I am a former addict. I still play, just not nearly as much as I used. I have felt seen the results and repercussions of what happens when you take this game to far. I used to spend 16-18 hours at a time on this game, either PvP'ing, farming or raiding. I would skip meals, or order pizza off the internt cause I could tab out in windows mode, order my pizza, then go back to playing. I ignored a lot of people when the game first came out. I used to have a social life, and ride my Harley around. After launch day, my friends would stop by to ask if I wanted to ride or go out for a few beers and I would always tell them I am busy. I would play from the minute I got home from work until sometimes the next day when it was time to shower and go to work again. I was married at this time as well, and my marriage fell apart. You cant move a city bred girl from Cali to the country side of PA to work and ignore her for a video game and think life is great at the same time. She moved away, we divorced and I became even more addicted to the game.

I now have 4 level 70 characters and a bunch of different low characters on different servers. Only thing I usually do now is use WoW as a messenger to keep in touch with real life friends on different servers who still play. This is where I need some advice. Christmas time last year my friend started playing. She's married, husband is in the army, leaving for Korea soon, and she has few kids. She's addicted to WoW and hates me when I tell her she is. She has been playing 6 months and has 3 level 70 characters already. She gets up, 8 AMish or whenever the baby gets up and gets on WoW and sometimes when I log off yahoo at 2 AM, she is still on WoW. Earlier she told me I sound too much like her damn husband when I told her she needs to take a break, that she's an addict.

I dont want her to end up where I was. But she continues to think that "its just a game". It is just a game....if you let it be that. An outlet to have some fun when your bored or dont have other things to do. She asked me today what I do in my spare time. I read, play with my beautiful 3 year old Siberian Husky, remodel my parents house for them, and go out. I tell her this and her snide comment is something along the effects of her going out with the neighbor to cheat on her husband.

Any advice. Because what helped me stop my addiction is clearly not gonna help her stop hers. I quit playing 24/7 cold turkey. Some might find that as a shock, but I did the same thing with smoking 3 years ago. Cold Turkey. Its a matter of knowing what the right thing to do is, and doing it. I realize some may need outside help, I know I did when my doctor diagnosed me as a border line alcoholic and that I needed help. That and the realization that a military court martial was gonna be slapped on me if I didn't seek help for the trouble and mischief I had caused drinking night after night. Thats why I turn to you guys. You might have some insight to help me help her in ways I don't know how.

-Thanks, Shane