I am addicted to WoW. There were a few subjects I had in mind that I wanted to discuss here at PC, and my WoW addiction was one of them. Lo and behold this thread exists and WoW has been mentioned a few times.

The special effects remind me of a slot machine. I'm guessing that the same pleasure centers in the brain are stimulated by WoW and slot machines.

I have an addictive personality by nature. I have been addicted to lots of horrible stuff. I still am, in tobacco. I smoke two packs a day. The only way I have resolved the addictions is by removing the addictive substance or activity entirely from my life. Being on disability helps immensely as I simply don't have the money for alcohol, drugs, gambling, or any other thing I could possibly be addicted to.

It seems addictions are often resolved by becoming addicted to something else instead. I know I'm addicted to WoW because of this principle. I wouldn't have even heard of the game except my friend told me that you can sell high-level characters on craigslist. Then my rationalization was that I was going to make a living by playing WoW. That is so far from the truth. For 20-30 days of play time, the character can be sold for maybe $100-$200 and that is certainly not a living wage.

As I don't work or have any responsibilities (basically), my addiction is fortunately not adversely affecting my life.