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Video game addicts 'need a rehab centre' - expert

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Greg Thom

November 05, 2009 07:22am

ONE in 10 Australian video gamers show signs of addiction, prompting calls for a rehabilitation centre.

The plea by Sydney University psychiatry professor and gaming addiction expert Vladan Starcevic follows the London opening of what is believed to be the first clinic in the Western world for gaming addicts, the Herald Sun reoports.

Prof Starcevic welcomed the initiative, which he said was desperately needed here, the Herald Sun reports.

"We have people in this country who do have a problem with that just like with gambling and other addictive behaviours," he said.

British residential rehabilitation unit Broadway Lodge, which treats about 400 addicts a year for issues ranging from drug and alcohol addiction to gambling, has opened its doors to gaming addicts.

The facility reportedly uses a 12-step method to wean residents off their gaming obsession.

Treatment involves a mix of group therapy, self-help tapes and videos along with therapeutic tasks such as vacuuming, washing up and recreational activities.

A recent online poll of 2000 players as part of a study by Prof Starcevic and a team from the department of Psychological Medicine at Sydney's Nepean hospital revealed up to one in 10 gamers showed signs of addicted behaviour.

"I think it's good that someone has taken this seriously," Prof Starcevic said of the British initiative. "I think it should be recognised that this is a problem for some people."

Prof Starcevic, whose work is due to be published in this month's issue of The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, decided to delve deeper into the issue of addicted video gamers after more patients began exhibiting warning signs.

He said about 70 per cent of problem gamers played for more than four hours a day.

Read more at the Herald Sun

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TOO MUCH FUN: London's rehab facility uses a 12-step method to wean residents off their gaming obsession.

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