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The 12-step approach was first formulated by Alcoholics Anonymous and has since been adopted by Sex Addicts Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other addiction groups. Here is a version of the 12 steps adapted from the original 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and intended for use towards dysfunctional video gaming behavior. I've also created a secular version for the agnostics and atheists out there:

Secular 12 Steps
1. We admitted we were powerless over video game addiction -that our lives had become unmanageable.

Kai submitted the following post which is a collection of excellent WoW addiction videos. I've reposted on the blog for posterity's sake.
Addicts Mum cancels his account and he has a fit.
Mild temper from lag.
Ex-Addict on becoming addicted to WoW.

Emily Yoffe at Slate has written a great article about why the Internet is so addictive. The primitive human desire to search for things - food and sex - is a powerful one that drives our will to live. The neurotransmitter - dopamine - underlies this will to search and according to Panskepp, a neuroscientist, humans are able to get just as excited about abstract rewards as tangible ones. This is where the connection to WoW addiction comes in...

When does a casual WOW player become addicted?

A causal player tips towards addiction when the feeling of control that the player attains in their game environment and relationships starts to surpass the amount of control that they have in real life. At this point, WOW players begin to lose control of their WOW habit much the same way an alcohol drinker loses control of his drinking habit. He or she begins to lose control of how much time they spend playing and even the times the choose to play.

What if doctors were trained to recognize video game overuse and counsel their patients on moderation… Video game deaths similar to the death of a Korean male who died after playing StarCraft 50 hours straight can be prevented, and should be.

There are many communities and resource centers online geared towards helping people fight their video game addictions. Below are some of our favorite sites:

WoWQuit.com : WoW Addiction Resources for parents

The Daedalus Project : Research on MMORPG's

Video-game-addiciton.net : Resources on video game addiction

WoWQuit.com : WoW Addiction Resources for parents

For most people who play World of Warcraft, WoW is a pleasant escape to the daily hum-drum of eating, working, and sleeping. For most gamers who play a moderate amount of WoW their gaming habit is not harmful. However, many people get into serious trouble because they develop an obsessive addiction to WoW.