Some video games, such as the popular World of Warcraft (WOW) by Blizzard Entertainment, can tap into addictive properties.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/53038/world_of_warcraft_good_clean_fun_or_pg2_pg2.html?cat=19 WOW is a massive multi-player online game based on a Tolkien-like fantasy world of elves, goblins, dragons, and orcs. WOW has an estimated 11 million gamers.http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/ Addiction to the game may come from it's multi-player competitive nature, the need to do better than others.http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/17694.shtml Also, WOW becomes a social experience, chatting and cooperating with other players, and becomes a replacement for real-life social contact. WOW also features addictive properties like leveling up, a non-stop stream of quests, and never-ending storyline. Players are constantly faced with a game that they have to keep playing because they never feel like they truly win.

That's not to say that WOW is intentionally addictive. It just happens to become addictive for a certain group of gamers. Many gamers that can become addicted to a game like WOW can become addicted to video gaming in general.http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun. It's important to be able to identify an addiction and then take steps to eliminate it.

Video game detox involves removing the game or all games from the environment. Some gamers are addicted to only one game or one type of game, while others have a general video game addiction. Removing a game from the environment means removing any consoles like Wii, Xbox, or Playstation and deleting any game software on the computer. On-line games can also be blocked through the software on a router.

Treating underlying problems to video game addiction is a much more difficult task. It means figuring out why a person may have a need to substitute virtual worlds for the real one. Underlying problems include shyness, social anxiety, self-confidence problems, depression, and health issues. Oftentimes, a person can not diagnose an underlying problem themselves, and should seek the help of family, friends, and professionals.

Sometimes video game addiction starts because real life is uninteresting or boring. A person can add real-life activities to their schedule, which may help drive out the need to spend so many hours gaming.http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/coping-with-video-game-addiction/ The best activities are social ones, spending time with family and friends. For example, join a bowling league, become part of a running group, participate in a community garden, or take cooking classes.

If World of Warcraft has become World of Warcrack or Solitaire has become solitary confinement, you can stop your video game addiction. The real world is out there and it can be more exciting than any game of bits and pixels.

1. The substance or activity has had a significant negative impact at work, at school, with social relationships, and on personal health.
2. Lack of the substance or activity causes withdrawal symptoms: irritability, depression, and/or mood swings

Video game addicts can feel a “high” while playing. Gamers come back to games because they enjoy it and it provides an exciting outlet to an otherwise boring life. Gaming can also be rewarding, such as finding a treasure, leveling up to a new character class, or winning a quest.

Here are the common signs of video game addiction:http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/17694.shtml

1. Excessive playing: 5 hours or more per day
2. Health issues from gaming: Gaining/losing weight, loss of sleep
3. Strained relationships: The time spent gaming severely diminishes human relationships
4. Pervasive thoughts: Even when not gaming, you constantly think about it, and becomes a part of conversation
5. Work or school performance problems: You play at school or work and aren't doing the minimum to succeed.
6. Social avoidance: You shun actual human contact to preferring in-game relationships