I Can Stop Anytime I Want To

Hi, my name is Becky and I’m addicted to Candy Crush (specifically the Soda Crush edition).  I’ve been Soda Crush free for . . . um 7 . . . no ummmm . . . 5 . . . errr . . . ahhh . . .  3 hours . . . ummm . . . minutes.  So what’s wrong with that?  I can stop anytime I want to.

Today there is no shortage of media that can monopolize our time.  Between TV, movies, Twitter, Facbook, Instagram, and online games we could pretty much never cast our gaze at anything but an electronic device.  Apparently there are lots of opinions out there regarding if these activities are truly addictive.  And while internet addiction is not currently listed in the DSM there are apparently some tentative names out there for these kinds of disorders.(Wikipedia):

• Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)
• Problematic Internet Use (PIU)
• Compulsive Internet Use (CIU)

Foremost among these time-wasting evils (for me) is Candy Crush.  Here is a brief look at the science behind why I may play Candy Crush excessively (The Guardian):

• When we win by completing levels, our brain releases the neurochemical dopamine – reinforcing our actions.
• As the levels get more difficult, the wins (and those bursts of dopamine) become less frequent … we lose more often than we win and we never know when the next success will be. This actually makes us want to play more than if we won all the time.
• There is a time limit on how much you can play.  After five losses you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can play again. It’s human nature, you always want more of something you can’t have.

Now, I’m not saying I totally buy into the Candy Crush addiction thing.  However, I admit, I have several rationalizations that run through my head when I want to keep playing even though I should step away:

1. It’s comforting to hear George Takei say “Sodalicious”. OK, so it isn’t George Takei, but it really does sound like him.
2. The colors are so pretty!
3. I can watch TV and do this at the same time so it’s like I’m only half addicted to it.
4. I have yet to soil myself while playing the game (not kidding . . . look it up)
5. I can stop anytime I want 🙂

So, as I consider the above list, it is possible I could work a little harder to get the “candy off my back”.  Perhaps this isn’t great game play but a cry for help.