This is a follow-up from someone whose story was posted a year ago (January 11, 2005)

"I ... broke up with my ex because of his addiction; but he never quit the game. He didn't think it was an addiction either; and maybechemically it's not...but I think anyone who can't (won't?) give up something as trivial as a videogame for a person they claim to love has a real problem of some kind, and I choose to call it addiction for lack of a better word. If you don't like that one, "unhealthy obsession to the exclusion of everything else" works too.

We broke up about a year ago, and he goes through cycles; but in general, I would say he's still pretty addicted. Maybe slightly less than before, because he doesn't skip work as often as before. And every once in awhile he does yard work. But he probably still plays 30+ hours a week. Some 'hobby.'

Bitter? Yeah, a bit. ;)

... in general, I think what an addict is missing is a healthy sense of esteem. They feel frustrated or powerless intheir own life (to varying degrees, and for varying reasons), and they find a fantasy world where they can escape their own negative
self-image ... and, bonus, it's way easier to achieve success there. Everyone's as attractive as they want to be, and all you have to have is time.

It doesn't hurt that there's social interaction either. I think everyone craves acceptance and friends who "understand" them. And they're easy to come by in these games. In real life, it takes much more work."