Gaming Addiction – The world is full of a variety of different addictive substances and behaviors, including drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, caffeine, chocolate, gambling, pornography, the internet, and even credit cards, that at first can seem harmless, and then they take their grip on the user. It is not uncommon for someone to associate the word addictive with something like smoking or gambling (even if playing mobile casino at EasyMobileCasino.com), because those habits often become addictive in nature. Yet, do we as individuals ever associate the words addiction and gaming in the same thought process?

You might not associate things like online casino sites for Nevada at BestUSCasinos.org as a gaming addiction because the American Medical Association has determined that it is not yet ready to classify gaming as a habit that has similar effects to the habit of gambling. And, although the American Medical Association may not be ready to classify it as an addiction, treatment centers around the world have been created to specifically help those who struggle with a gaming addiction.

Google China and Gaming Addiction and see what you get. Yes, China. Many kids have died while gaming in their own homes in China.

Anyway, while at the treatment center, these gaming addicts go through a detox quite similar to the experience of anyone who would be suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction; they basically quit cold turkey.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see people experience gaming withdrawals, like the couple from Reno, Nevada, who neglected their children because they preferred playing Dungeons & Dragons Online for hours. Every day you hear stories about addictive games and people who become obsessed, becoming literal zombies like the ones they play in. If you talk to the makers of these popular games, including StarCraft, EverQuest, Call of Duty, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and World of Warcraft, they will tell you these games are designed to be addictive.

While people on the outside may view an addictive game negatively, those on the inside design it and view it very positively. These gaming companies are in no way sitting around the table like a tobacco company trying to figure out ways to sell consumers an addictive substance that is bad for their health. However, they also deal with a double-edged sword ” if the game is not exciting to play (what most people would classify as addictive), who is going to buy their product?

This gray area can cause people to question certain games, specifically those that are controversial. One in particular, World of Warcraft (you might hear it called World of WarCrack), has been questioned time and time again regarding their intentions with their game and additionally whether or not they have crossed the line when it comes to addiction. The producers of the game disagree with any claims of false intentions, saying that they do the exact same thing every other company out there does only better and they attribute their success to customer service. Despite what they say, many people today still think the game is a cause of addiction for many people.

The designers and producers of these games are an easy target for placing blame on the addictive nature of gaming ” after all, they do profit from it. However, when you dig deeper and look at the social networking aspects involved in gaming, there may be more than just the design that contributes to gaming addiction. Before the internet, people played games by themselves, however, now they can play with thousands of people across the world with which they share similar interests. It is definitely one more element contributing to their gaming addiction.

There are therapists today who specialize their work in Internet and computer addiction and they will tell you that social networking can be a major addiction for many people. Thus, when added to the mix of gaming it obviously enhances the problem. Additionally, the majority of gamers are teenagers or young males in their 20s that have spare time and lack friends, companionship, and even love. Unfortunately, there is little that pulls them away from their addiction.

Although gaming can be a fun activity and a social one, it is questionable how often is excessive. If you like gaming, make sure you have balance in your life and that the time you spend on the computer is not taking control of your life.