Video Games-The Digital Opium?

    Playing video games occasionally for recreation is generally harmless and in some cases, even beneficial. Besides providing entertainment, some games even come with further benefits as they can help build decision-making skills, give education and help in the general well-being of a person. Unfortunately, many gamers are tempted to escape reality and become so immersed in their games that they need proper treatment and care to recover from this addiction.

    In the medical world, addiction is typically associated with the abuse of substances such as drugs and alcohol. However, compulsive behavior, which can include hardcore gaming also fits into this
category.

    In a WebMD article, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry spokesman Dr. Michael Brody explained that in order to be considered an addict, the person must have built a strong dependence on a substance or behavior so that the failure to obtain or participate in it results in irritability and unhappiness. This is similar to the withdrawal symptoms faced by an opium consumer when made to forgo his daily portion. These symptoms include, but are not limited to violence, depression and anger.

    Due to insufficient evidence and study, compulsive game is yet to be recognized as a disorder. However, even if no official diagnosis or study is available, addiction to video games isn’t necessarily a false condition. Overuse of video games is actually similar to impulse control disorder, a condition that covers impulsive behaviors, such as pathological gambling, pyromania and kleptomania. Steps are being taken to recognize gaming addiction as a disorder so that it gets the research, funding and attention it deserves.

    Similar to other compulsive disorders, video game addiction can have severe negative consequences. Though most of the symptoms listed above have short-term effects, they can lead to more severe long-term repercussions if not addressed properly. For example, someone addicted to video games will often avoid sleeping or eating proper meals and ignore other chores in order to continue gaming. While the short-term effects of this may include tiredness and fatigue, it could eventually lead to a sleep disorder or diet-related health issues. Similarly, those who isolate themselves from others in order to play video games may miss out on family events, outings with friends, or other events in the short-term. If this continues to be a pattern for a long period of time addicts might find themselves without any friends at all.

    Video game developers are constantly building upon the game, adding new features to try out and territories to explore on a regular basis There is no set end to the game, and the competitive nature of
the cooperative online play encourages people to play as often as they can. No one sets out to spend most of their time on Fortnite—it happens to most people by accident.

    Other long-term effects of video game addiction to consider are the financial, academic and occupational consequences involved. Video games and video game equipment can be very expensive, especially  when factoring in recurring costs such as the high-speed internet connection required for  online multiplayer games. These games can also be very time-consuming, leaving addicted gamers with less time to focus on their academics or career.

    Quitting cold turkey is not an option for such a case, as an affected individual who is deprived of video games may experience anger, depression and feelings of emptiness. Thus, the first step for any such individual is playing in moderation and shifting focus to sports or hobbies like reading which will shift the focus of the concerned individuals from video games to other constructive. Gradually they can
reduce the time they spend on their gaming session and free themselves from this “digital opium”.