Internet Addiction Treatment (WoW)

[Callace]

I've been thinking about this topic for a long time, especially in terms of this game. It's sort of an emerging thing, but do you think there would be enough demand to launch a service that specializes in WoW or MMOs in general? My girlfriend says there are one or two programs that exist for Facebook -which is probably the worst form imo. Do you think there are enough cases of Internet addiction that revolve around WoW that people would actively seek it?


*Disclaimer- I'm not claiming that it is the norm, but I have read testimonies from people that don't enjoy playing, but do so out of habit.

[Darsithis]

If you could get a doctor to consider you to be addicted to World of Warcraft. Most people who think they are, aren't.

[Callace]

If you could get a doctor to consider you to be addicted to World of Warcraft. Most people who think they are, aren't.

That's the tricky part, I'm pretty sure they couldn't formally diagnose for a specific game, but they could recommend an adjunct therapy group for people that focus on it.

[Lochton]

Well, it is viable..

They have already accepted that addiction to pornography is viable, as well as internet in general. Though for a specific game may not be as easy.

[Callace]

Something else that catches my attention. A lot of people haunt the forums long after they have stopped playing. These people usually seem very upset/anxious/frustrated. I wonder if that is a form of behavioral addiction withdrawal.

[Deleted]

Well, it is viable..

They have already accepted that addiction to pornography is viable, as well as internet in general. Though for a specific game may not be as easy.

That's because 10 times of 10 even if you have to addiction it's not to the specific game and usually the game isn't the primary reason for addiction either but just a side effect to some other personality disorder.

[Lochton]

That's because 10 times of 10 even if you have to addiction it's not to the specific game and usually the game isn't the primary reason for addiction either but just a side effect to some other personality disorder.

That is indeed true, that is why an addiction to a game cannot be medically confirmed.

That is why people doesn't really seek it out as a addiction, but more as a means.

[Jaylock]

Something else that catches my attention. A lot of people haunt the forums long after they have stopped playing. These people usually seem very upset/anxious/frustrated. I wonder if that is a form of behavioral addiction withdrawal.

Or they might just like the lore and story of the game, and still follow it to see if the developer will make changes that is favorable to them to play the game they once loved again?

Or maybe they just like discussing aspects of the game? Do I have to be watching the hunger games in order for me to talk about it with friends / other people? Do I have to be a pilot to enjoy flying around the world? Do I have to be a pilot to talk about flying to different areas of the world with my friends?

[Callace]

That is indeed true, that is why an addiction to a game cannot be medically confirmed.

The DSM V identifies that addiction can occur for any specific behavior. In the last edition, an addiction to a specific behavior was relegated to "Substance Abuse", but that got very confusing because of the obvious misnomer. I do agree that most behaviors are symptomatic though. If someone is addicted to WoW (or a game), there is a very high likelihood of comorbidity for other disorders, especially major depression.

I have seen people that lose functionality in other areas of life due to over-playing. It is not common, but I am wondering if there are enough people to start an adjunct group.

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Or they might just like the lore and story of the game, and still follow it to see if the developer will make changes that is favorable to them to play the game they once loved again?

Or maybe they just like discussing aspects of the game? Do I have to be watching the hunger games in order for me to talk about it with friends / other people? Do I have to be a pilot to enjoy flying around the world? Do I have to be a pilot to talk about flying to different areas of the world with my friends?

That's a very humanistic view, and I appreciate it. I didn't accuse anyone personally, and it only matters if the person is losing functionality in other areas over it.

[mistahwilshire]

I think 'addiction' itself is tough to define for this. I've eased back a lot recently but in the past I've had long long stretches of hardcore raiding in WoW during damn near 100% of my free time while also working 50+ hour weeks, getting promoted, and buying a house.

There's a big difference between going really damn hard and addiction and I'm not sure if an outside perspective like a doctor or therapist would be knowledgeable enough to know the difference.

