This was such a good read, I knew WoW could be addicting for some people but I had no idea it could have this big of an impact, I can\'t imagine how hard hitting that conversation with your daughter could be, the feeling of sorrow, and instant regret must have been extremely painful. I\'m glad you\'ve managed to pull through, keep your daughter happy and proud!    I\'ve paid for around 5 months worth of WoW in about 3 intervals, but I don\'t really enjoy it so much, the leveling became tedious. Then I got a R.A.F from someone else I know, and played it for about 2 months. I quit after he did, I only found it fun playing with a group of friends and when RAFing. It\'s also very hard for someone new starting WoW, as all the best guilds are taken, making a new guild wouldn\'t get you anywhere. And as you said, some people can play WoW and still maintain a social life. My friends also been playing since the open beta back in 2004, and still plays today, but still has a large group of friends and a career in games design ahead of him.     I have a slight addiction to energy drinks it has to be said. I used to think they were meaningless cans of fizzy unhealthy-ness, but about 2 years ago at the age of 13 when I started really getting into some serious online gaming (I\'ve been gaming since the age of 3 with pokemon), I started buying them as I heard they can improve reaction times and keep you awake. 2 years later I\'m still drinking 1 or 2 cans a day and I\'ve started getting some really bad heart pains at rest, which is never a good thing. I\'m cutting down, having maybe 2 or 3 a week, but it\'s still not good enough, I\'m having massive withdrawal headaches and craving sprite! I\'m ashamed in myself that I let it happen, but I\'m slowy and surely putting them down. 

 I\'d played WoW from the release of Lich King to about 3/4 months ago.   I have to say it can be pretty devastating to certain people but I\'d also like to say that in my own case, I now have many friends (who I talk to everyday) even after quiting as well as that one of those friends got me hooked up with my girlfriend to and things couldn\'t be better then since I quit.   The only reason I quit the game was because of Mists Of Pandaria, I never felt like there was anything more I could get from not playing - I had a choice, Join my friends with drinking, drugs and smoking or play a game with people I actually cared more for just because they were more genuine people.   World Of Warcraft or any MMO can be bad for certain people but thats not to say it is for everyone however I respect the courage to admit addication to it and many would shurg it off but I\'m fully aware of how the game drags you in.   Its a simple rehtoric with Wow: Player grinds levels, dungeons, raids, gear because they feel they have to, not specifically having a good time in doing so thought but the urge to progress is strong enough to continue.   The same could be said for many MMO\'s, In WoW\'s defence.

Some people can play World of Warcraft and maintain their life.     I have kept telling myself that and I fooled myself...Twice! Sooner or later you'll get addicted either because of the social aspect of the game, or because you just want to fll one more box from lvl 75 to 76...and then another one. 

Incredible article, one of the best I've ever read. Congratulations for overcoming your addiction.

 Great and meaningful article. This especially hits home with me as I've had very similar experiences up until the moment I decided to quit and leave WoW behind.   Hope you remain strong.

 I wasn't going to read this article until I saw who wrote it...   Thank you for being so open and honest, I'm really happy to hear you're bouncing back. Stay strong my friend.

Great story JeriKu! Though when The Old Republic comes out it is going to be hard for me to resist getting sucked back into the world of MMORPG's

Great article. I will never let myself get this absorbed in a videogame.

Wow Jeriku   Im ashamed to say just now was the first time Ive read your article   But it is honestly one of the best articles I have ever read. I am so happy that you overcame your addiction buddy.   What a touching story.

The article is great, a touching story as well. Thanks for the great read Glad you were able to beat the addiction man! Sounds like it was really rough