Compulsive Gaming Is Rarely Addiction, Says Euro-Rehab Founder
A treatment center arguing that addiction is over-diagnosed is about as common as a television salesman telling you that TV can rot your brain. But, that is exactly what compulsive gaming counselor Keith Bakker is arguing, the BBC reports.
The founder and head of Amsterdam's Smith & Jones Centre, Europe's only rehab for gaming addicts, Bakker believes that, in most often, the cause for compulsive gaming is of a social, rather than chemical, nature.
"[The] more we work with these kid, the less I believe we can call this addiction," he told the BBC, adding, "what many of these kids need is their parents and their school teachers." This development follows last year's American Medical Association conclusion that gaming is not, in fact, addictive and China's recent conclusion to the contrary.
While he is quick to point out that traditional addiction treatment methods are well suited, and successful, for compulsive gamers also struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, he believes that these types make up only 10% of what could be called 'problem gamers.' The gamers that comprise the other 90% need social guidance in lieu of a recovery program, he has concluded.
In Bakker's estimation, most of these patients are simply plagued with frustration and loneliness, finding both catharsis and acceptance in violent online games. He believes that, if parents and teachers were more communicative with these troubled folks, treatment centers like Smith & Jones could close their doors. [From: BBC]
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