Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Gaming linked to substance abuse in some adolescents
By Staff Writer
A recent study on the health effects of gaming on adolescents has found links between the pastime and potentially addictive behaviors.
The study, which was conducted by researchers from the Yale School of Medicine, surveyed 4,028 adolescents about their gaming habits and any problems associated with the activity, including ones related to their health.
Results from the survey revealed that 51.2 percent of the adolescents played video games. Of these teenagers, 76.3 percent were boys while 29.2 percent were girls. On the whole, gaming was not responsible for negative health consequences among boys, and was associated with lower odds of regular smoking.
However, it was found that girls who played video games were more likely to engage in serious fights and carry a weapon to school.
Researchers also found that 4.9 percent of the teenagers surveyed exhibited symptoms of an addiction to gaming. This behavior included trouble cutting back, an irresistible urge to play and tension that could only be relieved through games. In addition, these problems were linked to regular cigarette smoking, drug use, depression and serious fights in both genders.
Based on these findings, the researchers believe that recreational gaming among boys can be relatively harmless. However, the research indicates that some girls might be gaming for entirely different reasons.
Individuals whose videogame addiction has led to drug use may want to seek substance abuse help.
