Detection and Characterization of Online Substance Use Discussions Among Gamers: Qualitative Retrospective Analysis of Reddit r/StopGaming Data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Video games have rapidly become mainstream in recent decades, with over half of the US population involved in some form of digital gaming. However, concerns regarding the potential harms of excessive, disordered gaming have also risen. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been proposed as a tentative psychiatric disorder that requires further study by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is recognized as a behavioral addiction by the World Health Organization. Substance use among gamers has also become a concern, with caffeinated or energy drinks and prescription stimulants commonly used for performance enhancement.

Objective

This study aimed to identify substance use patterns and health-related concerns among gamers among a population of Reddit users.

SUBMITTER: Le N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11483252 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature