Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction (2023)

Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction (1)

Author: Matthew Idle Editor: Alexander Bentley Reviewed: Philippa Gold

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Is my teenager addicted to Red Dead Redemption 2?

Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction is real, and can be extremely destructive. For many people, playing Red Dead Redemption 2 is a hobby, albeit one that can tend to capitalize a extensive amount of time. However, recent developments within the mental health field could mean that there will be even more treatment options available to Red Dead Redemption 2 gaming addicts in the near future.

Even though gaming has been around for almost 50 years, Red Dead Redemption 2 is relatively new and studies about its harms are still in the early stages. Different experts have come to different conclusions about whether problem playing should be called an addiction11.L. Gros, N. Debue, J. Lete and C. V. de Leemput, Frontiers | Video Game Addiction and Emotional States: Possible Confusion Between Pleasure and Happiness?, Frontiers.; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02894/full.

The World Health Organization added “gaming disorder” to the 2018 version of its medical reference book, International Classification of Diseases. But the American Psychiatry Association’s manual, the DSM-5, didn’t go so far, although it is rumored that Videogame addiction, and possibly even Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction may be added in future versions.

The DSM-5 contains a section to help people and doctors recognize the warning signs of problematic video games, including Red Dead Redemption 2, as well as a list of symptoms and treatment options for Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction.

Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction can manifest in different ways for different people, based on their preference of game or other underlying or co-occurring mental health disorders. It is often seen as playing Red Dead Redemption 2, either on a console or online, in excess and generally ignoring other facets of life.

Playing Red Dead Redemption 2 can be a positive experience for most people as there is a large community that you can be a part of if you are a gamer, especially if you are a widely accepted individual. This can be appealing for children and adolescents who are seeking validation or friendship.

In children, Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction can manifest as playing in secret or lying about the amount of time spent gaming. Children can also become irritable or angry while not gaming and may not be as engaged as they typically are in normal life.

Is Red Dead Redemption 2 Made to be Addicting?

When managed appropriately, there really is no harm in playing video games. That said, Red Dead Redemption 2 does have a number of game design features that will cause you to be more at-risk of developing a problem and becoming addicted to playing. Research shows games like Red Dead Redemption 2 are significantly more addictive than other gaming titles.

One of the reasons why this happens is because the amount of time it takes to level up playing Red Dead Redemption 2 increases significantly over time, causing you to have to spend more and more hours to achieve the same experience of “leveling up”.

What is Red Dead Redemption 2?

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a 2018 action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. The game is the third entry in the Red Dead series and a prequel to the 2010 game Red Dead Redemption. The story is set in 1899 and follows the exploits of outlaw Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, in a fictionalized representation of the Western, Midwestern, and Southern United States. Arthur must deal with the decline of the Wild West whilst attempting to survive against government forces, rival gangs, and other adversaries. The game’s epilogue follows fellow gang member John Marston, the protagonist of Red Dead Redemption.

The game is presented through both first and third-person perspectives, and the player may freely roam in its interactive open world. Gameplay elements include shootouts, robberies, hunting, horseback riding, interacting with non-player characters, and maintaining the character’s honor rating through moral choices and deeds. A bounty system similar to the “wanted” system from the Grand Theft Auto franchise governs the response of law enforcement and bounty hunters to crimes committed by the player. Red Dead Online, the game’s online multiplayer mode, lets up to 32 players engage in a variety of cooperative and competitive game modes.

The game’s development lasted over eight years, beginning soon after Red Dead Redemptions release, and it became one of the most expensive video games ever made. Rockstar co-opted all of its studios into one large team to facilitate development. They drew influence from real locations as opposed to film or art, focused on creating an accurate reflection of the time with the game’s characters and world. The game was Rockstar’s first built specifically for eighth generation consoles, having tested their technical capabilities while porting Grand Theft Auto V to the platforms. The game’s soundtrack features an original score composed by Woody Jackson and several vocal tracks produced by Daniel Lanois. Development included a crunch schedule of 100-hour weeks, leading to reports of mandatory and unpaid overtime.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2018, and for Windows and Stadia in November 2019. It broke several records and had the second-biggest launch in the history of entertainment, generating US$725 million in sales from its opening weekend and exceeding the lifetime sales of Red Dead Redemption in two weeks. The game received critical acclaim, with praise directed at its story, characters, open world, graphics, music, and level of detail; some criticism was directed at its control scheme and emphasis on realism over player freedom. It won year-end accolades including Game of the Year awards from several gaming publications, and is considered an example of video games as an art form as well as one of the greatest video games ever made. It is also among the best-selling video games with over 45million copies shipped.

What are the Signs my Teen is Addicted to Red Dead Redemption 2?

Problems with Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction can occur whether you play online or offline, but here is what to look out for with regard to Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction and video games in particular.

If you are a parent who is worried about how much time your child spends playing Red Dead Redemption 2, look at how well they are doing at school and with friends. Good grades and a good relationship with parents are good indicators that playing Red Dead Redemption 2 even extensively has not yet developed into a Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction.

My child is addicted to Red Dead Redemption 2

It can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions about your child’s potential Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction.

Do you feel your child has crossed the line between pleasure in playing Red Dead Redemption 2 and serious things like addiction or depression?

Not everyone who plays a lot of Red Dead Redemption 2 has a problem, and experts say it is harmful to call people who enjoy playing Red Dead Redemption 2 “addicted.” It is estimated that there are up to 1.5 million video game addicts in the US, but experts at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) agree that the percentage of players who meet the proposed criteria for addiction to video games is low.

