Really? Please link to a study that proves or at least gives indication that gaming addiction (chemical) and not gaming compulsion (psychological) exist. I would very much like to read it.

Nirth, are you sure that the word "addiction" only includes drug/alcohol abuse? Sounds a bit limited. In wikipedia, it lists " exercise addiction, food addiction, gambling addiction, and sexual addiction" as examples of addiction.

Also, psychologytoday.com says "Addiction is not limited to biochemical substances such as cocaine, alcohol, inhalants, or nicotine. It is increasingly possible for people to experience so-called behavioral addictions"

Yes but what seems common with all of those that you mentioned is a chemical reaction in the brain e.g a brain scanner would pick up "the fix" when an abuser takes his or hers. I'm not sure if there's been any development in the ability to pick up a psychological reaction with mechanical instriments but based upon what I've read earlier there has not been any, you would need a psychologist or therapist to determine if a someone has obsessive-compulsion disorder.

Interesting, I didn't know that. So what's the difference between compulsion disorder and a behavioral addiction?

What bugs me are scientific illiterates who would rather "believe" whatever is spouted off in the media over truly established science. I think I made my point. This is a broad-based small-sample sized study who's goal appears to be to "get results they can publish". Do you think stimulants are not a thing for staying up all night long gaming? Might these stimulants be the cause of any brain chemistry changes independent of "gaming"? Did this study control for this? Does the control group use these stimulants at the same rate as the "addictive" group?

I think you are demeaning my comments by proclaiming I'm "just playing it down". Maybe you ought to provide facts on your side rather than just "feelz".

George Orwell: That article is definitely PR. Most people are more interested digested tidbits that will help them understand slightly more about the world and then leave it. Otherwise scientific journals would be very popular and I doubt that has changed (excluding people who need them for practical reasons).

I agree though with your remarks about statistics. Statistics as a science is brilliant but it's equally so as a tool to push an agenda.

I personally think anything can be addictive. As long as you enjoyed it.
Be it in working out, gaming, whoring for an upvote on imgur.. and so on.

The addiction is probably more psychologically rather then chemically.

Statistics are a tool to properly quantify observations. Used responsibly and correctly, they help provide the insight into the world that is science. Used irresponsibly, they mislead.

To me, the big warning sign about studies like this is how they have a very apparent agenda. Clearly, this study was developed hoping to find a problem with overuse of video games. When one goes into a study with a goal like this, it makes one question the objectivity of the readings as well.

I got no idea - just did a quick google. By the way, happy christmas!