The addiction of pool

[PoolSharkAllen]

Quite a few posters admit to being addicted to AZB and to playing pool. I thought the following article on the addictiveness of video games might be of interest as I suspect that the addictiveness of video games might be similar to the addictiveness of playing pool.

If one can extrapolate from the following article, an addiction to playing pool could be designated a "mental illness."

Doctors want more study on overuse of video games
Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:06pm ET135

By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO, June 27 (Reuters)- The American Medical Association called for more research into the public health risks of video and Internet games on Wednesday but stopped short of declaring them addictive.

The AMA, which recommended a review of the current video game rating system, also said it would leave it up the American Psychiatric Association and other experts to decide whether video game addiction should be designated a mental illness.

"While more study is needed on the addictive potential of video games, the AMA remains concerned about the behavioral, health and societal effects of video game and Internet overuse," said AMA president Dr. Ronald Davis.

The AMA's debate over video game addiction at the group's annual meeting touched a nerve among doctors, who are not sure what to tell patients and worried parents.

"To the extent that a game is controlling someone's behaviors and taking over their daily life, then you are talking about a compulsive use, whether you categorize it in a psychiatric manual or not," Davis told reporters at a news briefing.

 

[nineballman]

There are many more people in this society who go to work to avoid their family problems than are addicted to pool. I'm addicted, but I put my family first and work (only because I must make a living right now), otherwise, I'm playing. Don't have any plans to change that again.

Plus, I don't think pool has the negative side effects that video games do with some people.

Pool has had many positive effects on my life. Helps me to keep using my mind, learning, staying in shape....the list goes on.

Added: I play video games too, so I wasn't bashing them!

 

[worriedbeef]

in one sense you can call more or less anything we enjoy doing an addiction. the only time it actually becomes important is when it starts to have a detrimental effect on you or others around you.

maybe this is a bit of a vague link but i'll put it forward anyway, it just occured to me. the only similarity between pool and computer games is the fact that they're both great things with an overall bad reputation because of mass ignorance. pool as we know is a wonderful godlike game which to many people is just dismissed as something you entertain yourself with while you have a beer. or the inferior game with the the huge pockets here in england. or something the lowlives do in the backalleys taking drugs and gambling.

computer games are the same. it's an absolutely wonderful medium when used to it's full potential, mostly on the pc. trouble is for a variety of reasons, not least of which the cost, pc gaming is a minority hobby and to 99% of the public it's just all about the playstation and the xbox and playing mindless zombie games with 18 certificates. we don't say films are no good and cite jackass as an example do we? so it's a shame the medium as a whole of computer games is dismissed because of the mainstream crap.

went on a bit here but it's something that bothers me about two of my biggest passions.

 

[wseyller]

I think attention needs to be aim towards many other addictions besides pool. Like the fact the US is the fattest nation in the world because people are addicted to eating at McDonalds everyday. People's unheathly lifestyles are getting worse as time goes by.

 

[I rack balls]

I can't seem to stop playing, I won't until I die. Man when AZ went down for the last two days(for me not sure bout you all) it was like my hot ass girlfriend was away at some beach or something haha.

Eric.

 

[Methodman201]

I'm Addicted alright. The other day when AZ went down, I Lost it!
On my 16th try, I realized that I have a problem . I flipped out, DT's and everthing. Diden't even sleep last night!

I even get on at school for at least Two hours each day It's even worse with pool. Always Scratching and Chalk everywhere!!

Dr.Phil, I need help.
-Vincent

 

[Bastian]

I ~almost~ wrote an app to check the site every minute then page me when it came back up.. if it wasn't up by this morning I was going to do just that, in order to avoid the letdown from clicking and getting nowhere.

Now THAT's a mental illness! LOL!

 

[DaveK]

By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO, June 27 (Reuters)- The American Medical Association called for more research into the public health risks of video and Internet games on Wednesday but stopped short of declaring them addictive.

<some bla bla bla editted out because is not needed for my snide comments>

I'm thinking that they should study video and Internet games on Thursday. Wednesday is typically league nights around here, and it would not go over well if those who played on Wednesday were declared addicts. Some are mind you, it's just that they may get a bit annoyed to be labeled as such.

Dave, addicted to life in general, in which pool plays it's part

 

[Ky Boy]

The difference between pool and video games is the human contact. I consider pool an education. I have been in sales most of my career. My ability to talk to people and know what they want/thinking has been enhanced by being a pool player.

 

[150shot]

The difference between pool and video games is the human contact. I consider pool an education. I have been in sales most of my career. My ability to talk to people and know what they want/thinking has been enhanced by being a pool player.

WOW. Same goes for me. I have very strong social skills and have used it throughout my career...also the addiction applies to any "sport" that one gets into...we play pool all the time, and just like any other pro sport, MAJOR time is spent in trying to better yourself. I go through phases but hopefully here to stay this time!