[Lochton]

The DSM V identifies that addiction can occur for any specific behavior. In the last addition, an addiction to a specific behavior was relegated to "Substance Abuse", but that got very confusing because of the obvious misnomer. I do agree that most behaviors are symptomatic though. If someone is addicted to WoW (or a game), there is a very high likelihood of comorbidity for other disorders, especially major depression.

I have seen people that lose functionality in other areas of life due to over-playing. It is not common, but I am wondering if there are enough people to start an adjunct group.

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That's a very humanistic view, and I appreciate it. I didn't accuse anyone personally, and it only matters if the person is losing functionality in other areas over it.

Already been proven through many virtual activities to support and buff the mind during illness, it can easily calm ones nerves (unless you are the ones whom burst raging) or even operate with a wider reach. Allowing people in such situation a small comfort of communicating and reaching out some other way. I have seen many situations where a game has been proven to be a healthy escape of how they feel, then allowing them to test themselves to see if they can complete with another step, moving on. Going from just the anti-social behavior, to maybe communicating on voice chat, to then reach out to meet people.

We cannot deny that some may use games as a means of getting their buzz, like gamblers for example, they are seen in many situations to release high amounts of endorphins when during games. Could be found of course in other games.

That is also one of the things that lets us stay behind, not because we crave the game, but because our minds feel that it just needs to be a little updated. Even if we disagree with so, it is a signal deeper in that operates those choices too. Of course we could all take the moment to step away from anything outside and inside about that game but then it'll strike, the surge of signals trying to fill out those spaces. Some becomes restless, others easily annoyd and so on.

[Callace]

I think 'addiction' itself is tough to define for this. I've eased back a lot recently but in the past I've had long long stretches of hardcore raiding in WoW during damn near 100% of my free time while also working 50+ hour weeks, getting promoted, and buying a house.

There's a big difference between going really damn hard and addiction and I'm not sure if an outside perspective like a doctor or therapist would be knowledgeable enough to know the difference.

The difference is if you lose your house/job etc. over it, rather than getting promoted. So no, you wouldn't qualify. ;p The metrics for addiction are actually pretty simple. Are you suffering over it? etc.

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Already been proven through many virtual activities to support and buff the mind during illness, it can easily calm ones nerves (unless you are the ones whom burst raging) or even operate with a wider reach. Allowing people in such situation a small comfort of communicating and reaching out some other way. I have seen many situations where a game has been proven to be a healthy escape of how they feel, then allowing them to test themselves to see if they can complete with another step, moving on. Going from just the anti-social behavior, to maybe communicating on voice chat, to then reach out to meet people.

I'm sure there are therapeutic properties as well. People get high on prescription drugs for instance.

We cannot deny that some may use games as a means of getting their buzz, like gamblers for example, they are seen in many situations to release high amounts of endorphins when during games. Could be found of course in other games.

I thought this was very poignant. Many games use random number generators to simulate the feeling of gambling. I doubt if that by itself could be harmful though, as long as it doesn't involve real money.

[Deleted]

Do I have to be watching the hunger games in order for me to talk about it with friends / other people?

Yes cause otherwise it makes no sense to talk about it - not that YOU ever do any....
You would probably talk about ie a Waiwai exhibition without having seen it ;p

[Jaylock]

Yes cause otherwise it makes no sense to talk about it - not that YOU ever do any....
You would probably talk about ie a Waiwai exhibition without having seen it ;p

I am honored that your signature features me

[LilSaihah]

Something else that catches my attention. A lot of people haunt the forums long after they have stopped playing. These people usually seem very upset/anxious/frustrated. I wonder if that is a form of behavioral addiction withdrawal.

i'm not addicted to wow
i'm addicted to complaining on the internet

[Steve the Sloth]

I put a lot of personal thought into this over the years and have come to the conclusion that it is indeed a mild addiction for me. Whether I accept this or not is beside the point but the most recent example would be the fact that I'm moving in a month or so and am basing the location of my new residence on the available internet speeds of the area and how quickly I can have internet set up there.

I need help.