Signs of Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction in a teenager

The following are signs of Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction

  • Thinking about playing Red Dead Redemption 2 all or a lot of the time.
  • Feeling bad when they can’t play Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Needing to spend more and more time playing Red Dead Redemption 2 to feel good
  • Not being able to quit or even play less Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Not wanting to do other things that they used to like
  • Having problems at work, school, or home because of playing too much Red Dead Redemption 2

Emotional Symptoms of Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction

Some of the emotional signs or symptoms of Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction include:

  • Feelings of restlessness when unable to play Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next Red Dead Redemption 2 session
  • Lying to friends or family members regarding the amount of time spent playing Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Isolation from others in order to spend more time playing Red Dead Redemption 2

Physical Symptoms of Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction

Some of the physical signs or symptoms of Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction include:

  • Tiredness
  • Migraines
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Bad personal hygiene

Getting help for my child’s Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction

Many parents who are concerned about their child’s Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction may first seek advice from family and friends. All to often, especially in the case of Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction such advice is useless. Many parents tend to mitigate and make excuses for their child’s excessive Red Dead Redemption 2 playing.

Parents of Red Dead Redemption 2 addicted children then tend to seek advice from family Doctors or therapists who are untrained in Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction. These people are usually well-meaning, yet they do not understand the intricacies and the addictive triggers that lurk on playing Red Dead Redemption 2.

Many of these well-meaning people may make the wrong diagnosis and rather than diagnose Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction they may diagnose your child with Depression or Anxiety. If a doctor or therapist diagnoses your child with Depression and tries to medicate them it is essential that you get a second opinion from the Worlds Leading Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction experts.

The qualified and licensed therapists you will find at Teencounseling.com are experts in Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction and Gaming addiction generally. Their therapists assist individuals and families from all over the world with Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction. When dealing with process addiction in Young Adults it’s especially important to find the right treatment22.H. Miner, Video game addiction and psychological distress among expatriate adolescents in Saudi Arabia – ScienceDirect, Video game addiction and psychological distress among expatriate adolescents in Saudi Arabia – ScienceDirect.; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853217300457.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction (2)

teen and young adult counseling for Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction

Red Dead Redemption 2 Withdrawal

Many people can think and function better after quitting Red Dead Redemption 2 and gaming in general for some months. The bottom line here is that it takes time for the brain to recover from what excessive game play, chronic sleep deprivation, and social isolation do to it.

Quitting Red Dead Redemption 2 is not easy, and as with all video-games and compulsive internet use watch out for the following Red Dead Redemption 2 withdrawal symptoms:

  • A feeling of emptiness, sadness, and/or loneliness
  • Lack of interest in most of life’s activities, whether work or play
  • Difficulty with focus, concentration and completing complex tasks
  • Irritability or restlessness
  • Desperate attempts to rationalize a return to Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Uncontrollable or variable feelings and mood swings
  • Difficulty with social interactions and facing obligations
  • Sleep changes, much more sleep or sleeplessness
  • Feeling intensely drawn to other electronic entertainment
  • Obsessive thoughts about Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Fantasies and dreams about Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Impatience and angry outbursts
  • Restless, unfulfilling, taunting dreams
  • Crying
  • Headaches and nausea

Treatment for Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction

Studies about treating Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction are in the early stages worldwide, although the experts at the Physis Recovery Gaming Clinic have been helping families for many years, overcome a variety of gaming disorders. One therapy that can help is called CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction

This is mental health counseling that teaches you how to replace thoughts about gaming to help change behavior

  • Preventing Red Dead Redemption 2 addiction
  • To keep the amount of time spent playing Red Dead Redemption 2 under control, try these tips for adults and kids alike:
  • Set time limits for playing Red Dead Redemption 2 and stick to them.
  • Keep phones and other gadgets out of the bedroom so you won’t play Red Dead Redemption 2 into the night.
  • Do other activities every day as well as playing Red Dead Redemption 2, including exercise. This will lower the health risks of sitting and playing for long stretches of time.
  • Make sure that your child is only playing games rated for their age

  • Understanding Gaming Disorder

  • Most Addicting Games

  • How to Deal with Video Game Addiction

  • Gaming Addiction

  • Game Transfer Phenomena

  • Anime Addiction

Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction (9)

teen and young adult counseling

Counseling for Teens and Young Adults - Get Them Help Today

Teen Counseling for Red Dead Redemption 2 Addiction

TeenCounseling is an online platform where tweens, teens and young adults from ages 13-19 can get help from a licensed therapist online. TeenCounseling.com makes affordable, discreet, professional therapy available through a computer, tablet, or device. All teenagers can benefit from having a professional therapist at their fingertips to discuss issues such as coping skills, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, {Game addiction}, depression, bullying, anger, eating disorders or any other mental challenges.

The cost of therapy through TeenCounseling ranges from only $60 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks) and it is based on your location, preferences, and therapist availability. You can cancel your membership at any time, for any reason.

Languages: Teencounseling.com is available in multiple languages

  • 1

    1.L. Gros, N. Debue, J. Lete and C. V. de Leemput, Frontiers | Video Game Addiction and Emotional States: Possible Confusion Between Pleasure and Happiness?, Frontiers.; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02894/full

  • 2

    2.H. Miner, Video game addiction and psychological distress among expatriate adolescents in Saudi Arabia – ScienceDirect, Video game addiction and psychological distress among expatriate adolescents in Saudi Arabia – ScienceDirect.; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853217300457

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