Maressa Hecht Orzack had her share of addiction to computer games, specifically Solitaire - the card game built into millions of desktop and laptop computers. After overcoming her addiction, she now helps other "addicts" to break the habit as an assistant clinical professor at Harvard Medical School and director of the Computer Addiction Study Center at McLean Hospital in Belmont.

According to Orzack, games like The Sims, Everquest, or the hugely popular World of Warcraft draw millions of fans to wander into the massive online worlds that the games offer. Most of these gamers wander too far and can't seem to find their way out.

Blizzard claims to have more than 6.5 million active WoW subscriptions worldwide. As such, it is one of the most popular MMORPG in the world. Some WoW players admit that their addiction to the game has had negative effects on their family, social life, and even their relationship with co-workers. Hence, the term "World of Warcrack" entered the the gaming lingo.

US Air Force Staff Sergeant Joseph Hitchcock, of Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, shared his addiction experience on World of Warcraft. Due to his addiction to various computer games, his present wife divorced him in 2003. He started dating again but it didn't work out because he would prefer playing WoW than being with his girlfriend. Three months later, he and his wife reconciled and are now expecting a baby.

Blizzard Interactive's chief operating officer, Paul Sams, reacted upon hearing his company product likened to a mind-altering drug. He said that they utilize moderation techniques like when a player logs out of the game for a long time, he will receive an experience bonus, making the fantasy character a little stronger everytime the player takes a few hours off. There is also the parental control feature that limits kids' playtime online to one hour a night.

As for you gamers, we all know that too much of something is not always good. Gamers are advised not to confuse their real self with their game characters. Unlike our real self, these characters only need a potion or something to revive their health. Also, put in mind that we have a life separate from these games, and in focusing too much in these games, we may be putting our health, our social relationship with others at risk. Parents are likewise advised to monitor their children's gaming habits and be able to set a limit to their gaming time so they would be able to focus on other important things like their studies.

We've all heard of performance-enhancing drugs in sport. From testosterone sources to stimulants, anabolic steroids to Modafinil, "doping" has been widely frowned upon in the world of sports as it not only essentially promotes cheating, but can also be potentially dangerous to one's health. That scenario we all quite have a clear picture of. But in gaming?

Apparently, there seems to be this budding new culture in the gaming world where drugs take up the spotlight. Sure, we all know how tiring games can get, what with all the actions you have to deal with just to win. And it's no secret that there are gamers who do load up on Red Bull or Gatorade, or whatever popular energy drinks loaded with caffeine, sugar and various other stimulants of their choice to keep the adrenaline pumping. But what's been making more noise is the prescriptive drug Ritalin, which gamers use to stave off fatigue.

Ritalin - generic name methylphenidate - is more commonly used as treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome. Yes, it is for calming people down, and helps in the improvement of one's concentration. However, what makes this drug palatable to gamers is that it is actually a stimulant - and a powerful one, at that. In fact, because it is so potent, the US federal government has classified it as a Schedule II narcotic, along with opium, cocaine,
PCP, and Oxycontin. That's some heavy-tripping group!

This is not the first time, though, that Ritalin has been put under scrutiny. Prior to its gala in the gaming domain, the drug was already a popular choice among college students, especially for those late-night cramming sessions, and has earned the nickname "Vitamin R" and "R-ball". Alarm levels have been raised because of the growing trend of over-prescription and abuse of this drug.

I'm not really sure just how effective a deterrent the Schedule II classification is, but the fact is that Ritalin is not the only drug that is gaining popularity among gamers. There are amphetamines, nootropics or "smart drugs", and, if you're on the adventurous side, even an experimental mix of Ecstacy and Viagra will do. Gamers now have become more creative with their mix of uppers, that Marijuana-tripping while gaming can already be considered a classic combo.

Licensed psychologist Dr. Maressa Orzack, founder and coordinator of the Computer Addiction Services Clinic at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts that treat video game addiction, believes that heavy game play can lead to many gamers trying illicit substances to up their performance and stamina for playing. "Amphetamines and methamphetamines are becoming popular; they can certainly help you stay up for long hours and probably help enhance the excitement. A lot of gamers, particularly the addicted ones, try to find ways to avoid sleep and keep their concentration." She goes on to say that while her patients have not told her of Ritalin and amphetamines, she won't be surprised when someone does.

Last June, we reported on a detox clinic in Netherlands for gaming addicts. Now, a hospital in the United States offers pretty much the same thing. Located in Newton, Mass., the McLean Hospital actually has a "Computer Addiction Services" department, that aims to help people who are hopelessly immersed in video games.

The said department's coordinator, Dr. Maressa Orzack, believes that "game addiction is a true mental disorder." According to Orzack who has treated all types of addictions for 15 years, there's little difference between drug use, gambling and video game addiction. She adds that video games work on a theory pretty similar to gambling, called the "variable ratio reinforcement."

Basically, it means that players will set a goal (like finish a particularly a hard mission), and will keep playing until they accomplish it, even if they fail doing it a couple of times. However, they would still keep playing even if they reach the said goal. Thing is, before the players know it, they're addicted. They're already immersed in that "particular gaming world," and see it as a way to escape problems in real life.

Orzack's prescription? "Video game addicts" should accept their problem and be willing to change. And therein lies probably the biggest problem as most people don't see video games as "potentially harmful," as opposed to getting hooked on drugs or other vices. She also adds that there should be "warning labels" in video games packages, pretty much like the warning labels in cigarettes.

What about you? Do you agree with her? Share us your thoughts.