Jonathan Nguyen

Professor Keeperman
Writing 39C
7/28/2015
Preliminary AP Proposal
The current issue in treating video game addiction that arises from the proposed
ministrations of the several doctors I have researched so far is that they fail to address the
different causes and symptoms of the addiction. Many solutions offer methodological approaches
to solving only one version of the illness and neglect the ability to treat another, resulting in a
dis-ubiquitous and incomprehensive solution to the rising epidemic. The analytical problem this
research will attempt to address, therefore, is the impracticality of using patient-specific
ministrations in order to treat video game addictions innumerable catalysts.
According to Martin Kaste, a blogger at npr.org, the psychologist, Hilarie Cash,
implements the 12-step alcohol program as her preferred treatment plan. Cash states that
understanding the underlying issues will cure the problem and notes that people tend to get
hooked by things that are rewarding (Kaste). Another therapist, Joseph Graham from the
University of Central Florida, believes that a 3-stage model of narrative therapy is what is
necessary to the remediation of gaming addiction. Like the focus of Cashs 12-step program,
Grahams 3-step narrative therapy attempts to break the treatment process down into three major
step: deconstructing problem-saturated stories, reauthoring new stories, and making the stories
real. Both treatments strive to scrutinize the root causes of addiction, but approach and resolve
the issue from different perspectives (Graham). The most interesting treatment, however, is not

derived from the foundations of therapeutic treatment, but instead takes root in the form of
medication. Perry F. Renshaw, who analyzes the drug in a scholarly journal discloses that the
drug Buproprion eliminates addiction to video games by decrementing brain activity in the
dorsolateral prefontal cortex. The chemical inductions made by the pill specifically target
pleasure regions in the brain, thereby reducing a patients eagerness to return to the game. While
these two types of solutions, therapeutic and medicinal, are effective to some people, they fail to
encompass all types of gaming addiction. I plan to advocate a solution that provides the steps
needed to effectively treat all varieties of gaming addiction, regardless of the original cause. This
solution relies heavily on a base guideline that urges therapists to follow as the first step in their
treatment and ends with various patient-specific treatments like the programs proposed by Cash
and Graham. Medicinal treatment will also be incorporated, serving as the non-psychological
part of the treatment that detaches the patient from their symptom, video games.
The current issue that is currently being debated among therapists and doctors is the lack
of knowledge pertaining to the treatment of video game addiction. Since the addiction is a recent
phenomenon, data is still being gathered among researchers and the most refined method of
treating has still not be procured. Cam Adair, a victim and expert on video game addiction,
advocates the acceptance of the addict and to treat them warmly with affection. He argues that
video game addicts understand that their addiction exists, but are unable to stay away from it
despite their efforts (Adair). A website named Video Game Addiction, funded by a company that
attempts to aid afflicted persons, takes a more aggressive approach than Adair. It proposes the
physical removal of the addicted person into an extreme environment like the forest or camp,
away from any forms of technology. The company notes that by opening their eyes to reality,
the resolution of the addiction will disintegrate (Video Game Addiction).

I believe that most causes for video game addiction stem from the current situation of a
players life rather than the enjoyability of the video game. Most addictions are known to have a
psychological root within them, with many coming from unhappiness, stress, or pressure. By
tackling these causes like doctors, who prescribe medication for the symptoms and attempt to
treat the catalyst, different treatments can combine to provide a more comprehensive
ministration. The research conducted so far shows evidence that gaming addiction is a
psychological affliction very similar to other addictions. By continuing to research methods not
necessarily used specially in treating video game addiction, but in more well-known addictions
where there is a plethora of data and research, the formation and application of a consistent
treatment can be conducted.