Internet Addiction Center Opens Near Microsoft HQ

Sep 3, 2009 12:00 pm US/Pacific

Internet Addiction Center Opens Near Microsoft HQ

First Out-Patient Program Of Its Kind To Open In U.S. Helps Wean Clients From Pathological Computer Use

Addicts Pay $14,000 For 45-Day Treatment To Stop Obsessive Use Of Video Games, Texting, Facebook

FALL CITY, Wash. (CBS) ― Ben Alexander spent nearly every waking minute playing the video game "World of Warcraft." As a result, he flunked out of the University of Iowa.

Alexander, 19, needed help to break an addiction he calls as destructive as alcohol or drugs. He found it in this suburb of high-tech Seattle, where what claims to be the first residential treatment center for Internet addiction in the United States just opened its doors.

The center, called ReSTART, is somewhat ironically located near Redmond, headquarters of Microsoft and a world center of the computer industry. It opened in July and for $14,000 offers a 45-day program intended to help people wean themselves from pathological computer use, which can include obsessive use of video games, texting, Facebook, eBay, Twitter and any other time-killers brought courtesy of technology.

"We've been doing this for years on an outpatient basis," said Hilarie Cash, a therapist and executive director of the center. "Up until now, we had no place to send them."

more...
http://cbs13.com/technology/internet.addiction.rehab.2.1162402.html



* Are You An Addict? Check ReSTART's Signs & Symptoms

Signs & Symptoms of Computer & Internet/ Gaming Addiction

Here is what to look for (3-4 yes responses suggest abuse; 5 or more suggest addiction)

• Increasing amounts of time spent on computer and internet activities

• Failed attempts to control behavior

• Heightened sense of euphoria while involved in computer and internet activities

• Craving more time on the computer and internet

• Neglecting friends and family

• Feeling restless when not engaged in the activity

• Being dishonest with others

• Computer use interfering with job/school performance

• Feeling guilty, ashamed, anxious, or depressed as a result of behavior

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Physical changes such as weight gain or loss, backaches, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome

• Withdrawing from other pleasurable activities

Developed by Dr. Hilarie Cash, PhD. of Internet and Computer Addiction Services.

fall city is no where near the microsoft hq, i grew up a block away from the hq.

Close enough, considering all the wide open space in WA.

You should have jumped on this... The HowardX Center for InterTube Addiction sounds almost as cool as The Betty Ford Clinic. You were an early addict... you must surely understand the pathology.

:hi:

you have 25000 posts here, i have 3000.

:hi:

eom

I can step away any time I want to...

See?


You're not looking!

OK, just for that, I'll stay right here!

:P

just DU!!!



:hi:

But I said, no, no, no!

:rofl:

"HI, BOB!"

Someone told my husband that the first season of Lost was on Hulu, but warned him before he watched it that it was addicting. My husband never gets involved in tv shows! Now the whole family is addicted to Lost! We have been using Netflix to catch up!

:rofl:

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

;-)

let's come up with something new to have the rich spend their money on.

:shrug:

And the ability to walk further than the fridge and bathroom is highly over-rated, in my book.

I do not need to get sued. However, I distinctly remember her saying several years ago that she would allow nothing more than dialup in her house.

It's my belief and my opinion that there is no such thing as Internet addiction.

Lucky this all came along so she could make a buck, huh?

:eyes: