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My niece is 17 and addicted to computer games.
She plays all night, barely sleeps, doesn’t eat and has missed so much of her college course, I am sure she will fail. She also has ADHD.
In the UK, the NHS doesn’t recognise this is an addiction in the same way that drugs or drink are. In America, there is wide spread recognition and experts in the field.
Lack of help
Unless my sister can pay to see someone in Harley Street who as a recovering games addict is now a trained psychologist, there is no one able to help.
CAMS are unable to, although if my sister rang them stating her daughter was a drug addict, they would intervene. She is desperate.
My niece cannot cope with real life unless she is in her virtual space and when the computer is taken away, she smashes up everything within reach telling my sister that being without access is akin to chopping of her arms.
Sound familiar?
Does anyone out there have similar experience? Can anyone recommend someone to help?
My niece is unwilling to enter into any counselling. It is likely, as has even proven in the States when they looked at the profile of addicts, that she is depressed, cannot manage her feelings and carries a lot if anxiety.
Computer games act in the same was as drink and drugs do. They take the person away from whatever those uncomfortable feelings are. My sister needs support so any help is welcome.
Image: Marco Arment under CC BY 2.0
