iPhone Addicts Get $14,000 Solution In Seattle

 

FALL CITY, WA - The idea of placing a residential treatment center for rampant gaming and internet addiction thirteen miles away from the Microsofties headquarters in Redmond, Washington is brilliantly ironic. A new facility, cleverly calling itself reSTART, claims to be the first detox center for out of control internet addicts.

Serious "iPhone users" know that almost every online, gaming and social networking drug of choice is constantly held only a finger stroke away, directly connected to an App Store that never closes. Making it convenient to mainline a fresh fix nonstop. If you require a designated texter while driving, you may already be in desperate need of treatment.

iAddicted Twitter junkies, bloggers, World of Warcraft zombies and Facebook fanatics alike will discover reSTART to be an equal opportunity destination aimed at breaking their potentially destructive internet addiction for just over $14,000 at a unique 6-bed, family-style retreat facility. 

"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."

Ben Alexander, 19, is currently the only patient taking part in the 45-day program intended to help ultra-geeks wean themselves from obsessive computer use. Apparently, Alexander flunked out of the University of Iowa within one year after gorging himself on World of Warcrack for 16 or 17 hours a day as his online gaming drug of choice, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

It's still unknown if a program like reSTART will have any long term effect since Internet addiction is not recognized as a separate disorder. Which means that expensive internet detox treatment is not yet covered by insurance. Dr Ronald Pies, a professor of psychiatry at SUNY Medical University in Syracuse, New York is convinced that most so-called 'internet addicts' are really social dwarfs that find it difficult to deal with real human interaction face-to-face. A possible explanation why virtual farting apps rose so quickly to cult-like status among iPhone users.

"From what we know, many so-called 'internet addicts' are folks who have severe depression, anxiety disorders, or social phobic symptoms that make it hard for them to live a full, balanced life." Dr Ronald Pies said.

 

The team at reSTART have provided a useful online guide identifying typical signs and symptoms of computer and internet gaming addiction (3-4 yes responses suggest abuse; 5 or more suggest addiction). Chances are most of you wild-eyed iPhone fanatics reading this post will rate a 5 or more just like yours truly did.

I might be seeing you sooner than later out in Fall City broseph. Bring your $14K in small bills and I'll bring the Patron. And yes, they do have goats and an epic treehouse we can all hang out in. In case you were wondering. But you'll have to check your iPhone at the door.

[iPhone Photo by Shannon Angel Photography - Flickr]

Comments

[Hawk (19)]

I think this is good and it should be covered by insurance. I myself am strongly addicted and have been trying to rebalance my life. My first step was to lock away my computer where I could not get it without the help of relatives who are informed about my problem. To anyone who wants to fight their addiction as well, this is a crucial first step. I had tried out various kinds of "life balancing" and "strict schedule" experiments before, which seemed promising at first but I slipped right back into my addiction after a week or two. Anyway, a couple of weeks after I had put my computer away I bought an iPhone with the intention of being able to check my emails regularly without having to go to other people's places for it. This was a bad decision because soon after I got the iPhone I realized its potential to (at least in part) replace the computer. My next step was to have my therapist lock the App Store and iTunes, which helped, but I'm afraid I will need to have him lock my browsing capabilities as well next time I see him. (I'm writing this from my iPhone.)

I'm convinced that in a decade and a half, at most, Internet addiction will be recognized as a real issue and that insurances will pay for programs like reSTART, that help to cure this addiction in individuals. Just exactly how these institutions would work and how successful they will be is still unknown however.

All I know is that computer/Internet addiction can cause severe social and behavioural problems, as well as physical ones over long periods of time.

GL everyone...

[world of warcraft gold]

I would think that $14000 for rehab would be for adults who have an addiction rather than children. There is a growing population of adults who are addicted to the Internet and to gaming. Mostly, they tend to lost sight of reality especially World of Warcraft freaks. I hope those who will seek help on this clinic will find an answer for their bad internet and gaming habit!