also @ TechSpot: OCZ Vertex 450 SSD Review

› ›

Game addiction clinic opens in Amsterdam

By Justin Mann

On July 19, 2006, 10:50 AM

Just how bad can game addiction be? If you're one of the many, like me, who have bought a game on pre-order and then stayed up for 3 days straight after it arrived to blaze through it, you know how addicting a captivating game can be. The greater immersion that video games offer over movies or other types of digital entertainment make them easy to get into – and get lost inside of. For most, that's ok and we can handle it. For others, they are not so lucky, and for many it has become so bad that a game rehab clinic has been opened in Amsterdam. Other countries around the world are also beginning to see game addiction as an addiction like any other and have begun treating it as well. For some, it can be serious:

Hyke van der Heijden, a 28-year-old Dutchman, said his gaming problem got so bad that he flunked out of college. He said pot smoking and gaming kept him emotionally sedated for years. "The games, that was my comfort zone. That was the only reality I could manage."
While I don't agree with some in saying that video game designers are responsible for addictions, it is easy to see how someone could toss their life away to play more. The original article also goes into the general nature of the Internet and things like MySpace. An interesting read, and a topic that is likely to stir up controversy.

No tags on this story

5 comments

User Comments: 5

Got something to say? Post a comment
  1. July 19, 2006 10:53 AM
    Phantasm66 said:
    I used to be addicted to games. After coming home from work, I could not relax without playing something like Q3 or Unreal Tournament for about 1 hour. I've now stopped playing games altogether. I don't feel like I am missing anything in my life.
    Reply
  2. July 20, 2006 4:58 AM
    slake said:
    OMG - that is lame. How about turning the computer off and going outside?
    Reply
  3. July 20, 2006 10:28 PM
    zephead said:
    ahh, games can never be addictive on a chemical level. it's simply a matter of poor self control.
    Reply
  4. July 21, 2006 2:50 AM
    eko said:
    Yes they can I remember playing C&C Tiberium Dawn like a madman back when I was in high school.And it was FUN, too !
    Reply
  5. July 21, 2006 10:38 AM
    zephead said:
    i can understand playing a game a lot because you enjoy it - i used to play far cry for at least 4 hours every day of the week. but to say that computer games can produce a chemical dependency resulting in addiction is pushing it. if that were true, then you'd go thru withdrawal (vomiting, sickness, that kind of stuff) once you stopped playing games.if anything, there is a mental addiction happening here. and let's face it - it's not that hard to overcome.
    Reply

Recently commented stories

Post a new comment

Social Login & Guest Posting TechSpot Members
Login here or sign up for free,
it takes about a minute.
Get complete access to the TechSpot community. Join thousands of technology enthusiasts that contribute and share knowledge in our forum. Get a private inbox, upload your own photo gallery and more.
TechSpot on:

Most Popular

Trending Featured
More Trending Topics

Featured on Keyboards

Downloads and Drivers

Downloads   Drivers  

1by1 1.79

MKVToolNix 6.2.0

WinDirStat 1.1.2

SketchUp 13.0.3689

MessageMe for Android 1.0.11

More Downloads

Latest Discussion

How did my Windows key become disabled? 15 replies on Other Hardware

Screen saver stop working after installing Norton 12 replies on Software Apps

Need advice on router-buy 5 replies on Storage and Networking

Windows load screen at boot, looong black screen, then normal startup 61 replies on Windows OS

Where should & can I upgrade? 9 replies on Other Hardware

More Recent Discussion

Subscribe to TechSpot

Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.