The vast majority of popular online games like Roblox, Genshin Impact, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive have in-game currency, encouraging players to spend real money on digital prizes. The University of Sydney reports that when some young people encounter digital currency they often don’t understand how much real money they’re spending.

Many of these games, even ones catered toward young audiences, also have mechanics that mimic the effect of slot machines, and use them to generate a lot of their revenue.

Nick Devor, a journalist who specializes in reporting on the gambling industry, joins The Metro to tell about the different ways video games can imitate and encourage gambling. 

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Youth are especially at risk of over-engaging with digital worlds and disconnecting from reality. Gaming addiction is just like any other—and according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, having an addiction to anything is six times worse if it starts before adulthood.

How can we guard ourselves and impressionable young people against a new medium that triggers a familiar form of addiction? 

Harvard trained psychiatrist Dr.Alok Kanojia aka Dr.K joins The Metro to explain more about gaming addiction and how to deal with it.

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A few years out of the pandemic, overdose deaths continue to drop. 

A new report found that overdose deaths declined by 37 percent from 2023 to 2024. Local EMS calls related to drug overdoses dropped as well.

What are Southeast Michigan government officials doing to try to continue lowering addiction and overdose rates since the numbers hit all-time highs?

Narcan availability is a big reason for this drop. But local governments are making more investments in physical and mental health care too. Oakland County just opened its 360 Care Center, which offers same-day services for non-emergency medical needs. 

Why is addiction a big problem for so many people in the first place? And what can health professionals and everyday folks do to try to stop it from ruining peoples’ lives? Producer Sam Corey spoke with Deputy County Executive for Oakland County Madiha Tariq to learn more.

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