I know that we get addiction (drugs, alcohol, video games etc) because our brain gives out dopamine when we participate in those behaviours an all. But, for example, I could like something (eg. painting) which would give out dopamine to my brain but still not be addicted to it. My question is then, what causes us from liking something to it turning into an addiction? Like I could like video games and still not be addicted to it. It still gives out dopamine but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be addicted to it. What are the necessary factors for turning something we like to becoming addicted to it? It is maybe, the amount of dopamine it gives, or is it how quickly we feel the dopamine?
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Not an authority but:It’s not just about dopamine. There are lots of factors that can influence how your body begins to have dependencies.
Using caffeine as an example (I have a caffeine dependency), prolonged intake of a substance can alter the chemistry in your body and your brain, after so long with repeated exposure, your brain reaches an equilibrium with the presence of the drug, and then when that drug is taken away you can develop withdrawl symptoms from the imbalance caused from the now absence of that drug.
Withdrawl can be extremely painful, and sometimes with extreme addiction the symptoms can be fatal.
When it comes to video games. I think it’s more complicated, but I think it’s more a question of habit, you develop a habit and deviation from the habit can cause stress and anxiety depending on the person. It’s the same with people going to the gym regularly can feel stressed if they haven’t been for a while because it’s what they usually do. This is more in the realm of developing personality disorders than chemical dependency.
Behaviours and habits are more psychology than drugs and alcohol which are more biology and body chemistry.
Put more simply. Drugs change your body to need more drugs, when you take more drugs you need more drugs. Removing the drugs hurts.
Playing games makes you happy, not playing games does not make you happy. Removing games can be stressful but not harmful.
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