Games aren't addictive by themselves - only in fringe cases like your friend. And used as a coping mechanism, it's perhaps the least health-detrimental option (

Games aren't addictive by themselves - only in fringe cases like your friend. And used as a coping mechanism, it's perhaps the least health-detrimental option (compared to alcohol, drugs, cutting yourself, just sitting there doing nothing and enjoying the feel of starving to death..), plus with multiplayer games you get to interact with other, normal, healthy people. Mental illness is scary.