Video games addiction can be as 'costly and debilitating' as drug and alcohol dependence.

At least that's according to a survey carried out by The Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

The study was conducted online among 1945 participants. Eight percent of these were identified as 'problem gamers'.

It suggested that people who were used to gaming for extended periods were shown to have fewer friends and other problems such as cravings and irritability becoming apparent if they couldn't play.

Psychiatrist Guy Porter, who co-wrote a paper based on the survey's findings for the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, said: "Any pleasurable activity has the potential to become addictive or to form a repetitive pattern of use.

"Games are very enjoyable and provide a very positive experience for most people who use them.

"But there are a small number of people out there - those who are playing for eight hours plus a day - who have got a problem with it."

This isn't the first time we've been compared to quivering Crack addicts. Alas, it is the burden we bare.

Any of you feel like a "problem gamer"?

The study was conducted online among 1945 participants. Eight percent of these were identified as 'problem gamers'.