Everquest Addicts

Everquest Addicts – Online Gaming: A New Kind of Addiction

While Everquest and other online video games aren’t physically addictive drugs, some people think that Everquest can promote many of the same negative behaviors that drug addiction inspires. Everquest is an online video game involving treasure hunts, clues, and countless characters, played out by people all over the world. Many feel the game does such a good job of drawing people in that it becomes highly addictive, bringing players to shut out all other real world issues.

Back in 2002, one mother went so far as to blame Everquest for her son’s suicide. In fact this suicide victim was playing just minutes before he shot himself. Whether the suicide was game based, or other issue based, is of course, up for debate,, but his mother blamed the game. In one article she was quoted as saying, "It's like any other addiction. Either you die, go insane or you quit. My son died."

To get an excellent background look at Everquest addicts visit the CNET article, When games stop being fun. CNET found countless people willing to talk candidly about their addiction to online gaming. The article covers people who have lost jobs, marriages, mates, and friendships over the game. One woman was candid enough to tell CNET, "I think of quitting all the time… I'm sure there are a lot of [life] departments I'm lacking in now, like I don't pay as much attention to my kids as I should."

If this CNET article above can’t convince you that Everquest and other online games have the ability to become far too addictive, than nothing will. Another excellent article regarding the dangers of online gaming and other activities discusses how one woman lost her children because of her addiction.

Online Gaming Addiction Signs

Online gaming support groups have popped up on college campuses, online, and in high schools. All these groups have a common goal of helping individuals who have issues with Everquest or another online video game addiction.

All these support groups agree that anyone of any gender, race, or age can become addicted. They also agree that there are some common online gaming addiction signs to watch for.

• Using the computer as stress relief – all the time, not simply once in a while.
• Feeling angry, depressed, anxious, or out of control, when not able to be online.
• Being online for massive amounts of time. For example, spending more time online playing than anywhere else.
• Losing large amounts of time while online. Such as wondering, “Where did the last eight hours go?”
• Use that negatively affects normal life responsibilities, objectives and goals. This means that one or more of the following areas is suffering due to online gaming: employment, relationships, school work, parenting skills, household tasks, hygiene, or any other basic life responsibilities.
• Making promises to family member to quit, but not really quitting.
• compulsive lying about the amount of time spent online.
• Not caring about the risk posed to work or relationships.
• Repeated instances of trying to cut down on computer time and failing to do so.

Physical symptoms of an online gaming addiction may include wrist stress injury, strained or dry eyes, headaches, loss of sleep, and muscle aches in legs and back. Additionally, Everquest addicts may show some of the same signs as someone with a computer addiction or online gambling addiction.

Questions That Possible Everquest Addicts Can Ask Themselves

In addition to the above signs there are also some good extra questions that only someone involved in game play can answer.

1. Do you want to stop but can’t stop playing online games?
2. Is gaming taking away your feeling of normalcy?
3. Do you often think people should mind their own business and quit telling you to quit?
4. Have people suggested that you may have an addiction to gaming?
5. Have you ever switch schedules of game play –hoping that it will help you play less?
6. Do you usually have to play first thing in the morning to wake up, and, or last thing at night to get to sleep?
7. Do you feel jealous of people who seem to be able to stop playing when they want?
8. Have you told yourself often that you can stop playing at anytime? Do you think the only reason you play is because you want to?

If you answer yes to even a few of the questions above you may be addicted to online gaming or Everquest.

Support for Gaming Addiction

There is support available for online gaming and Everquest addicts. You can discuss the issue with your doctor, family, and friends. You can also try the following resources:

• Everquest Addiction
• Daily Strength Video Game Addiction Support Group
• Everquest Daily Grind – a blog written by individuals recovering from Everquest addiction.
• On-Line Gamers Anonymous