As technology becomes more ubiquitous, knowing when to step away from the computer or turn the videogame console off can be a difficult thing. In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests that individuals may become addicted to these technologies and require stays at addiction treatment centers.

A recent study from University of Utah researchers showed that individuals who report video game addiction display significantly different thought patterns when exposed to scenes of games than do those who experience no such dependency.

The study's authors wrote in their report, which was published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, that these brain patterns are similar to those of individuals who struggle with chemical dependencies, and that addiction treatment may benefit them.

"We suggest that [treatment] may change craving and brain activity in ways that are similar to those observed in individuals with substance abuse or dependence," the authors wrote

Addiction treatment centers that specialize in dependency upon Internet and other forms of technology are becoming more common, as a growing number of experts recognize these disorders as a legitimate problem, according to WebMD.