--- title: "The Affliction of Addiction | Denver Psychiatry Blog" description: "TRUE OR FALSE: A person who is preoccupied with drinking alcohol, downplays or denies the overuse of alcohol, lies about it, demonstrates clear lack of control, consistently suffers negative impact du..." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "MedicalBusiness", "MedicalOrganization", "LocalBusiness" ], "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization", "name": "Denver Psychiatry", "alternateName": "Denver Psychiatry - Dr. Steve Sarche", "description": "Denver Psychiatry is a private psychiatric practice founded by Dr. Steve Sarche in 2004, providing comprehensive mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver metropolitan area.", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/logo.png" }, "image": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/og-image.png", "telephone": "+1-303-393-8808", "faxNumber": "+1-303-399-6069", "email": "drsteve@denverpsychiatry.com", "foundingDate": "2004", "founder": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" }, "priceRange": "$$", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N", "addressLocality": "Denver", "addressRegion": "CO", "postalCode": "80246", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 39.7086, "longitude": -104.9567 }, "areaServed": { "@type": "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 39.7086, "longitude": -104.9567 }, "geoRadius": "50000" }, "medicalSpecialty": [ "Psychiatry", "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry", "Adult Psychiatry" ], "employee": [ { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" } ], "availableService": [ { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Psychiatric Evaluation", "description": "Comprehensive initial evaluation for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Medication Management", "description": "Expert prescription and monitoring of psychiatric medications" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Child & Adolescent Psychiatry", "description": "Age-appropriate psychiatric care for children and adolescents (ages 10+)" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Anxiety Treatment", "description": "Treatment for generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and PTSD" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Depression Treatment", "description": "Comprehensive treatment for major depression and mood disorders" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "ADHD Treatment", "description": "Diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorders in all ages" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "PTSD & Trauma Treatment", "description": "Compassionate, evidence-based care for post-traumatic stress and trauma-related conditions" } ], "openingHoursSpecification": { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "09:00", "closes": "17:00" }, "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "reviewCount": "50" }, "sameAs": [] }, { "@type": [ "Physician", "Person" ], "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician", "name": "Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O.", "alternateName": "Steve Sarche", "description": "Dr. Steve Sarche is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. 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The staff will help you find a convenient time and answer any questions about your first visit." } } ] }, { "@type": "Blog", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#blog", "name": "Denver Psychiatry Mental Health Blog", "description": "Expert insights and articles on mental health topics from Dr. Steve Sarche, board-certified psychiatrist in Denver, Colorado.", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/blog", "author": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "The Affliction of Addiction", "description": "TRUE OR FALSE: A person who is preoccupied with drinking alcohol, downplays or denies the overuse of alcohol, lies about it, demonstrates clear lack of control, consistently suffers negative impact du...", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Steve Sarche", "jobTitle": "Board Certified Psychiatrist" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Denver Psychiatry", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com" }, "datePublished": "2013-11-22T16:46:27+00:00", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/article/the-affliction-of-addiction" } } ] --- [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [](tel:303-393-8808) [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [Home](#home) Services ### Conditions We Treat [ ADHD Treatment Child & adult ADHD specialist care ](/adhd)[ Anxiety Treatment Generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety ](/anxiety-treatment)[ Depression Treatment Major depression, bipolar, mood disorders ](/depression-treatment)[ PTSD & Trauma Treatment Trauma recovery focused on full healing ](/ptsd-trauma-treatment) ### Specialty Care [ Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship-trained, ages 10 and up ](/child-adolescent-psychiatry)[ Performance Optimization Precision psychiatry for high performers ](/performance-optimization)[ Medication Management Expert prescription and monitoring ](#services) #### Talk to Dr. Sarche Call to schedule your initial evaluation [Call Now](tel:303-393-8808) About ### About Us [ Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. 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Learn what to expect at your first visit [Learn More](#services) Contact ### Get In Touch [ Contact Form Send us a message ](#contact)[ Call Us (303) 393-8808 ](tel:303-393-8808)[ Our Location 720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N ](#contact) [Call Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) [Back to Blog](/blog) Child & Adolescent # The Affliction of Addiction Dr. Steve Sarche Board Certified Psychiatrist • Friday, November 22, 2013 • 5 min read Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fthe-affliction-of-addiction)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fthe-affliction-of-addiction&text=The%20Affliction%20of%20Addiction)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fthe-affliction-of-addiction&title=The%20Affliction%20of%20Addiction)[]() TRUE OR FALSE:  A person who is preoccupied with drinking alcohol, downplays or denies the overuse of alcohol, lies about it, demonstrates clear lack of control, consistently suffers negative impact due to drinking, uses alcohol to avoid dealing with problems or feelings, and gets angry when it is suggested that alcohol is a problem, suffers from alcohol addiction. If you answered false, I suggest you immediately start over at the top because you may have misunderstood the question.  