Like any other form of addiction, similar patterns will emerge in a video game addict’s
behavior (Sammis, 2008). They're drawn in by the initial feelings of exhilaration or solitude that
are provided by the video game. As their time spent playing increases, the addict's willingness to
engage in activities other than their addiction decreases. One of the key factors in any addiction
is the ever-escalating proportion of an individual's life spent in pursuit of the addiction, to the
point to which they will eschew all other things in life. As would be expected, this often leads to
problems with finances, health, and interpersonal relations that are so severe the individual may
abandon attempting to reconcile the issues. In fact, the reality of the situation is that the problems
caused by video game addiction are severe enough that a few misguided individuals have turned
to suicide, believing it to be the only option left available to them (Addicted: Suicide Over
Everquest?, 2002).