MMR: Can You Be a True Gamer If You're On Drugs?

[robwright]

Last week's story "Gaming's New Drug Culture" sparked a firestorm of criticism and spirited feedback from readers. But a central question remains: is it acceptable behavior for gamers to use drugs, either for simple enjoyment or to prolong and enhance their play? Readers weigh in on the controversial article and the sensitive subject.

 

[cafuddled]

Is this question for real?

I am going to answer this with a question… Is it ok for an athlete running in the Olympics to take performance enhancing drugs or illegal drugs before participating in an event? You could use this question in the general sense is it ok to take drugs, no.

It all depends in what sense you are asking this question. Is it ok to take drugs while playing in your house? No, but who cares. Some stoned person on the other side of the world fragging people is hardly doing it to game harder they are just taking drugs to recreate to enjoy them self in there own way. Even if they are taking drugs to make them perform better or last in the game for longer, as long as it is not in a competitive game then again who cares?

The thing is when substances are used in gaming tournaments and competitions, this is when it becomes wrong in all ways and people do care. Because if you believe what Fatality says that a gaming pro is an athlete in there own right, then it is against the rules and the organizers should introduce drug screening on said pro gamers.

The question is though are illegal drugs ok to take, according to the law that is a big NO in all cases weather it be to enjoy a night out more or game better than you normally do.

[EDIT]

On reading further, it’s like it is a shock when you say gamers take drugs. The fact is that people take drugs, not gamers. Horse riders take drugs, businessmen take drugs, racecar drivers take drugs, housewives take drugs, and school kids take drugs, hell I bet even space men take drugs.

You can’t make this in to a big story about people taking drugs, it happens in every sport or activity out there. It happens in war it happens in gang wars it happens in every thing in this world and your making it out that it is a big thing that it happens in gaming. It’s not it’s a fact of life, while people are still taking drugs there will be someone in everything taking drugs.

I invite you all to come to Edinburgh and walk down Nidry, if you don’t get stabbed first you will have a good time spotting junkies that don’t game.

 

[e1000]

Interestingly the answer to this question isn’t as clear cut as one might think. For example, look at the muscle building community, they have contests, shows, get endorsements, so on... but it is pretty much known and accepted that they all take steroids. There’s no way they could get that big if they didn’t.

But most "respectable" sports do not allow drugs to be used by the players; gaming seems like a sport that should adopt this stance. Steroids may have bad side effects, but the kind of drugs that help that could help professional gamers stay up (and sharp) for several days at a time are potentially fatal and highly addictive. I speak of speed and coke here, not the mostly harmless caffeine.

As to whether the home gamer should be prohibited from using drugs… well technically they already are. But to answer the question anyways; people like to have fun. Some people like to hunt. Some people like to race. Some people like to commit violent crimes Some people like to play games. Some people like to do illicit drugs. Gaming can accurately simulate many things that it would be difficult to do through other avenues, but taking drugs isn’t something you can experience in a game. So it should be no surprise that some gamers are going to use drugs while playing, usually milder ones like pot or other hallucinogens. It comes down to personal choice and personal ethics.

 

[Aaron McKenna]

Myself and Rob have a slightly different weltenschaung where it comes to this issue. I'm interested to see how our different (though not opposed) views of the subject play.

 

[Btrice]

Interestingly the answer to this question isn’t as clear cut as one might think. For example, look at the muscle building community, they have contests, shows, get endorsements, so on... but it is pretty much known and accepted that they all take steroids. There’s no way they could get that big if they didn’t.

But most "respectable" sports do not allow drugs to be used by the players; gaming seems like a sport that should adopt this stance. Steroids may have bad side effects, but the kind of drugs that help that could help professional gamers stay up (and sharp) for several days at a time are potentially fatal and highly addictive. I speak of speed and coke here, not the mostly harmless caffeine.

