Hi All,
Are you ever in that situation where a close friend is having a problem, you offer advice but that's not enough? Well it's come to that - I will be as brief as possible but I'm hoping for some input from anyone who can suggest a solution. I have offered my advice and I'm not repeating it here because I'm keen to know what everyone else thinks. I have a very good friend who's currently going through a divorce, is also in need of surgery that has a high risk of paralasis or death - and to top it all, her son is severely addicted to World of Warcraft.
Gaming Addict background:
Parents had problems and messy divorce proceedings commenced in 2007 (still on going), father was 'mental' bully. Addict was physically active in mid-teens, in late teens had stable relationship and job, became a 'light' World of Warcraft player (early twenties), was made redundent (with payout equal to 4 months pay), spent large amount of payout taking partner on expensive holiday, she left him possibly because of addiction to WoW (World of Warcraft) and/or because of lack of motivation to seek employment. The addict makes payments directly to the broadband providers, mother pays phone bill. There are others living in the house that work from home and so phone line cannot be disconnected as they need the internet connection.
Gaming addict current daily movements:
starts gaming at 2pm, finishes at approx 2am. never goes out, does not have a regular intake of fluid or food. Does not see real physical friends or socialise, ignores the few friends he has when gaming. Makes minimal contact with mother. Mother tells him that he needs to get a job and get out the house - he becomes angry or says he will and then doesn't.
Mother's attempts to resolve:
She is supportive based on the advice of the doctor prescribing anti-depressents and tries to maintain communication, but normally transfers to giving instructions to addict. Mother also offers him dinner and cooks for him most days of the week because she is concerned for his health. Mother prompts addict to do basic household tasks, such as taking the bin out or mowing the lawn, son says yes but does not do tasks. Mother has successfully got him to a job centre when he's not 'raiding' and he is now on benefit to the best of my knowledge.
Overall:
This is an extreme situation, as much as the mother tries to do what's right and 'motherly', the addict is still playing every day and does nothing else. His one close friend (who also lives in the same house), emails the addict during the day and he ignores his emails. When asked why he didn't respond to his emails, he said that he was either 'on a mission' or 'couldn't be bothered.
Any advice welcome, as are any questions. I'm asking this on behalf of my friend because she has enough to deal with as it is. Be assured that right now if the addict fell over and died, it would not bother me in the slightest - my primary concern is the mother/my friend. It is her that is being torn apart with the usual questions of "am I being a bad parent", "what am I doing wrong", "I can't be cruel to be kind", etc.
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Subject: Please help me help a World of Warcraft addict 
Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:00 pm