If that is not the case, quickly find your nearest AA meeting. Addiction, as opposed to a bad habit, has been proven to have a physiological basis.  This is thought to be the reason many people with a bad habit can quit the harmful behavior without much help while those with addiction cannot.  Physiologically, addiction has been shown to be a decreased response to “normal” reward.  Dopamine, a chemical messenger the body synthesizes, has been implicated in this.  The reward system in the brain of a person prone to addiction is low in Dopamine.  This causes the person to need more of something to feel a “normal” reward response. Additionally, there is decreased ability to feel joy, and have fun in general.  Genetics play a factor in this.  Some people are born to code for less Dopamine in the reward circuitry of the brain.  While it widely agreed that people can be addicted to chemical substances, sex, gambling and food, I am certain that people can be addicted to other things as well. According to the Wikipedia page “Video Game Addiction”, in 1981, British Labour Party MP George Foulkes attempted to ban the game Space Invaders for its “addictive properties” and potential to cause “deviancy”.  This was the first video game to attract “political controversy”. Yes, Wikipedia is not the most reliable or credible source, but that is a cool story any way. The 1990’s is the decade that multiple reports surfaced regarding the concern for video game addiction. While video games have not been proven to cause physiological addiction, I firmly believe that they do.  The following table addresses this point: **Factors that may trigger addiction** **Alcohol or drugs** **Video games** Works fast to feel better, including for anxiety or depression (the effect   is short lived, so more is needed).     yes      yes Works as an escape.     yes      yes Potent and rapid feeling of reward or euphoria that quickly fades   when the stimulus is withdrawn.     yes      yes “Easy” social aspect.     yes      yes Feel much worse when not using.     yes      yes Increases available Dopamine and possible natural opiates.     probably      maybe Having a different persona and living in a “fantasy world”. You could argue yes.      yes Earn “Rewards” such as a new virtual weapon or level to explore.     no      yes The challenge to achieve a high score.     no      yes You can see why greater and greater numbers of kids seem to suffer life impairments due to video game overuse.  Look at the factors that may trigger addiction.  Video games have more properties that can cause addiction than chemical substances.  Teens are more prone to get addicted to drugs or alcohol than adults, probably because they are more prone to addictions in general.  As video games are ubiquitous and legally available to teens it is reasonable to conclude that video game addiction is not only possible but likely more common than other addictions in teens. The American Academy of Pediatrics contends that greater than 2 hours of video game play (all media and screen time included) per day puts kids at risk for physical, cognitive/academic, behavior and social problems.  I believe that children not monitored and limited in screen use face the greatest risk to develop addiction.  Compounding the problem, many of those suffering from addiction also have guilt because they can’t stop and have internal conflict about knowing they need to but not wanting to stop.  The guilt and conflict create deep internal suffering that in children and adolescents often manifest as outward anger towards others, especially care-givers.  It can fill the home with toxic negative energy and stress. In May of 2005, NBC News reported that one in eight gamers develops patterns similar to other types of addiction and abuse.  This is scary.   Addictions need to be addressed quickly.  The sooner they are identified and the younger the person is when action is taken the better. In taking action, a significant problem parents may face is codependency.  An example of this would be in a home where a child is demonstrating characteristics of addiction toward video games.  The child “only feels good” if playing.  Parents want the child to feel good and feel bad if the child is feeling bad so they allow the behavior to continue.  In addition, there may be a pattern of letting the child play to avoid conflict.  Codependency strengthens the tendency toward addiction.  The child never gets the support needed to learn a variety of healthier coping skills. Additionally, the child does not get help for the problem driving the “need” to play video games. When there is a video game or screen-time problem, the solution starts with recognition and accessing professional help.  Ultimately, however, it is at home with what the parents and kids are doing to address it.  It is not in the scope of this article to discuss specific treatments or strategies. The website [www.cmch.tv](http://www.cmch.tv) is packed with more specifics about all of this, and the latest research on it. We want our children to be healthy, happy, socially adept and resilient.  Addiction causes the opposite of all of these things.  This is no game.  Let’s do all we can to protect the bodies and minds of our offspring.  If anything, do it because we will need them to take care of us when we are older. Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fthe-affliction-of-addiction)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fthe-affliction-of-addiction&text=The%20Affliction%20of%20Addiction)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fthe-affliction-of-addiction&title=The%20Affliction%20of%20Addiction)[]() ### Need Help With Your Mental Health? Dr. Steve Sarche provides compassionate psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver area. [Call to Speak With Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) ### Get new articles from Dr. Sarche We'll only email you when Dr. Sarche publishes a new article. Unsubscribe anytime. Subscribe ## Related Articles [ Child & Adolescent ### The Communication Fix Up Communication Fix Up. 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