As to whether the home gamer should be prohibited from using drugs… well technically they already are. But to answer the question anyways; people like to have fun. Some people like to hunt. Some people like to race. Some people like to commit violent crimes Some people like to play games. Some people like to do illicit drugs. Gaming can accurately simulate many things that it would be difficult to do through other avenues, but taking drugs isn’t something you can experience in a game. So it should be no surprise that some gamers are going to use drugs while playing, usually milder ones like pot or other hallucinogens. It comes down to personal choice and personal ethics.

As a bodybuilder myself (and a clean one) we don't all take steroids. Only IFBB professionals tend to take them (and amateur morons who can't seem to realise that they will never go pro, or lazy a***oles who need to look good for the "beach" and dont want to do the work :roll: ) and the federation doesn't test for them because natural BBers don't fill seats. Bet you didn't know there is a professional natural bodybuilding scene as well? (Here is a link of a guy I know who just got his natural pro-card, see a difference? http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/layne.htm )If you did cool, but if you didn't that is expected because it is not and will not get as big as the Mr. Olympia/NOC/Arnold Expo type IFBB competitions.

Anyways more on topic. Gaming is not a sport, although that doesn't mean that it can't have "professional" level competitions. Anybody who uses drugs for that purpose only is a double-idiot. Once for using the drugs in the first place, another for using it for competitive gaming.

If you want to take some LSD and play Doom at home or something that is your own business. Why not just fire up some legal Salvia 20x and have a real spiritual experience though?

Personally I think large LAN parties, unless specified for being over 18 or over 21 only, should be a place where kids of a reasonable age should be able to go and play games and be supervised by responsible adults. If I was running a LAN party and saw drugs of any kind being used or passed around in that situation, you better be damn sure the police would be brought in and that moron would go up on possesion charges. You want to do that stuff do it at home behind closed doors, I don't want to know about it.

 

[everygamer]

No, drugs should not be used to enhance ones performance when compeeting in any activity. Lets keep the playing field level to natural ability. If you suck, you just suck. Live with it, make the best of life and move on.

In the example of the LAN party with heavy drug use that the writer attended, you would need to put this into context and give a full history of all the people involved in the party to show that the gaming was cause/effect. If the people at the party had a history of drug use in other activities, or just a few of them did, it might have lead them to introducing it into the LAN party and it becoming a social interaction. It is the people not the activity which defines the acceptance of drug use. I have been to many parties where there is zero use, and to some that had some drug use, and in all situations it came down to the people involved and clasic personality interaction between the attendies.

 

[ninjahedge]

WHOOPIE!!! I was quoted.

TWICE!!!

Anyway, here's how it is.

-Can you get addicted to games? Yes.
-Is it the SAME as being addicted to drugs? No.
-Does the gaming community, as a whole, endorse either? Not really.

And that is where the easy yes/no answers end. Everything else is a set of degrees of severity. Will there be LAN's that have all this stuff? I have no doubt, but I believe they will probably be less prevalent than people gettnig high r tweaked watching Rocky Horror or just sitting around at a party.

What we are seeing here is kind of a crossover between the techies and the bad boys. Odd that somehow people always thought that the two were totally seperate entities. The party that Aaron went to was definitely not the norm and was WAY off the scale in regards to ANY get together. I think the only thing that was odd about it was that these guys included a LAN into the mix.



Now, as for criticism on the article this article referrs to, that is a difficult one to address without sounding like you are coming off and trying to defend your own way of life.

The main issue that people had here was probably the way the article combined two things that did not mesh well. The first part seems to be more clinical, and although people might disagree with Ms. Clinic, they cannot completely rule out all she is saying.

The second part, however, was a story of a Rave gone truly techno. Could it have happened? Yes, but I have not been, or heard of anyone I know of, going to a party where someone mixes speed and viagra together (was that the combo), gives it to the guy, and then the guy runs around naked with an... um... "axe to grind". It just went over the top.

