Understanding and Dealing with Gaming Problems

Posted by Stropp on December 4, 2006

I’ve just been reading a great article on understanding and dealing with gaming problems on The Daedalus Project. The article is here and is an interview with a family therapist who has been working in the area of addiction since the early nineties. This is more interesting because this therapist does play MMOs herself.

Now while I believe that much of what we hear and read in the traditional media about gaming addiction is hyped up in order to sell newspapers and get TV ratings, and which much is just bare-faced lies sold to a gullible readership. I also believe that there are people out there who do have problems with addiction to games like World of Warcraft. I’m also a strong believer in the responsibility of the individual who is playing these games, and in the social and familial network that exists around the player.

I won’t reproduce the article here, read it though it’s worth it, but I will reproduce the summary of things to do if you know a gamer with an addiction to World of Warcraft, or any other game for that matter. These points are good to know.

Things to do:

With a child:

• Set clear limits regarding computer use and enforce them. Internet use is a privilege not a right.
• Be a good role model in living an active and balanced lifestyle.
• Build a positive and loving relationship enjoying a variety of activities together, as much as it’s in your power to do so.

With an adult:

• Communicate in a caring and constructive way about your concerns
  and sense of loss or disappointment. Do this as long as the individual
  is willing to interact with you in a positive manner.
• Make specific requests (“It would make me very happy if we
  could spend three evenings together and at least one day on the
  weekend”).
• Allow natural and logical consequences to occur for irresponsible behavior.
• Take care of your own needs for social and emotional support; find recreational activities that make you happy.
• Encourage consultation with a professional therapist.
• Realize that ultimately you cannot control another person and
  in the process of detachment a sense of loss occurs. Find support for
  yourself.

Things not to do:

• Don’t be a broken record – venting anger and nagging doesn’t help.
  You can state your feelings without communicating in a rageful way.
• Don’t pay for a problem gamer’s broadband connection (or other bills) yourself.
• Don’t pay monthly game subscription fees for a problem gamer.
• Don’t do anything that makes it easier for her/him to maintain an irresponsible lifestyle.
• Don’t threaten to leave unless you are serious. Be very clear about what your needs are.

I hope that no-one you know or are close to is in this situation, but if you do know someone who has a problem with WoW, I hope this article helps.

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