Video Game Addiction Support Group Opens In Canada

[Mr. Hrm]

Non-existent a decade ago, online gaming has more than 16 million people worldwide submerging themselves in a virtual world -- sometimes for as long as 10 hours straight, said Brad Dorrance, founder of the London, (in Canada) chapter of On-Line Gamers Anonymous, which started in the U.S.



And if you think most of those people are teenagers, think again.



Only 25 per cent of people playing online role-playing games are teens. Gamers' average age is 26, Dorrance said.



The addiction, though not recognized in the medical community, can have disastrous effects -- broken marriages, crushing debt from monthly subscription fees to take part in the games, and sometimes even loss of life.

London Free Press - Local News- Help now available for gaming addicts

[ultramega]

Some people can get addicted to anything. It's just in some people's personalities, if you will. There's shopping addicts, food addicts, even people addicted to normally healthy things like exercising. Why don't they just have like, a general "addict help" thing, instead of yet again villainizing gaming. It's not the medium, it's the person.

[Mr. Hrm]

Originally Posted by ultramega

Some people can get addicted to anything.

This is very true.

[ionscorp]

Hi I am David, I have an addiction to video games.

[Tenebrous]

Originally Posted by ionscorp

Hi I am David, I have an addiction to video games.

I think anyone on this site could say the same thing. I can for sure. (Well, not the David part, but you know what I'm getting at).

[Mr. Hrm]

Some people sink thousands into one account, buying gold, items and other stuff. That's probably the people this is for.