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Addiction has been defined as "A primary, chronic disease, characterized by impaired control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or behaviour. Clinically, the manifestations occur along biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions", (Schlimme, 2002).
According to Maressa Hecht Orzack of Computer Addicition Services, symptoms of video and computer game addiction are quite specific: Psychological Symptoms
“These are all examples of a condition called Computer Addiction, Internet Addictive Disorder or Cyberaddiction�, (Hecht Orzack). Like many other addictions video game addiction can affect other people, family, friends, and co-workers. Spouses can also be effected to the extreme of their loved one finding someone else over the internet and leaves home.
Video game addicts are often described by clinicians in the field as displaying many symptoms characteristic of other addictions (Schilmme, 2002). According to Mary Schlimme, addiction “…behaviours include failure to stop playing games, difficulties in work or school, telling lies to loved ones, decreased attention to personal hygiene, decreased attention to family and friends, and disturbances in the sleep cycle. Withdrawal symptoms can even include behaviors as severe as shaking� (Schlimme, 2002)
Studies show that the excitement of video games makes playing them addictive. According to some studies this addictive nature of playing video games is caused by the excitement of the video games. This excitement causes the brain to release a chemical that is, in essence, addictive. Due to the growing concern of video game addiction many addiction services are service able.
In the article,Video Game Addiction, Media literacy specialist, Dr. Charles Ungerleider explains that "they're very compelling with increasing complexity, so a child becomes more facile, yet wants to know more and apply new skills." While wanting to improve their game isn't a problem in itself, it becomes one if video games are "taking a youngster away too much from other activities," says Ungerleider (Video Game Addcition).
Mary Schlimme states that, “All addictions can be dangerous and harmful to the addicted person and others around him; however, video game addiction can be particularly detrimental to children� (Schlimme, 2002). It is evident that video games are increasingly fashionable with children of young ages, which in turn puts them at risk of developing addictions to video games.
Finally, despite possible detrimental effects of excessive video game playing, there are benefits to playing video games in moderation. For instance, video games may improve spatial abilities, the ability to create and apply multiple strategies, and may help develop critical analysing techniques. Due to the nature of video games, psychological, social, and neurological factors have all been associated with excessive video game playing.
The psychological cycle of substance addiction behaviours can be applied to video games (Schlimme, 2002). Video game playing can cause behavioural and social changes in a person. Mary Schlimme explains, ‘A person playing a video game feels an emotional high, commonly known as an adrenaline rush, as a result of his gaming tactics’ (Schlimme, 2002). As a result ‘he’, (i.e. the player) plays the game further and forces their physical and psychological limits in order to experience the emotional high (Schlimme, 2002). Eventually, the player will again reach a level that stimulates the production of adrenaline. The vicious cycle may persist until it leads to a harmful level of interaction with video games, which some professionals label video game addiction, (Schlimme, 2002). Dr. Timothy Miller, a clinical psychologist, states that “…many video game players may feel that they have wasted their efforts if they do not reach the next goal in a game, which may lead to additional time spent playing the game that the person otherwise would have spent in a more constructive task�, (Schlimme, 2002). Some professionals believe the social pressure or lack of social skills can also lead to video game addiction. Dr Orzack proposes that ‘many game addicts have struggled with finding their place in society and as a result play video games in order to become part of a crowd’, (Schlimme, 2002). This in turn influences the game players to show off their achievements in front of their associate group. Excessive video game playing may not only cause behavioural and social changes in a person, but it may also result in neurological changes (Schlimme, 2002).
‘Video Game Addiction’ The Parent Report.com [Online]. Available: [Go to Article](Accessed 24 October, 2004)
Schlimme Mary (2002) ‘Video Game Addiction: Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?’ [Online]. Available: [Go to Article] (Accessed 25 October, 2004)
Hecht Orzack, Maressa, Ph.D ‘Computer Addiction Services’[Online]. Available: [Go to Article] (Accessed 24 October, 2004)
