Video Game&Internet Addiction

Specialties Addictions

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..

I've been talking to some friends about the phenomenon of video game addiction: The people who hole themselves up in an efficiency and play WOW from morning till night and only leave when absolutely necessary.

Has anyone seen patients of this sort on their units?

Is video game addiction even considered an addiction by the people in the field?

How is their treatment different? Or is it the same?

Just curious. The problem seems to be prevalent in the community at this point, but I don't know if it's reached the level where professional intervention is even an option yet.

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I've noticed it mostly with the few younger ones I've had.

One kids mom bought a 15 inch flatscreen and brought the game system in just so they could play it while in in-patient rehab.

I also had a girl who was attached to her phone (who isn't, I know) to the point where she wouldn't even go to the therapy room without it even though it just sat on a shelf while they did PT.

I don't know how much research there is on the topic, but I definitely believe it can be an addiction. I know an incredible amount of people around my age who have excessive video game habits. It got worse when they could go on live or whatever and talk to each other as they played together.

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Specializes in ER.

How about Allnurses addiction? Is there hope for me, Doctor?

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How about Allnurses addiction? Is there hope for me, Doctor?

I think that's what I've got.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am perhaps weird in that I think it's nice to have something to do. If I am not working and not sleeping, I am at home on the internet. I would estimate 80-90% of my waking hours are spent on the computer. Why? Well... why not? Is it any unhealthier than the people who watch 8 hours of TV per day? Or spend 8+ hours per day reading books (me before the internet)? There's only so much house cleaning you can do on your days off before you go crazy, I think, but that's just me.

Just out of curiosity - for the people who don't spend all day on the internet or playing video games, what do you do with your free time?

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..
I am perhaps weird in that I think it's nice to have something to do. If I am not working and not sleeping, I am at home on the internet. I would estimate 80-90% of my waking hours are spent on the computer. Why? Well... why not? Is it any unhealthier than the people who watch 8 hours of TV per day? Or spend 8+ hours per day reading books (me before the internet)? There's only so much house cleaning you can do on your days off before you go crazy, I think, but that's just me.

Just out of curiosity - for the people who don't spend all day on the internet or playing video games, what do you do with your free time?

Oh, yes. I can see what you're talking about. I wouldn't consider that an addiction though. It's just something you do a lot. There's a difference.

What I'm talking about: The people who are so engrossed with WOW (or whatever they play) that they lock themselves in their room/apartment and don't leave. Their social lives disappear, they have issues with the job (attendance and other things), stop seeing family, have trouble paying their bills and a whole list of other things.

There is one game out there that is a MMO social game, Second Life. People get so engrossed with it they forsake their responsibilities and personal care. There are people who have had their children taken from them, abuse via neglect......because they're in the game all day morning till night.

Heck, there were reports of people doing the same with Facebook games. They'd become so addicted to them, their lives fell apart. Too busy looking for that rare item to finish building the barn to bother with paying bills and eating.

Anyone ever read the book "Ready Player One"? It'll scare you a bit.

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