On Online Backgammon And Gaming Addiction

Thanks to the New York Times for its article (free reg. req.) discussing game addiction as it relates to playing backgammon online. The author, who found "a deep, narcotic satisfaction in online backgammon" at sites such as Itsyourturn.com and DailyGammon, tries to discuss what gaming addiction is, and whether it's healthy. Dr. Eric Hollander, the director of the Compulsive, Impulsive, and Anxiety Disorders Program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, argues with regard to this addiction: "Everyone has their own optimal level of arousal... If you're understimulated, you're bored, and if you are overstimulated, you're uncomfortable. This is a way of regulating that process." [However, Dr.Hollander did also say "I recently got a BlackBerry, and I have this compulsive e-mail checking [habit] now."] Can you relate these 'casual game' addictions to more often discussed MMO addiction, and if not, how do they differ?

Comments

Re:Whether it's healthy?

[Anonymous Coward]

In order for a behavior to be labled "addiction" as per the DSM IV, it must include harmful or maladaptive behavior.

If it isn't harmful, it isn't an addiction. And before you flame this down remember that the word addiction itself is a pretty diluted term at this point (I am addicted to chocolate!), but the techincal term addiction means something very specific.

Re:Been there, done that

[arcanumas]

I am here to destroy your life. :)
You can play for _free_ at fibs.org
kbackgammon has a fibs backend, and there are Java and native Windows clients (like BBGT)
There are some pretty good players over there.