An interesting article in the New Scientist around addiction, specifically gaming disorder.

“For Ian and others like him, video games feel as addictive as a drug.

In May, the World Health Organization (WHO) reached a similar conclusion, including gaming disorder in its International Classification of Diseases for the first time.

Studies suggest that between 0.3 and 1 per cent of the general population might qualify for a diagnosis.

In the UK, plans are under way to open the first National Health Service-funded internet addiction centre, which will initially focus on gaming disorder.

But some argue that to pathologise problematic gaming as an addiction is a mistake.

In 2017, a group of 24 academics argued against attributing this behaviour to a new disorder.” (Sarner, 2019, p.42).

You can read the full article below.

Reference

Sarner, M. (2019) Is It Really Addiction? New Scientist. 14 September 2019, pp.42-47.