Should online game addictions be treated on the same level as drugs/etc.?

No. World of Warcraft isn't as unhealthy as drugs.

	Aphex -  1559 pts -  (2 years ago)
	Is it really? I mean some people can have it occupy most of their time, instead of showering, hanging out with friends, working and the result can be pretty sad.

I really like world of was craft!! I played that my senior year in 2005 and beat the game. But uh...back to the question...I so agree w/this cause im sooooo adicted to texas holdem its not evn funny!! I guess i could say right now it is a drug for me.

I don't think they should be treated the same. Drugs are very unhealthy and need a lot more attention in breaking the addiction. Anyone came break their game addiction. Games get old, drugs tend not to get old.

Not that psychological addictions aren't important to remediate, but physical addictions such as drugs seem more problematic and life threatening. So I would hesitantly answer no.

I say yes. My ex has been playing WoW for the last two years and he has lost every friend because of never leaving his game. He also is now dropping out of college his senior year so he has more playing time. I'm not saying all people who play this game are addicted. A few of my friends play every once in a while and still maintain lives outside that game. But imo, drug and game addictions are all about will power. If you want and need to quit, you will find a way to do so.

No, but in severe cases like what pandabear is talking about, some kind of action should be taken.

	peacekeeper23 -  526 pts -  (2 years ago)
	I agree.

Not legally, no, but people close to the person should step in and try to get them to stop..... Same way sex addiction is not illegal and there is no rehab for it like there are for drugs, but there are methods of personal intervention and ways of getting them to stop without having it be a legal issue or an issue that requires actual rehab. Counseling may also help, as it does for sex addicts...

Yes.

	Kenbo -  6965 pts -  (2 years ago)
	Could you please elaborate.

Fermat -  576 pts -  (2 years ago)

Well, people can get addicted to anything really (generally speaking). I consider gaming to go into the same general category of gambling as it provides the user with a variable-ratio scale of positive reinforcement (such as completing quests, getting rewards, etc). Thus, it can become a real addiction. It is harmful, but in a different way than drugs. Drugs cause direct biological harm to the body while a gaming addiction creates more subtle biological harm, from skipping meals, minimal sleep and exercise, avoiding bathroom breaks, as well as social isolation.