And the lack of any defense of this situation, that these guys did not represent who (she?) was used to playing with made it seem like this story was more for shock and "awwwwwwwww" than to actually get a point across.

It may have indeed been that way, but how does that represent the mainstream and the issues that gamers, and parents should be aware of?

 

[samir_nayanajaad]

No, drugs should not be used to enhance ones performance when compeeting in any activity. Lets keep the playing field level to natural ability. If you suck, you just suck. Live with it, make the best of life and move on.

Well there is one large problem with this whole topic what is a drug anyway? for example, some places pot is not a problem in America it is illegal.

I quoted everygamer just because he or she said not drugs should be used. well some peoples faith tells them that things like soda are bad for the body and shuld not be consumed. Is mt. dew a drug just because of the caffeine in it? What if gamers started taking pills that were just caffeine?

so to answer this question the term "drug" needs to be clarified. is it just prescription drugs that a person doesn’t have a prescription for? is it over the counter products? is it just a plant that some say is bad? or is it something that alters your body chemistry? if it is that last one hell an apple is a drug.

 

[infornography42]

Should gamers be allowed to use drugs in professional contests?
NO!

That is an issue worth addressing and to be perfectly honest, you have addressed it as far as it needs to go.


Should gamers get stoned while playing games in nonprofessional venues?
I really don't care, its their bodies and minds. As long as they keep it private and don't let their addled brains take them out onto the streets and cause problems, more power to them. Judgement impairing drugs are the variety that I dislike, but I couldn't care less who uses them as long as they don't cause problems for other people while doing so.

This is an issue NOT worth addressing. It is pointless.

That is all.

 

[everygamer]

No, drugs should not be used to enhance ones performance when compeeting in any activity. Lets keep the playing field level to natural ability. If you suck, you just suck. Live with it, make the best of life and move on.

Well there is one large problem with this whole topic what is a drug anyway? for example, some places pot is not a problem in America it is illegal.

I quoted everygamer just because he or she said not drugs should be used. well some peoples faith tells them that things like soda are bad for the body and shuld not be consumed. Is mt. dew a drug just because of the caffeine in it? What if gamers started taking pills that were just caffeine?

so to answer this question the term "drug" needs to be clarified. is it just prescription drugs that a person doesn’t have a prescription for? is it over the counter products? is it just a plant that some say is bad? or is it something that alters your body chemistry? if it is that last one hell an apple is a drug.

Just to clarify, I said No when when compeeting in any activity. I believe when competing no drugs that can affect your performance should be used, or, everyone should use the same stuff. Whats the point of compeeting if you need something to help you. Not no in general. I side with the previous poster (though he is a bit zelous in it) that be it caffeine or meth, a person can put in their body what ever they want, its their choice and they only get one body so long as they are willing to accept the consiquences of their actions while under the influence, good or bad.

Thing to note, the most heavily used drug by the gaming community is Caffeine. Coffee, Mountain Dew, Bawls, nodo's, etc. For every example someone can put out of a gamer doing pot or meth, you can easliy show 100 gamers getting the big C fix from a number of products, but I would say this is no worse than people who drink a lot of coffee when they are at work. I would also say it is driven by society, I dont remember when coffee drinks were so big with young adults since the Ice Coffee's and Coffee Coolatta's, or Coffee Frapachino's started coming out in the last 10 years. When I was a kid it was soda (fond memories of Jolt in Junior High).

 

[Homerr]

Up until a year ago I ran a team that has been together for about 8 years and is now playing WoW with over 400 toons and I've never heard of anything like this. I was pretty hardcore until I quit - married, working full-time, and playing WoW 60 hours a week.

The worst I've seen and personally done is the rare instance (like once or twice a year) where one gets drunk and wipes out in a dungeon and teamwork goes to hell.

My personal drug was caffiene - and I don't mean Red Bull level - just a half-decaf 16oz. coffee in the morning was all it took for me.

