Game Addiction is Not an Addiction, says experts
As simple as that. Game Addiction as we commonly call someone playing (video/online) games as if there’s no tomorrow, is still out of the “addiction book” of the doctors. Isn’t that neat? Further showing how politicians and some members of the media are just using this topic so they have something to say, and have something to report? All that talk, just so people will think they are responsible, or maintain their reputation, without any consideration the result the gaming industry can contribute to the economy, and the positive effects of gaming.
Quoting:
“…more study is needed before excessive use of video and online games – a problem that affects about 10 percent of players – could be considered a mental illness.”
Follow up:
What exactly are they referring to, or how are these experts looking at video game addiction? They themselves will answer it:
“Doctors backed away on Sunday from a controversial proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder akin to alcoholism, saying psychiatrists should study the issue more.”
There, “akin to alcoholism”. We all know what alcohol addiction is, and these psychiatrists “backed away” from the proposal to mark video game addiction at the same level as alcoholism.
“There is nothing here to suggest that this is a complex physiological disease state akin to alcoholism or other substance abuse disorders, and it doesn’t get to have the word addiction attached to it,” said Dr. Stuart Gitlow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
“It is not yet clear whether video games are addictive,” according to Dr. Louis Kraus of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, who is also a psychiatrist at Rush University Medical Center. “It’s not necessarily a cause-and-effect type issue. There may be certain kids who have a compulsive component to what they are doing.”
Finally, the Entertainment Software Association, representing the $30 billion global video game industry, said more research is needed before even considering video game addiction as a mental disorder.
In other words, politicians, parents, teachers, members of the press, and those who were victims of addicted husbands/boyfriends, do NOT make video game addiction an excuse to your irresponsibility and lack of knowledge on how to raise your kids. I was once there, long before today’s generation got addicted to video games, especially LAN and online games, but my parents and my friends, even my ex-girlfriend, and all the experiences I went through, taught me how to prioritize the different areas of my life, and how important “offline” social-life is.
If these people just simply gave up on me, or do not spend time to lecture me and control me, I wouldn’t be here now, you wouldn’t be reading this at all. Parents, spend time with your children. Politicians, stop using this sensitive issue for your personal gains, because no matter what you say, you got no solid basis that today’s generation of gamers will be war-freak adults of tomorrow. To the members of the media, especially those people who received lots of awards, do your research properly.
I always say this, “Been there, done that. I know how to get out, but you will not listen and help.”
Reference: Addiction experts say video games not an addiction.
PS
Just as I said before, we need a dialog between the Parents, Politicians and the Regular and Professional Gamers.
Because for example, many parents and politicians think that being a gamer is a sign of immaturity.
Next: to be written
Previous: Weak Link between Game Addiction and Aggression