Non-Substance Addictions

© Photo Credit: Woodleywonderworks

Has technology taken over your life? How about a 45 day techno-detox at America’s first internet addiction treatment facility, just outside of Seattle Washington?

• Tobacco in Addiction Treatment: Study: Quit Smoking while You Quit Drugs?
• Harm Reduction: Half of Addiction Therapists OK Moderate Drinking
• Costs of Addiction Treatment: Study: Alcoholism Treatment Saves Money

© Photo Credit: Wlodi

Researchers at the CDC conducted a snapshot study of American adult video gamers, and found that on average, video game players have higher BMI scores, women gamers are more likely depressed and all gamers (on average) rely on the internet for social support at the expense of real world sociability.

• Social Contagion: Study: Depression Risk Is Contagious
• Robin Williams: Robin Williams Tragedy - Middle Aged Suicides on the Rise
• Stress and Mental Illness: Teen Stress Ups Adult Mental Illness Risk

© Photo Credit: Libraryman

Dr Richard Graham will lead a team of therapists deep into the mystical worlds of the online game, World of Warcraft, to reach socially isolated and addicted gamers.

© Photo Credit: Asim Binjarani

Researchers at the University of Kansas suggest that video game addicts who play more than 7 hours per week get almost 2 hours less sleep per night and struggle with fatigue during the day.

• Urine Tests for Smart Drugs before University Exams – Coming Soon?
• Online Alcohol Intervention Reduces College Drinking by 17%
• At College Bars - The Cheaper the Drinks the Higher the Average BAC

© Photo Credit: Timsnell

An internet addiction clinic in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong claims to have successfully treated 3000 game and internet addicted youths using electroshock therapy.

• Chinese Government Holds Half Million Drug Users in Slave Labor Camps
• China Considers Fining Passengers of Drunk Drivers
• Protestors Rally Against Electro-Shock Therapy - Doctors Insist It's Safe

© Photo Credit: Publik 15

Nevada joins states such as New York and Louisiana in establishing specialist gaming courts that offer treatment to gamblers as an alternative to jail.

• Phillip Morris Ordered to Pay Ex-Smoker $300 Million
• Louisiana Woman Could Get 10 years for Passing Opiate Addiction to Unborn Child
• Fraudulent Australian Gamblers Anonymous Website Promoted Sports Betting Page

© L Photo: Wolfgang Staudt

Clark County, WA -- "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis, who is being sued by the Wynn Casino for $2 million in gambling debts, filed a countersuit claiming that Wynn deceives high rollers with the help of alcohol, prostitutes and illegal drugs.

© Photo: Adactio

British researchers find that self described video game addicts score higher on tests for Asperger's.

• Teen Substance Abuse: 75% of American Teens Using Drugs or Alcohol
• Researchers Find a Potential ‘Cure’ for Alcoholism
• Quick and Easy Online Intervention Helps Problem Drinkers Cut-Down by 30%

© Photo: Goldemberg Fonesca

Rev. Patrick Dunne, who served at the Our Lady of Sorrows Church in White Plains NY, has been removed from his duties for misusing church funds.

• Two New Yorkers Spend a Week Behind Bars for Candy that Looked Like Crack
• NYPD Detectives Caught on Video Framing 2 Innocent Brothers on Drugs Charges
• Government Employees In OxyContin Scam

© Photo: Dewitt

Clinicians say it's real and it's prevalent, and some would like to see internet addiction added to American Psychiatry's official disorders text book.

© Photo: Ground Zero

A gambling addict who lost 1 million dollars in Atlantic City and Vegas casinos says that the casinos are responsible, and seeks 20 million in damages.

• Americans with Disabilities Act: Trucking Company Sued for Firing Alcoholic