Anyway, I'm sure there are abusers of substances in every type of activity and gaming isn't any exception. The initial story made it sound like a much higher proportion of gamers are abusing drugs than my experience tells.

 

[p05esto]

I believe all things in moderation are okay. That includes cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, pot, cocaine, prescription painkillers, ritilin etc.... I do use and have used all those at different times in my life. Each has it's own use and can enhance a given experience.

Better living through chemistry. I feel sorry for those who don't have easy access to these substances as needed. I'm not addicted to anything and can honestly say these substances have greatly improved the quality of my life and I've had no real negative consequences from their use.

Moderation.

 

[wolfman140]

Can you be a true gamer if you're on drugs? I don't see why not.
Do you have to do drugs to be a good gamer? Hell no.
Do drugs and games have a legitimate connection? Hell no again.

Games and drugs do not lead to each other. A gamer won't necessarily get into drugs, and a drug user will not necessarily get into games. That party he went to (maybe thats the way they are where YOU'RE from) was out of control. That was like a drug/drinking party with a few computers in it. Maybe I'm just ignorant, but I'd think its safe to say that 90% of LAN parties aren't that ridiculous scene that Rob encountered.

Again, games and drugs don't have a connection. Sure people can do both, but that doesn't mean you HAVE to or that games lead to drugs in anyway. I think you'll find that a large majority of people will agree with this statement and that this LAN Party he went to was like the motherload of drug fests and doesn't happen 90% of the time.

So actually, I don't know why this thread is posted again or why the topic is up.

 

[ninjahedge]

Because there was a second article posted on it on the TG site..

Oh, BTW, I think it was Aaron that went to the party, and I am not sure, but he might be a she........

 

[samir_nayanajaad]

No, drugs should not be used to enhance ones performance when compeeting in any activity. Lets keep the playing field level to natural ability. If you suck, you just suck. Live with it, make the best of life and move on.

Well there is one large problem with this whole topic what is a drug anyway? for example, some places pot is not a problem in America it is illegal.

I quoted everygamer just because he or she said not drugs should be used. well some peoples faith tells them that things like soda are bad for the body and shuld not be consumed. Is mt. dew a drug just because of the caffeine in it? What if gamers started taking pills that were just caffeine?

so to answer this question the term "drug" needs to be clarified. is it just prescription drugs that a person doesn’t have a prescription for? is it over the counter products? is it just a plant that some say is bad? or is it something that alters your body chemistry? if it is that last one hell an apple is a drug.

Just to clarify, I said No when compeeting in any activity. I believe when competing no drugs that can affect your performance should be used, or, everyone should use the same stuff. Whats the point of compeeting if you need something to help you. Not no in general. I side with the previous poster (though he is a bit zelous in it) that be it caffeine or meth, a person can put in their body what ever they want, its their choice and they only get one body so long as they are willing to accept the consiquences of their actions while under the influence, good or bad.

Thing to note, the most heavily used drug by the gaming community is Caffeine. Coffee, Mountain Dew, Bawls, nodo's, etc. For every example someone can put out of a gamer doing pot or meth, you can easliy show 100 gamers getting the big C fix from a number of products, but I would say this is no worse than people who drink a lot of coffee when they are at work. I would also say it is driven by society, I dont remember when coffee drinks were so big with young adults since the Ice Coffee's and Coffee Coolatta's, or Coffee Frapachino's started coming out in the last 10 years. When I was a kid it was soda (fond memories of Jolt in Junior High).

I don’t mean to pick on you everygamer but you say things that I think many have wrong.

First you said that you don’t agree with it when competing in any activity, well sure me and my buddies get together for fun but yeah it is a competition. Ill assume that you meant in the "professional" realm of competing, but still, we have yet to say what is and is not a “drug.”

you later talk about caffeine as a drug, well does that mean that pro athletes cant have a cup of joe in the morning before a game? My thoughts on that one are they can, but hell whets the difference between a caffeine made from coffee beans and opium made from poppy seeds? why is one a "legal" drug and the other not?

the next thing about “what’s the point in competing if you need something to help you.” well that’s almost saying that no team should be allowed to practice before a game because it "helps" them. I know that’s not what you meant by that, the only reason I bring this up is because like with the term drug people use terms very loosely and this causes problems.

