Internet Detox Center Opens Near Microsoft
By Kevin Parrish, published on August 19, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Internet, Addiction, Bootcamp, Washington, eStart | Themes: The Internet, Smartphones, Laptops and Notebooks, Digital Entertainment, Desktop Computers
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An Internet detox center has established itself right down the road from Microsoft.

ZoomIf memory serves correct, the last article describing an Internet bootcamp of sorts reported that one of its enlisted "addicts" checked in alive and wound up beaten to death. Granted this incident took place in China, the thought of any need for a bootcamp or "detox" center seems a bit outlandish. Yet when World of Warcraft consumes gamers or cellphone owners are spending more time texting than actually talking, the term "Internet addiction" comes into play.

TechFlash leads to an announcement that an actual Internet "detox" center has established itself in Fall City, Washington, just miles away from Microsoft's main headquarters. The 45-day program itself is called the reStart Internet Addiction Recovery Program, and costs a whopping $14,500 that supposedly helps Internet and video game "addicts overcome their dependence on gaming, gambling, chatting, texting and other aspects of Internet Addiction."

According to the reStart press release, 5 to 10-percent of the online population is dependent on one or more aspects of cyber technology and the Internet. Gamers are apparently the biggest addicts of them all, playing life-leeching titles such as World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and other involved MMORPGs. The press release also points out that both China and South Korea have already established similar Internet bootcamp programs, and slates Internet addiction as a #1 public health danger.

"The mission of this innovative program is to help adults, addicted to video games and the internet, detach from their high-tech distractions, find balance, and reconnect to the real world," the press release stated.

To find out if you need these "detox" services, check out this questionnaire. Three or four positive responses indicate Internet abuse; five responses suggest an addiction. While my wife passed the inspection with flying colors, evidently I will die from Internet addiction any minute now, as I agreed with every sign and symptom listed. Yikes.

TechFlash leads to an announcement that an actual Internet "detox" center has established itself in Fall City, Washington