Everyone knows that drug addiction exists in places like San Diego. Drug rehab centers in larger cities are always in demand as America’s trouble with addiction grows daily. Far from drugs, yet still very similar, there is another, lesser-known addiction that is affecting a completely different set of the population. Video games, especially online role-playing games, are becoming a problem for many of America’s youth.
Far from San Diego, even small town U.S.A’s children can be affected. Each year, more cases of reclusive children are being reported. Although video game addiction is not widely accepted by mainstream medicine as a disorder, nor is it treated in most drug rehab centers, video game addicts report experiencing symptoms strikingly similar to many substance addictions.
According to Kimberly Young, clinical director of the Center for On-Line Addiction, "It's a clinical impulse control disorder,” similar to compulsive gambling.
Psychiatrist Michael Brody set two criteria for addiction in an article for WebMD, the first being the need for more and more of a substance or behavior to keep a person going. The second criteria for addiction is if a person gets angry or irritable when he does not receive more of a substance or behavior.
Parents all over San Diego know what it’s like to take away video gaming privileges from their children as punishment. Think of the fit a child throws—then think of the state a child who immerses himself in gaming all day, every day, would be in after losing video game privileges.
There is evidence that dopamine levels are elevated in gambling addicts, and it is likely similar for video game addicts. The opportunity for the gamer to escape reality and feel good about himself is likely another important factor. If a child feels poorly about himself at school or even in his own home, video games provide a perfect escapist opportunity.
While sending children to drug rehab centers for video game addiction seems a little odd, a program similar to detox can be necessary for many people affected by video game addiction.
Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants are doing just that in the Netherlands. As one of the first video game addiction programs in the world, kids and young adults are quitting video games, cold turkey, in a rehab environment.
Whether in San Diego or a town with a population of 100, it is important for the families of children who exhibit symptoms of video game addiction to get help immediately. While most mainstream drug rehab centers do not treat this disorder, there are many private physiologists and therapists willing to provide the treatment that can save a child from getting deeper into addiction.
Ian Carry is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Miramar Recovery Center. Follow on Twitter
Far from San Diego, even small town U.S.A’s children can be affected. Each year, more cases of reclusive children are being reported. Although video game addiction is not widely accepted by mainstream medicine as a disorder, nor is it treated in most drug rehab centers, video game addicts report experiencing symptoms strikingly similar to many substance addictions.
According to Kimberly Young, clinical director of the Center for On-Line Addiction, "It's a clinical impulse control disorder,” similar to compulsive gambling.
Psychiatrist Michael Brody set two criteria for addiction in an article for WebMD, the first being the need for more and more of a substance or behavior to keep a person going. The second criteria for addiction is if a person gets angry or irritable when he does not receive more of a substance or behavior.
Parents all over San Diego know what it’s like to take away video gaming privileges from their children as punishment. Think of the fit a child throws—then think of the state a child who immerses himself in gaming all day, every day, would be in after losing video game privileges.
There is evidence that dopamine levels are elevated in gambling addicts, and it is likely similar for video game addicts. The opportunity for the gamer to escape reality and feel good about himself is likely another important factor. If a child feels poorly about himself at school or even in his own home, video games provide a perfect escapist opportunity.
While sending children to drug rehab centers for video game addiction seems a little odd, a program similar to detox can be necessary for many people affected by video game addiction.
Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants are doing just that in the Netherlands. As one of the first video game addiction programs in the world, kids and young adults are quitting video games, cold turkey, in a rehab environment.
Whether in San Diego or a town with a population of 100, it is important for the families of children who exhibit symptoms of video game addiction to get help immediately. While most mainstream drug rehab centers do not treat this disorder, there are many private physiologists and therapists willing to provide the treatment that can save a child from getting deeper into addiction.
Ian Carry is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Miramar Recovery Center. Follow on Twitter