And I will say this again because I don’t want any problems. I don’t mean to be an as* to you everygamer, just you say things that I can make my point with.

 

[killersnowman]

Last week's story "Gaming's New Drug Culture" sparked a firestorm of criticism and spirited feedback from readers. But a central question remains: is it acceptable behavior for gamers to use drugs, either for simple enjoyment or to prolong and enhance their play? Readers weigh in on the controversial article and the sensitive subject.

this is even more stupid than the first article.

the obvious answer is no. is it acceptable for people to use ILLEGAL drugs when not playing games? no. so why would it be ok when they are playing games?

this is an obvious move to prolong your spot in the spotlight.

 

[caamsa]

Ok enough with the drug stuff I want a nice hardware review I can sink my teeth into.

 

[clue69less]

Last week's story "Gaming's New Drug Culture" sparked a firestorm of criticism and spirited feedback from readers. But a central question remains: is it acceptable behavior for gamers to use drugs, either for simple enjoyment or to prolong and enhance their play? Readers weigh in on the controversial article and the sensitive subject.

I knew a guy that loved to talk about driving his car at over 160 mph, blowing past people on the Interstate. Everything in his life revolved around his fast car and how fast he drove it. But if someone had a couple of beers and drove home, he'd go off like a cannon. After all, drunk driving is illegal, right? Err, does 2 beers get you legally drunk? Whatever, the suggestion of any illegal substance like pot would launch this guy into Hypoctitical Hyperspace. He didn't like to hear me comparing him driving over double the speed limit to my friend having a couple of beers then driving.

Lots of people become holier-than-thou about drug abuse, as if it's the most horrible thing a person can do. I don't condone it but have studied medicinal chemistry history and the science of addiction enough to know that a certain segment of society WILL abuse substances. Period. There are fixes for some of those people, but for others, abuse seems to be a pillar of the core of their being. We're a ways away from a pure society that will gain approval from the more PC among us.

 

[schu]

I think that some people have brought up a pretty good point..what about caffiene? i can tell you right now that if i down a 2 liter of diet mt dew before a scrim that my shots will be more accurate and i get more pumped up..and this will never be made against the rules..it is proven that caffiene improves your reaction time

In terms of non-competitive gaming, I do know a lot of users who use drugs, in fact i would say that most of the hardcore players use some type of drug whether it be drinking at least a couple nights a week or smoking a large amount of pot..and

just as others have said, some people can live a normal life while doing drugs and some cant, a perfect example of this is an alcoholic , they cant control themselves and will drink until they are morphed into some kind of raving lunatic or until they pass out (repeatedly)

I dont really see where this discussion can go because of the attitude about drugs in america, people see this as either it is legal or it isnt (most people at least) there is no real solution when they are unwilling to address the reality that people will abuse drugs no matter how much they threaten , point the finger, or whine, and that they should only punish those who threaten the health of other citizens (such as drunk drivers)

 

[infornography42]

4 reasons.

Caffiene is legal

Caffiene is readily available

Caffiene is widely used

Caffiene is not particularly harmful to your body or judgement.

Illegal drugs are generally not any of those things.

I dont really see where this discussion can go because of the attitude about drugs in america, people see this as either it is legal or it isnt (most people at least) there is no real solution when they are unwilling to address the reality that people will abuse drugs no matter how much they threaten , point the finger, or whine, and that they should only punish those who threaten the health of other citizens (such as drunk drivers)

For the record, I think alcohol is far worse than many illegal drugs and tobacco is no saint either.

Relative to those two killers caffiene is incredibly tame, though a few years ago I gave up caffiene permanently as well. I saw it as the only chemical addiction I had, so I quit cold turkey and never turned back.

