The cause of Gaming Addiction

The Cause of Gaming Addiction

It is clear that with the rise in gaming culture in society many people have found some trouble limiting their usage of games, to a point were they show symptoms of addiction. Gaming addiction. But why does this occur?

Gaming addiction can be simply explained as the uncontrollable need and want to amerce ones self in games. This can be shown in a singular cause. Dopamine.  Dopamine is described as a chemical that is released by the mind when feeling joy, pleasure, or excitement. This chemical release can allow people to feel these feelings with tasks that people either physically or mentally enjoy. Gaming is no exception of this as people truly emit happiness and other emotions when playing video games. This is obvious. However, dopamine is a chemical most people crave without knowing it, as to satisfy the need they must continue with acts that may rise dopamine levels. These acts have been commonly been seen through alcohol, sex, gambling and games. By constantly increasing these actions either by themselves or together, a common pattern is formed to preserve the need for “happiness”, this pattern then forms itself into daily habits till it becomes an addiction.

Gaming is particularly one large source for dopamine release, as it offers fast and easy options for the public. What this means is that in life dopamine releases are harder to obtain as sex, physical activities (like scoring a goal) or solving challenging problems are significantly harder to obtain. Thus gaming is introduced. Gaming provides a straight forward route to joy. Experiences such as gaining levels, socialising with online communities or receiving rare items have shown to have similar levels of happiness to real life activities. Because of this a reclusive nature has appeared in society, particularly in the younger generations. Gaming has become an addiction. As the news article "Online gaming addiction simliar to alcoholism, gaming industry should pay for treatment", states gaming has become a rival to do these issues.

Clearly, the idea of gaming addiction is derived from the need to satisfy ones self. To do this people must gain a release of dopamine from what they find the most pleasurable. In the case of modern society, its gaming.


Article:
http://www.news.com.au/technology/home-entertainment/online-gaming-addiction-simliar-to-alcoholism-gaming-industry-should-pay-for-treatment-says-new-s-korea-proposal/story-e6frfrt9-1226781124458