First American Internet Addiction Treatment Center

An anonymous reader writes "Taking their lead from China, two Americans have opened the first US-based Internet Addiction treatment center in Fall City, Wash. — ironically close to Redmond (Microsoft's hometown). The center, called reStart: Internet Addiction Recovery Program, is a 45-day treatment center where, for a steep set of fees, people can be cured of their addiction to the Web. After paying the $200 application fee, addicts are charged $14,500 for the 45 days, an additional $800 for a screening, and more for extra services, like kayaking ($1,575)."

Forgive me if I'm skeptical

[rehtonAesoohC]

They didn't talk about the qualifications of the people who run this place, only that they are:

Two friends -- Cosette Rae, a clinical social worker, and author Hilarie Cash

Now, these people could be people devastated by personal loss due to too much World of Warcraft by a loved one... or they could be two people who are fearmongerers desperately trying to leech cash out of rich Microsoft yuppie parents who can't figure out how to pull the plug on their kid's computerboxstation360.

All I'm saying is the article doesn't mention anything about them, and given the lack of PhD or even MD behind the names... I'll say nothing to see here, move along.

Re:Website?

[Col. Klink (retired)]

So, do they have a website?

Of course. http://www.netaddictionrecovery.com/ [netaddictionrecovery.com]

Myspace page?

Don't be silly.

Twitter page?

Yep. http://twitter.com/GetYourLifeBack [twitter.com]

Facebook page?

Yep. http://www.netaddictionrecovery.com/social-network/facebook.html [netaddictionrecovery.com]

Youtube channel?

They're probably still working on it...

P.T. Barnum Had it Right

[whisper_jeff]

"There's a sucker born every minute."

Sorry, but anyone who pays over $15k to "cure" themselves of addiction to the internet is an idiot. I can cure it for you faster, easier, and cheaper - in fact, you'll MAKE money.

Cancel.

Your.

Internet.

There. I saved you over $15k.

Sorry for the lack of sympathy but there are people out there with real addictions who need help. "Internet addiction" is a complete joke.

And, for anyone who is about to point out people who have an obsessive need to be online, don't confuse OCD behaviour with addiction. The two are different. One may lead to the other but they are not the same. People aren't addicted to the internet. Sorry.

Re:Why is this tagged with...

[paazin]

According to Memory Alpha [memory-alpha.org]:

"Shaka, when the walls fell" - failure

So, my guess it's just generic Star Trek geek for 'epic fail'