 

[schu]

4 reasons.


Caffiene is not particularly harmful to your body or judgement.

that one isnt really true, large amounts of caffiene consumption is one of the top links to heart attack

 

[infornography42]

4 reasons.


Caffiene is not particularly harmful to your body or judgement.

that one isnt really true, large amounts of caffiene consumption is one of the top links to heart attack

And large amounts of water is one of the leading causes of drowning...

I have personally known people who have died from tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine. I have never even heard of someone dying of caffiene overdose. That takes an awful lot of caffiene.

 

[infornography42]

4 reasons.


Caffiene is not particularly harmful to your body or judgement.

that one isnt really true, large amounts of caffiene consumption is one of the top links to heart attack

One more thing in regards to this. I did some quick research.

I found this frequently referenced article.

Here are some quick quotes from it.

Patients with multiple existing risk factors for coronary heart disease like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes as well as smoking are at more than double the risk for a heart attack. However the study could find no measurable effect on heavy coffee consumers.

“However, reducing coffee consumption should take a back seat to other health precautions,” said Dr. Andy Wielgosz, of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “If you have a heart condition, if you have multiple risk factors, the first priority is to attend to those. Reduce those risk factors, control you cholesterol, your blood pressure and discuss the matter with your physician,” Dr. Wielgosz said.

Apparently there is a small risk of heart attack for occasional drinkers of caffiene, but heavy drinkers have a very low chance of a caffiene related heart attack. As for it being one of the top links.. no.

Caffiene is one of the lower recognized risk factors for heart attacks. It is recognized as being a risk factor, but only just barely.

 

[schu]

4 reasons.


Caffiene is not particularly harmful to your body or judgement.

that one isnt really true, large amounts of caffiene consumption is one of the top links to heart attack

One more thing in regards to this. I did some quick research.

I found this frequently referenced article.

Here are some quick quotes from it.

Patients with multiple existing risk factors for coronary heart disease like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes as well as smoking are at more than double the risk for a heart attack. However the study could find no measurable effect on heavy coffee consumers.

“However, reducing coffee consumption should take a back seat to other health precautions,” said Dr. Andy Wielgosz, of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “If you have a heart condition, if you have multiple risk factors, the first priority is to attend to those. Reduce those risk factors, control you cholesterol, your blood pressure and discuss the matter with your physician,” Dr. Wielgosz said.

Apparently there is a small risk of heart attack for occasional drinkers of caffiene, but heavy drinkers have a very low chance of a caffiene related heart attack. As for it being one of the top links.. no.

Caffiene is one of the lower recognized risk factors for heart attacks. It is recognized as being a risk factor, but only just barely.

I personally believe it is debatable about the risks, my experience in school etc has lead me to believe that it is a cause of heart attack, however i will appreciate your point that it is a point under contention..

but..the issues associated with caffiene arent just limited to the heart ..there are many other commonly known issues, heres a link that displays many of them

# Nervousness
# Trembling
# Irritability
# Muscle tension
# Insomnia
# Tremors
# Gastrointestinal distress - nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea
# Rapid heartbeat
# Low potassium in the blood
# Depression
# Headaches
# Migraine headaches
# Elevated blood glucose
http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/nutritional/caffiene.php

I personally have experienced many of these symptoms when consuming too much caffiene, which i commonly do ..I alone am at fault for this but it is difficult for me to overcome, and I even quit smoking cigarettes years ago..

Many of the people I play games online with talk about their caffiene consumption as well and it is common for me to hear, "im on my 5th 1 liter"

With the current overconsumption crisis in america I think that caffiene is becoming more of a threat than it would have been previously.

 

[infornography42]

As I said, I did quit caffiene a while back. The side effects were a large part of the reason I decided to.

I know all too well exactly what caffeine does to your body, but relative to the other drugs mentioned, it is very VERY mild.