Online and Gaming Addiction in Adolescents and Young Adults

By Curtis Reed

Online and gaming addiction has increased dramatically in the United States, mostly in teens and young adults. Gaming stimulates the brain's "reward centers" which stimulates the same high a drug addict or alcoholic feels. While most people associate addiction with substances, such as drugs or alcohol, doctors recognize online gaming addictive behaviors as well.

Troubled teens and troubled young adults who are addicted to the internet and gaming encounter situations in which they have to choose whether to interact with the real world or continue living in their virtual one. Sadly, the real world rarely wins. Social consequences are a very real part of online and gaming addictions. These struggling teens and young adults spend so much time online and/or playing video games that their personal relationships are neglected and sometimes disappear altogether.

Physical Consequences of Online and Gaming Addictions

Physical consequences of online and gaming addictions include carpal tunnel, migraines, sleep disturbances, backaches, eating irregularities, and poor personal hygiene. These physical consequences will occur in varying degrees from one online and/or gaming addict to another. The severity of the physical consequences is often tied to the severity of the addiction, but this is not always the case. A troubled teen or young adult that is struggling with an online and/or gaming addiction and is already in poor physical condition will be more susceptible to these physical consequences of their addiction early on.