Most of us have been there: you plan to play just a few rounds of a game, and the next thing you know, hours have flown by. But for some people, gaming can become more than a fun way to unwind—it can turn into an addiction that affects every part of their life.
Meet Tomer Shaked, an 18-year-old from Florida who got into video games at only age nine. What started as a weekend hobby slowly took over his life. By the time he was twelve, gaming was all he thought about. He began lying to his parents about his screen time, which strained their relationship, and eventually, he lost interest in everything but gaming.
Studies show that 5-6% of gamers—about 130-160 million people worldwide—struggle with video game addiction. That’s a huge number, but the impact of addiction goes deeper than stats. Addiction to gaming shares similar brain mechanisms with substance addiction. The key player here is dopamine, the chemical that gives us feelings of pleasure and reward. Over time, gaming overloads this system, making other activities seem dull in comparison.
Signs that gaming may have turned into an addiction include:
- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy.
- Avoiding social outings or skipping meals to keep playing.
- Ignoring hygiene or other responsibilities.
- Falling behind on school or work.
Tomer Shaked later luckily recognized that he’d lost part of himself to the virtual world and decided to make a change. He now fills his life with activities like sports, volunteering, and working toward his career goals. If you feel like gaming is getting in the way of your life, remember: you’re not alone, and support is available. Therapists specializing in gaming addiction can help with strategies for balancing gaming with real-life activities, so you can take back control and enjoy a healthy, balanced life.
Don’t let your controller control you! Reach out if you think gaming is taking over—you deserve a life full of real-life victories.
Lilla Harsányi
