Addicting Games: Innocent Fun or Actually Addictive?
Author:
Jonathan
Published:
Aug 5, 2024
,
05:05 p.m.
ET
Updated:
Sep 16, 2024
,
02:27 p.m.
ET
Addicting Games is a website that provides the "most addicting games." They have various games in categories such as adventure, arcade, arena, card, casino, educational, political, racer, shooter, and strategy. The benefit of this website is that users can play the most popular online games without downloading an app or dealing with pop-ups.
These games are available to play on mobile or desktop devices. Most of them are free to play. Addicting Games also offers multiplayer games, which can be played with friends and family. This website attracts 10 million users monthly. The average user spends 15 minutes playing on the website.
Addicting Games exploded in popularity due to the accessibility of these games. Online games seem like innocent fun at first. But they can quickly turn into a gaming addiction. Learn the warning signs and treatment options for this behavioral addiction.
What are “addicting games” and flash games?
Addicting Games offers a large library of popular games, such as Bubble Spinner, Impossible Quiz, and Mahjong. They currently have 1,500 games available to play on their website. Most of the games are known as flash games, which are browser games that are played with an internet connection. Most of these games are free and include single-player and multiplayer options.
They're called Addicting Games because they use a combination of rewards and social interaction as a means of escape. Online games are a great way to relieve stress and forget about one's problems. However, they can also cause gaming addiction when the user relies on these games to escape their everyday problems.
What is Gaming Addiction?
Gaming addiction refers to an uncontrollable desire to play games to the point where it can impact one's life. The DSM-5 refers to this addiction as an internet gaming disorder. This serious disorder can harm daily responsibilities, social relationships, occupations, and personal lives. There are currently 1.17 billion online players around the world.
However, only a small percentage develop a gaming addiction. The condition can affect anyone who plays games on mobile or desktop devices. But it can impact individuals who mostly play games on the internet. Regardless, any activity that consumes and impacts one's life can cause psychological, social, and physical health issues.
Are Addicting Games actually addictive?
Some researchers have found that online games can become addictive. The response to the behavior is similar to other behavioral addictions like gambling addiction or substance abuse. It's not just the website Addictive Games itself that can be addicting.
Online games in general can trigger the release of dopamine, which benefits the brain's reward system. This creates a neurological reaction that makes users remember the feelings they had while playing these games. The more they play the game, the more dopamine is released, and the more likely they are to chase those rewards.
Signs of gaming addiction
Gaming addiction can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. However, most adults and males are more likely to suffer from this condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Researchers found that gaming addiction can affect 1.7% to 10% of Americans. Warning signs of this condition include the following:
Decreased interest in other activities or hobbies
Decline in hygiene
Using online gaming to avoid conflicts, stress, and responsibilities at home, work, or school
Lying to friends and family about time spent online playing games
Difficulty concentrating due to compulsive gaming use
Withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, frustration, or irritability
Isolating from friends and family due to excessive gaming
Using online games as a temporary relief from negative thoughts, emotions, and feelings
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, speak to a doctor or licensed mental health professional.
Treatment options for gaming addiction
Gaming addiction is treated similarly to other behavioral addictions. It typically involves a combination of counseling and group therapy. Family or couple counseling can help with understanding the condition and repairing relationships.
If you have another co-occurring mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your healthcare provider could prescribe medications to treat the symptoms of the condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common form of therapy used in treating gaming addiction. It changes the behaviors, thoughts, and patterns that result in compulsive gaming.
There is no cure for gaming addiction. Individuals who undergo treatment will experience treatment. Depending on the severity of the addiction, some individuals might undergo inpatient or outpatient therapy. They will learn how to manage their triggers in a supervised environment.
Virtual treatment is also available for gaming addiction. This type of treatment allows individuals to seek treatment in the comfort of their own home. Birches Health offers virtual treatment for gaming addiction with behavioral specialists who are knowledgeable and licensed in this condition.
Recovery starts with a free and confidential assessment. From there, you will receive a formal diagnosis. You’ll also work with a licensed clinician to recover from your gaming addiction.
Treatment for gaming disorder involves one of the following steps with Birches Health:
You can also email hello@bircheshealth.com to connect with the Birches team right away.
Social media gaming
Social media gaming is another name for social networking gaming. This type of online gaming allows users to interact with one another through social media platforms. This creates a sense of community, where players can connect with like-minded individuals.
Social media games are accessible on gaming consoles, mobile devices, PCs, and portable devices. Examples of social media gaming include Among Us, PlayStation Network, Roblox, and Xbox Live. As technology advances, the future of social media gaming will also evolve.
Some online games offer immersive experiences via augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR). This can change the way that users interact with each other and play online games.
According to one study, increased screen time and addictive behavior were both found in online gaming and social media gaming. However, screen time use is a terrible indicator of compulsive gaming or social media habits. It’s the addictive use of gaming and social media that can have a negative impact on one’s life and mental health.
How to help someone with unhealthy gaming behaviors
Gaming addiction is not an addiction to websites like Addicting Games. It's an addiction to the dopamine hit an individual gets from gaming. The individual chases the thrill by playing more games.
It can be tough to help someone unless they are self-aware of their problem. All you can do is approach this topic sensitively. You can only be supportive and inform your loved one how their habits are affecting your relationship.
According to Family Addiction Specialist, the individual must have the will and desire to change. There are a few things you can do to help someone with an unhealthy gaming habit:
Setting time limits not only with online games but with all devices.
Be mindful of your loved one who's struggling with gaming.
Helping them find healthy ways to cope with their mental health issues, such as mindfulness.
Engaging in hobbies and activities that aren't centered on gaming.
Encourage them with a support system of friends and family.
Sources:
Enthusiast Gaming Acquires Addicting Games, Enters Casual Gaming Market - Enthusiast Gaming
Online Gaming Statistics and Facts: The Definitive Guide (2024)
Symptoms, Mechanisms, and Treatments of Video Game Addiction - PMC
Video Game Addiction: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment
Screen time and addictive use of gaming and social media in relation to health outcomes - PMC
