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Ottawa (ECN) - Online games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy provide a fun and exciting distraction from the daily grind. But for a growing portion of the population these programs are becoming more than just a game. They are an addiction. Internet addiction is nothing new in our society, but with the increasing popularity of online role playing games the problem has reached a boiling point. And it’s not just teenagers and college age users. More and more adults are becoming addicted resulting in loss of employment, family and in many cases all social contact with the outside world.

South Korea has opened boot camps to help break the cycle of addiction in their country and now a new American company is offering a place where internet addicts can get the help they need. A country retreat called reStart is offering a detox program for the internet obsessed. The 5 acre facility in Fall City, Washington offers a 45 day program where addicts are required to give up their habit cold turkey and participate in a rehabilitation program similar to a traditional 12 step system. Although it is billed as their specialty, reStart doesn’t just deal with gaming addiction. They offer services for individuals struggling with online gambling as well as text and chatting addicts.

This small facility only houses 6 beds and costs $14,500 dollars for the full 45 day treatment program. For this price the patients participate in outdoor adventures, counseling, life coaching, and courses designed to help them reconnect to the real world. Although the cost is high and most insurance companies are not currently recognizing internet addiction in their policies, if you or some on you know is addicted treatment may be crucial. There are multiple sites that list symptoms of internet addiction. Although reStart is the first facility in America where internet addicts can get the help they need it certainly will not be the last.

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