Mr Bombastic

by Addiction.com Staff


Addicts often will choose pleasure over their own families and health.


We commonly associate these risks with alcohol and drug abuse, but compulsions can arise over food, the internet and video games too.

Video games can be as addictive as illicit drugs.

The American Psychological Association’s diagnostic manual reflects this in its next release in May — violent video games can effect the pleasure center of the brain as intensely as drugs.

Doctors have found that the area of the brain that is stimulated so rewarding while playing video games is the same area of the brain pleasured by alcohol and drugs.

And, unfortunately, children are the most vulnerable to the powers of this gaming addiction. Some researchers are finding that video game addicts will get violent, physically and/or verbally, when someone puts a halt to their gaming, including their parents or siblings.

One researcher with nearly 20 years of experience in studying internet-based addictions said violent games are often associated with aggressive behavior. Otherwise well-behaving kids that become addicted to gaming have been known to strike out at his/her parents when they intervene with the gaming.

Video game addiction

Researchers are also finding links between Internet addiction and mental issues, such as anxiety, depression and various learning disabilities.

Most of the affected are young men or adolescents that are using gaming as an escape. It’s really no different than an alcoholic who finds pleasure in a bottle.

But the source of the problem isn’t necessarily the game or the bottle; it’s something inside the brain of the addicted person that researchers are trying to unlock.

At the same rate, researchers also warn that introducing youths to electronic gaming devices at an early age, which is a common practice in the developed world, can be as detrimental as handing them an addictive drug.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

This has been known for decades, but the gaming industry has successfully lobbied against the Government making any public statements to that effect and banning PSA's. They can now add smartphone and smart technology to the list of addictions, but you can be sure there's even MORE money flowing to ensure that THIS isn't made public as well.

archie bunker Loc: Texas

I find comfort in it myself. When my wife is staring at her phone talking to herself she isn't talking to me.

Mr Bombastic

I'm a video game addict. But I'm 100 percent disabled. What else am I going to do? And if anyone mentions cleaning the bathroom, or taking out the garbage, I'll...I'll...I'll. Well. I don't know what I'll do, but it will be most unpleasant.

archie bunker Loc: Texas

So I guess doing the dishes, sweeping the floor, vacuuming the rug, and dusting the furniture are all OK to talk about?

Mr Bombastic

Do you want to go to the MOON. Huh? Do you?

archie bunker Loc: Texas

It's not like I said something about doing laundry!! Sheesh!!

Mr Bombastic

Shut up, MEAT HEAD!

archie bunker Loc: Texas

Mr Bombastic

Thought you might like the All In The Family references.