Video Game Addiction
Even though video game addiction is not a recognized disorder by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), plenty of research exists worldwide to suggest that video game addiction is a problem for people of all ages. At reSTART we have received calls for help for children as young as 8 years old, and as old as 65. The types of games being played varies from player to player and include such notable games as World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Dota 2, Mass Effect, Guild Wars, Final Fantasy, Ultima Online, Minecraft, Planetside, Assasin’s Creed and Quake to name a few. In reality, there are now hundreds of thousands of games, and variants being played by users all over the world.
Video games are addictive, with some versions more so than others. For example, World of Warcraft players contact reSTART with some regularity, stating that they’d been playing for several years before seeking help for their gaming habits. Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG’s) and other video games which involve infinite possibilities and complexity, are typically deemed to be more addictive, however, there are people addicted to playing something less complex, or interactive such as hearts. As digital technology entertainment advances, virtual reality environments are deemed to be the next big advancement proving to have greater addictive potential than their predecessors.
Statistically, approximately 10-15 percent of Internet users show signs and symptoms of gaming addiction. With approximately 280 million Internet users in the United States and growing every day, some 28 million users may be in need of some form of support, intervention, counseling or treatment for their compulsive use of video games (based on a 10% prevalence rate). Although these ever increasing numbers may seem alarming, there are plenty of people who play video games who are not addicted, who balance their lives, interact with friends and family face-to-face, and enjoy life.
reSTART has a dedicated team of professionals devoted to working with individuals, couples and family members who’ve been touched by problematic video game use, abuse or dependence, and our website is filled with information about all types of digital distractions. If we can be of any support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help users reconnect with life.
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