when i don’t play it.I just failed socials too”.

10. how to know if u are addicted • 1.You feel really happy when you're online or when you're playing games, but as soon as you have to stop, you get angry or upset. • 2.You think about going online or playing when you are supposed to be focusing on other things, like doing school work or having dinner with your family. • 3.You spend more time with your keyboard or controller than physically hanging out with your friends. • 4.Your friends or parents ask what you spend all your time doing, and you lie about it or laugh it off, but inside you know they may have a point. • 5.You get up in the middle of the night to check your e-mail or your MySpace comments because you're having a hard time sleeping.

11. How to stop… • As anyone who has quit smoking or been on a diet knows, it is much harder to quit when the object of your addiction is always in your face and when everyone you know is participating in it. It’s likely that a child addicted to computer games also has to use the computer for schoolwork. And their friends are likely all gamers as well. So how do you begin to fight the addiction? • A therapist or treatment program that specializes in adolescents would be a first place to start. For example, a summer camp or wilderness program will get your child out of his normal environment and into a situation where he is forced to experience reality. His time will be filled with activities that are designed to instill confidence, develop healthy passions, and foster social skills. Continue….

12. Continued… • Of course, choosing the right program, preferably one that has a therapeutic element, will be essential. Sending a socially challenged child to a rough-and-tumble military or boot camp with highly competitive activities could do more harm than good. Therapeutic boarding schools and wilderness camps for teens that specialize in treating addiction and behavioral issues may be just what your child needs to turn his life around.

13. Video’s on violent addicting games • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8MFkSJMvTU Top 5 violent games.

14. bibliography • http://www.video-game-addiction.org/ http://www.gnb.ca/0378/whatisanaddiction-e.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction my brain