It shouldn’t be too difficult to imagine that an activity we like so much can get us hooked. Admittedly, it’s a comparatively better addiction to have than drugs or alcohol, but just like any other form of addiction, being addicted to video games can interfere with our personal and social life. It can lead to negative consequences if the signs are not noticed in time and counteracted effectively. To do that, knowing the signs themselves is the first step and the following should help with that.
Gaming Hours are Eating into Sleeping Hours
We all lead busy lives, so sleep is scarce as it is. If a gamer can observe himself/herself or anyone around them sacrificing sleep to play more, it can be considered as one of the first signs of video gaming addiction. It will cause health complications down the line and a sense of tiredness will pervade throughout the day.
Migraines
Most of us have to stare at computer screens during work hours anyway, then there are smartphones to cover the rest of our waking hours. If we manage to add long sessions of intensive gaming to the mix as well, migraines are almost unavoidable. Frequent migraines, especially on days when you game heavily, is an assured sign that you are playing more than you should.
Social Isolation
Right now, those addicted to games will find it easy to stay safe and socially isolated, which is can be quite useful! Given that video game addiction is directly linked to active social avoidance and isolation at home, there is no doubt it’s a sign of gaming addiction. That being said, one cannot call it a bad habit amidst the ongoing pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns that are in place indefinitely. Under normal circumstances though, excessive gaming can turn people into social hermits.
Poor Personal Hygiene
Unlike the sign just mentioned, this is one of the main issues of video game addiction, which doesn’t help gamers stay healthy, especially right now. Microbes enter our systems when we don’t wash our hands regularly, take timely baths, change clothes regularly, and clean our homes thoroughly. If a gamer is found to be ignoring all or most of these duties, just so that they can devote more time to their favourite games, they are addicted, and severely so.
Registering with GamStop
If someone has already signed up with GamStop, it is a clear sign that they were getting addicted to online casino games. It’s a free service designed to prevent British gamers from overspending their time and money on gambling sites. The service achieves this by barring users from accessing most online casinos and betting sites in the UK, except the few gambling platforms not covered by GamStop.
If, however, you feel that you panicked, acted too early, and misjudged your eagerness to play as an addiction, consider these gambling platforms not covered by GamStop. The list is carefully prepared by The Best Casinos to mention only establishments that GamStop cannot prevent a user from accessing, even if they have already registered with them. The thing is, in order for GamStop to prevent a registered user from playing in a particular online casino, the casino itself must also be registered with the service. Therefore, gambling platforms not covered by GamStop are also the ones that never registered with the service to begin with.
Heavy Spending on In-App Purchases
Modern smartphone and tablet games are designed to create video game addiction in children and adults. Unlike how it used to be in the old days when you paid once, nearly all mobile games now follow the free to play and pay to win business model. The easy initial levels get players hooked and then the game begins to get gradually harder before a point comes where the player just can’t win without paying. If someone is observed spending significant sums of money on in-game items, they are dangerously addicted. It’s like gambling, but without even the hope of ever winning back your money.
If any of these signs are noticed, the need to cut down on game time is immediate, before things get out of control. Timely intervention can even prevent the addiction from forming in the first place, both in the case of adults and children.