Can gaming be an addiction?

[RCBH928]

Exactly what the topic title says

I know some people are hobbyists , but can it be addicting, in such a way that it gets into your life,and you can not stop?

Lately I have been getting urges to play, like I need my fix, I just have to play, this did not happen in the years I stopped gaming. It happened after I got highly involved with multiple console owned after owning 0 since '98-late 2006.

Is there anything that supports this?
should I be worried?

lately I have been noticing that I need to leave home at 8 , but because I want to complete the level or defeat the boss I stay at home until 10 or 11.

[yomomma1]

I suppose so, But I don't have that problem, my problem is collecting.

[MrHealthy]

It most definitely can be. Pretty much any sort of hobby can be though.

Hobbies should never interfere with daily life as it is starting to do with you, not going when you need too. However, you realize this so it shouldn't be a problem, just make a focused effort to lay of the games for a bit. I have had to make the effort a few times, I just put all my games out of sight in the closet and eventually my urges went away, didn't want them at all for a few months. Then when I did start playing again I had more control over myself.

[Incognito D]

I have had to make the effort a few times, I just put all my games out of sight in the closet and eventually my urges went away, didn't want them at all for a few months. Then when I did start playing again I had more control over myself.

how appropriate coming from a guy named Mr Healthy

[Capcomwarrior]

When Halo 2 came out, I was late to work every day for almost a week. I just wanted to play one more quick match on live every day when it was time to go. My boss was even like "now I know halo 2 just came out but you are gonna have to start coming to work on time, now".
When halo 3 came out, I failed a class (that I had actually loved before) as a result of not managing my playing time.
Sorry it wasn't a retro example... although I do remember playing plenty Nintendo Ds while waiting for matches.

[Luke]

Anything can become an addiction if you let it.

Urges and impulses are natural, just as long as you have the ability to control them. You and I talked about fasting before, and I think it's a pretty good measuring stick for self control.

[Anayo]

Back in November 2008 or so, there was a guy in one of my classes I overheard talking to a girl. He said, "Sorry I wasn't here the other day."

She said, "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, were you sick?"

He said, "Of course I was. Halo 3 had just come out."

[17DaysOlderThanNES]

I don't know, it just comes down to self control in general: drugs, alcohol, sex (porn), the internet, etc. As long as you're being responsible (I would argue it's impossible to do that with drugs since most are from the street and you don't know what's in that shit), you're fine. By responsible, I mean: going to class (if you're in college), going to work (if you're not), not staying up so late you can't function at either, not blowing off other obligations, going outside every once in a while, getting some sort of physical exercise to compensate, not spending every cent you make on it, etc. If you meet that criteria, you're fine. I always feel an itch to play something when I have other obligations, but I just say "later" and do it when I get the time. Fortunately for me, I'm hyperproductive and always do 2 things at once, so actually other responsibilities help me keep from getting bored with video games.

Anything can become an addiction if you let it.

Urges and impulses are natural, just as long as you have the ability to control them. You and I talked about fasting before, and I think it's a pretty good measuring stick for self control.

ehhh, I don't see fasting as self-control, I see it as reckless endangerment of your body. You should never go without eating unless you have no other choice (stranded on an island). That said, most people I see eat way too fucking much ("WHY AM I FAT! I DON'T GET IT!" now you know) and could benefit from less food, but not stopping altogether. Giving up alcohol or cigarettes to prove you can do it is one thing, potentially causing irreparable harm to your organs is another.

[Luke]

Anything can become an addiction if you let it.

Urges and impulses are natural, just as long as you have the ability to control them. You and I talked about fasting before, and I think it's a pretty good measuring stick for self control.

ehhh, I don't see fasting as self-control, I see it as reckless endangerment of your body. You should never go without eating unless you have no other choice (stranded on an island). That said, most people I see eat way too fucking much ("WHY AM I FAT! I DON'T GET IT!" now you know) and could benefit from less food, but not stopping altogether. Giving up alcohol or cigarettes to prove you can do it is one thing, potentially causing irreparable harm to your organs is another.

I've been going on a water only fast around three times each year, for around a decade now. On each fast, I don't eat, usually for 10-21 days. I've only found health benefits from fasting.

Now, it is obvious we have different opinions on fasting, but I don't understand how you can't see that not eating for three weeks is not a form of self control. I've never had a doctor tell me that my way of fasting would cause any irreparable damage to my body. Is my fasting considered extreme? Definitely. Is it unhealthy? Debatable. But I always feel healthier, in more ways than one, after fasting.

Plus, when you know you can give up food for three weeks, you have the mindset that you can give up anything, short of breathing.

[aeon]

^ Agreed.

Besides physical fasting, you should try a 'Media Fast'. I have done these from time to time (prompting from my wife) and it is extremely revealing on how tied down we are to digital entertainment. Just give yourself a goal (say, no games for 1 week) and see how you feel. I guarantee that is will be easier to say no to gaming after the fast. You especially notice life quite a bit differently as well as your brain conforms to different methods of entertainment.