Addiction
The Internet is a dangerous place for those of us prone to addiction.
We know who we are. We’re the ones who sit up late into the early morning hours watching West Coast baseball games to see how our fantasy team is doing. We’re the ones casinos love to see, because we don’t know when to quit, and never ever quit when we’re ahead. We’re the ones who come into work bleary-eyed after spending the previous evening playing around with the latest computer game.
Thankfully, my addictions are relatively harmless. I’ve long since abandoned having to keep an eye on those late baseball games (although I generally do check scores first thing in the morning), and I steer clear of casinos.
That game stuff, though? There’s my weakness.
I was recently imploring a co-worker, who’s also a friend on Facebook, to accept my invitation to join an online game called “Mob Wars.” In “Mob Wars,” you’re a gangster trying to build an empire by doing various illegal things. It’s kind of like “Grand Theft Auto,” only without carpal tunnel syndrome.
The best thing for my co-worker? He didn’t have to do anything else — just join and be attached to me.
A week or so after he joined, he e-mailed and asked how it was going for me in the game. I gave him a few details, and he responded with one of the most profound comments ever about gaming:
“It’s all about the levels.”
He knew first-hand, because he’s addicted to “World of Warfare.”
We discussed our addictions in front of a reporter, who is interested in pursuing the health issues about this kind of stuff. It CAN be harmful, just like it can be a pleasant diversion.
If you’re willing to be contacted for a story about gaming addictions and are willing to share your experiences, contact our health reporter Annie Getsinger via e-mail.
And if you just want to share an experience anonymously, or make fun of the addicts in your life, feel free to chip in below.