Video Gamers Anonymous

I got into a pretty big debate with my friends a few days ago. I
argued that for people who are addicted to videogames its extremely
hard to quit, cold turkey. They argued it's not that hard, all
you have to do is just stop. Easier said then done I
argued. I Google'd for some support, and came across this
article. It's written by a female college student at Bryn Mawr,
but even though she doesn't have a medical degree and is fairly young,
I think she provides a very good overview of the issue with some
interesting points (specifically the Sunk Cost Fallacy -- we've all
been there). Give it a read and tell me what you think.
It'll take all of five minutes, and I have a feeling that many of us
can relate to what's said, at least to some extent.

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web2/mschlimme.html

Personally, I've always been pretty captivated by videogames, more so
than most people I meet. This doesn't mean I don't live a normal
life, but I do find that I have more fun, am more healthy, and more
social during the periods of time when I decide to give up
videogames. For example, I uninstalled Steam recently, so that I
could get through the rest of the semester without distraction, and
oddly enough, I feel much more alive. And yet at the same time,
I'm pretty sure as soon as summer rolls around, I'll be redownloading
Steam.

Is it the Dopamine? Is it the Sunk Cost Fallacy? Or is
there something else about me that makes Goldeneye, Half Life, and Half
Life 2 so much more appealing?

Its easy to quit: Get a GirlFriend!

First off, did you read the article?

Second, for some, that's easier said that done. For others,
that's not a fullproof solution. I recently dated a great girl
for about 2 years, during which for a period I gave up videogames
completely because they seemed to lead to emotional apathy (which
obviously doesn't work if you're trying to maintain a healthy
relationship). Ultimately I began playing again (not
obsessively), and that in combination with distance probably had
something to do with me getting tired and breaking it off. I
don't think girlfriends, even though they are obviously great
distractions, are the kryptonite/vaccine for videogame addiction.
That's just from personal experience.

Any other suggestions?

ATM, did you re-install Steam already? I saw your map uploaded. :smile:

Anyway, I perused the article, it's an interesting read. I agree
with it, for the most part. Gaming definitely has some
advantages, as I feel that my reflexes have improved since I started
playing FPS games. In addition, it's a good way to wind down for
me.

I know it sounds a bit contradictory, but after a hard day working in
the hectic clinic, I need to play some Far Cry or Half-Life 2 to unwind
my mind. It's as if my brain is so cluttered with patients that I
find it difficult to go straight to bed (I work at night, usually until
9:30 pm). There is no better way for me to relax than to play a
fifteen-minute round of videogame. It helps me to separate my
brain from the worries of the real world.

And it is possible to have a girlfriend (or a fiance, in my case) and
game at the same time. They're definitely not mutually
exclusive. The key is moderation, and my fiance is right in
saying that I don't have a problem because I never postpone social or
work obligations to play games. I even take time out to exercise
and watch movies in my spare times. We still enjoy time together,
going shopping or dining out.

Some people's gaming pattern can easily qualify them as addicts, but
this only applies to a minority of gamers. Most do it while still
maintaining control with their daily lives.

I didn't read it because im in the middle of class. Seriously though, a female will tie up your time the most, essentially breaking the obsession between you and video games (unless shes a fragdoll that plays video games with you). I guess Im not addicted, because at some points I just dont care to play, Id rather be hanging out with someone of the opposite sex. But mapping......ha...thats a different story, I don't think I can stop!

Hahah satchmo, no Steam is still off my computer. But I had a
bunch of shots lying around of some older maps I've worked on. It
seemed pretty silly to have only 1 map listed when I've created several
others.

As for your point about using videogames to unwind... as long as one
can responsibly moderate the amount of time they play, then there's no
problem. The interesting aspects of the article, in my opinion,
were the similarities between video games and drugs. I've
definitely experienced huge adrenaline rushes while playing CS
(especially my first LAN experience two weekends ago), and it seems
that there is definitely something chemical about video game addiction.

Talk about the rush. Yes, I think it's equivalent to heroin (not that I've tried). When I play any FPS game for the first time, my pupils dilate and my heart races. Breathing becomes shallow and everything else disappears from my world.

What I hate the most is when the telephone rings. It snaps me back to reality suddenly while my head still spins a bit. It's like waking up from a fantastic dream. It sure leaves me frustrated.

It's funny that you brought up heroin. I used that analogy when
arguing with my friends (not that I've tried it either) because thats
what it damn sure feels like I'm addicted to. But... of course
they jumped all over me for that one. I retracted my statement,
since heroin is obviously much much more addictive, and physically
so. I don't shake uncontrollably for days after I quit playing
(and, keeping Trainspotting in mind, I don't feel like I'm orgasming
all over when I do play, for that matter).