Vietnam Offers Game Addiction Rehab

19 Nov 2008 at 11:35:58 by Andy Alderson

A rehab clinic for people addicted to playing video games has opened in Vietnam.

The nation's first clinic for addicted gamers has opened in Ho Chi Minh City and offers treatment through social work and activities like music, painting, dance and sports.

According to the Vietnam News Service, there are six million gamers in Vietnam, despite the first video game arriving there only four years ago. Most are aged between 13 and 18.

Huynh Hong Hiep, head of training at the Southern Youth Centre (the organisation behind the rehab clinic) said many parents are unable to stop their children from playing games.

The news follows recent reports of a Swedish teenager who suffered an epileptic seizure after playing World of Warcraft for 24 hours straight.

Stay tuned for a report on the psychological and physical effects of extended gaming sessions coming soon.

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