Gamers who become hooked show clear signs of addiction. Like a drug, gamers who play almost every day, play for extended periods of time (over 4 hours), get restless or irritable if they can’t play, and sacrifice other social activities just to game are showing signs of addiction. Common warning signs include:

• A preoccupation with gaming
• Lying or hiding gaming use
• Disobedience at time limits
• Loss of interest in other activities
• Social withdrawal from family and friends
• Psychological withdrawal from the game
• Using gaming as an escape
• Continuing to game despite its consequences

The addiction process begins with a preoccupation with gaming. Gamers will think about the game when offline and often fantasize about playing the game when they should be concentrating on other things. Instead of thinking about the paper that needs to be completed for school, or going to class, or studying at the library, the gamer becomes completely focused on playing the game. Gamers start to miss deadlines, neglect work or social activities as being online and playing the game becomes their main priority. Some gamers spend days and nights online. They don’t eat, sleep, or take a shower because of the game. They lie to family and friends about what they are really doing on the computer. Students tell their parents that they are doing their homework, spouses tell their family that they are using the computer for work, and friends will make up excuses for why they can’t go out – all to find more time to play the game. If you find yourself engaged in any of these behaviors it may be pointing to an addiction.