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Study: 'World of Warcraft' as Addictive as Cocaine
According to a Swedish youth organization study, 'World of Warcraft' is the most addictive game on the planet. Which is cool if you're a gamer and immune to such things, but decidedly less cool if you're an addict who hasn't gotten out of your comfy lounge chair with your laptop balanced precariously on your stomach and pizza delivery boys routinely making sure you don't die of starvation for the past 18 months.
| Yes | |
|---|---|
| No | |
| I'm not sure |
The Youth Care Foundation called the game "the cocaine of the computer games world." We should point out that's actually a step down on the hard drugs ladder, as the game is commonly referred to was World of Warcrack. The study, which has yet to be published, is based on interviews with parents and gamers who've contacted the foundation.
An employee at the foundation noted that they have not dealt with a single case of game addiction in which WoW wasn't involved. Founded in 1991, the foundation deals with all sorts of addiction; in 2007, 170 of the 2,000 calls it received concerned video or computer games.
If you'll excuse us, we're going to get back to playing WoW now, if that's okay. [From: The Local]
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Comments
51
Subscribe to commentsMiccaMar 2nd 2009 8:45AM
My sisteen year old son plays and I hate it, but considering whats out there on the streets today...I'd much rather have him safe and sound in his room playing WOW.
RichieMar 2nd 2009 10:10AM
What happens when it is time too go out into Big Peoples World and he has no people skills? Does he not participate in sports? Social functions with friends? At school? If you are hiding him in his room under the guise of protecting him from the outside world you are doing more harm then good. Kick him in the ass and get him outside. Go meet a girl for petes sake. This is how serial killer start.
joeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeMar 2nd 2009 10:21AM
hell yeah woman
BarbiMar 3rd 2009 12:59AM
Any addiction - cocaine, pornography, shopping, gaming, etc - has the capacity to destroy relationships. When a spouse (usually a husband, but I know women are gamers, too) is spending so much time on fantasy, it's got to have an impact on relational time, hence on the quality of that relationship. My husband and I had sort of "complementary" addictions, and through intensive counseling (best $4K we ever spent) we learned all over how to interact. Our addictions were a dangerous substitute for real intimacy (and I'm not talking about sex). Not everyone is as prone to addictions as we are, but if there are classic signs of addiction, get help!
JamieMar 2nd 2009 10:57PM
I could not agree more with Shylae. WoW is a failry cheap form of entertainment for a college going girl like me. The key here, as is with all things in life, is MODERATION. I see no problem with spending my time playing WoW on nights when I have all my schoolwork and studying finished, but it's when you put the game before school or real life that it becomes a problem. I manage to have an active social life both in WoW and with my girlfriends (who would rather spend their time at bars until 1am rubbing up against complete strangers). Playing WoW has actually made me appreciate real social interaction even more! Kids (and sometimes adults) just need to learn that everything else in life should come before the game. It took me a while, but I figured it out!
melissaMar 2nd 2009 8:54AM
My husband has been playing WOW for the past 6 years! Now he has my 14 yr old daughter hooked on it. She isn't as bad as he is....he can spend 12-16 hours a day on it mostly on the weekends. I look at it like this, at least he is at home with me and not out running around...hopefully by the time we're 60 maybe he'll be over it.
RodMar 2nd 2009 10:07AM
Ok, I am 46 and I play WoW. I agree there are people that play way too much. But then again, there are people that drink too much. It all depends on your own personal case. This is a great roll playing alternative to say, Drug abuse. Teen Pregnancy, Gang Violence. The list could go on but you get my point. There will always be someone saying.... "Ohhh I heard of this guy who was playing tiddly winks for 3 days straight and died from dehydration. Its a game... nothing more.
MiccaMar 2nd 2009 12:08PM
You're so right. It's an addictive game but it sure beats the other addictions out there! Better a game than a brain melting chemical addiction. As long as it's played in free time, and doesn't interfere with social, family, or work time....what's the harm?
EricMar 2nd 2009 10:14AM
If the choice was between having a son that partied too much in college or a son thats a 34 year old man child virgin that lives in my basement, playing WOW, while waiting for the next Renaissance festival while knowing nothing what so ever of the real adult world, I will take the partier.
BarbaraMar 2nd 2009 10:25AM
My 23 year old son, has played this game now for over 6 years. He never leaves the house, and has lost all his friends, he does go to school a few days a week. Granted I am hearing that this is better than gangs, etc. but come on, this is just as bad. No social skills, no girlfriend, no job. what gives?????? HELP
MattMar 2nd 2009 12:17PM
I do not play WoW, I gave up video games to pursue my ambitions 2 years ago. All I can say Barbara is that maybe your son has virtual friends through the game? I dunno, sounds like a bad situation though, well on his way to being in your house forever. With no job, who pays for his internet, games, food, etc? Sounds like your enabling the behavior Barbara...I know it will be very hard for you to do, but you probably need to kick your son out of the house, or at least disconnect the internet until he gets a job.
JoeMar 2nd 2009 10:30AM
Stupid game....never played it, never will. Also, what kind of idiot would mark on the survey..."I'm not sure"?? You know you have played the game or not. It hasn't been around that long. Sure are some stupid people out there thanks to the "dumbing down of America" in our school systems. It is a shame when a stupid game like WOW is more entertaining to morons than school. Of course, the teachers today are the product of the same school system that is dumbing down our kids, so what would one expect but more of the same.
TomMar 2nd 2009 11:01AM
losers
MiccaMar 2nd 2009 11:12AM
He has great people skills, plays football, rides his dirtbike, gets good grades, and volunteers at an animal shelter on Saturday mornings. His free time (mostly nights) is spent playing WOW. BTW, his football buddies all party every weekend and since he doesn't drink or get high..he plays WOW.
Mathew BanuelosMar 2nd 2009 11:35AM
No your son gets high AND THEN plays WOW, DUH!!
ArlanaOath-StaghelmMar 2nd 2009 11:33AM
My little brother played this game and all he did was eat sleep and play WoW, and I never knew my best friend had a second sister bc i never saw or heard anything about her. She played WoW allday and i swore i would never play, but now i do. I'm in college and I'm addicted to it. In the past 6 months my play time is exactly 22days, 13hours, and 19mins. WoW is more addicting that the average street drug or alcohol combined.
TexasKimmyMar 2nd 2009 11:43AM
So true... neighbors don't know I even have a teenage son. It's all he wants to do. At least I know where he is at night.
maseMar 2nd 2009 11:45AM
my roommate plays WOW nonstop, almost all day. The only time he leaves is to go to class, and he habitually stays up till 4 AM playing this game. I get tired of the f-ing dragon noises ALL DAY AND NIGHT!!!!! His room is disgusting, old pizza all over the floor and overflowing trash cans. I absolutely agree that this game is addicting as coke.
MiccaMar 2nd 2009 12:08PM
Mathew, you're a moron. All I have to do is take the computer, sure beats rehab or a funeral. Calling WOW addictive is valid, but at least it doesn't do the damage that drugs and alcohol do. To even assume you know MY son beter than I do, makes you the moron, not me. "DUH" isnt' that from the 70's...do you wear a "Members Only" jacket too??
DeeMar 2nd 2009 1:13PM
you must be 12 because you are a MORON!!! kids have killed themselves over video addiction etc ... get more information on it before you start putting others down , just because that is not your addiction, does not mean you may never develop another , so don't throw stones at glass houses!!!!