This internet culture is used to transform the lives of people with WoW addiction. It provides a safe environment for people to reveal their vulnerabilities, share their experiences, and ask for help. The internet has made it more convenient to quit because it is very easy for people to share websites or videos that have been effective in their defeat of the game. The accessibility of the website yields instant communication and access to information which is beneficial to addicts because they can immediately share their story or read other stories that may give them hope and inspiration to overcome their addiction.
WOWaholics allows for addicts to login and post testimonials of their fixation of WoW, how they are working to overcome their dependence, and share their stories of success. This website also provides a space where fellow addicts can congregate if they feel their addiction is building again. Other members can comment on the testimonials and offer helpful insights on how to “stay clean” and not succumb to the game. 24 hours access to WOWaholics makes this culture valuable because addicts have round the clock access to help.
Online communication can be a great way to receive help at any time of the day. Source: SantaBanta
In addition to addict testimonials, the site also features posts from the loved ones of WoW addicts seeking help to bring their loved one back to reality. Obsession with the power and excitement of the game, WoW addicts have been known to spend 15+ hours a day in the online world, lose their jobs, ignore their significant others, abandon their children, and eat microwave food so they can continue playing the game while eating.
A major addicting aspect of WoW is that the game is never ending. At the end of each level, there is always a new task, more loot to accumulate, new skills to learn, and more realms to explore. In order to break the obsession with the game, people have been known to delete their friends or children’s accounts and addicts have deleted their physical game disks so that they could not physically play. WOWaholics is a space that allows positive encouragement to occur so that WoW addicts have the support they need to stay sober.
A main aspect of the site is the 12 Steps to Quit WoW. This program reflects other rehabilitation and addiction groups but has been adapted to the videogame world.
This is a screenshot of the 12 Steps provided on the WOWaholics website. Source: Jennifer Warren
WOWaholics is a powerful tool because it allows people to diagnose if they are addicted to WoW. Self-diagnosis is a positive attribute of this internet culture because it allows the addicts to gain some control back into their lives. Many times self-awareness and self-desire to change is the catalyst to overcoming an addiction. A fellow WoW addict stated that WOWaholics assisted him in defeating his addiction.
I’ve been off it for only a week, but i know that i can get over it and move on. Writing this has helped me and I hope it helps others too. People who i now would like to call my peers for wanting to be associated with them, not for the reason I mentioned above. -iRozzle
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFzF6j0-CxA[/youtube]
This video explores the foundation of WOWaholics and the ways WoW changes lives! Source: YouTube