October 5, 2003
Text Messaging Addiction
Compulsive text messaging is the latest addiction sending sufferers rushing to The Priory clinic in south-west London. Apparently, a growing number of people cannot stop sending text messages on their mobile phones.
According to Dr Mark Collins, the head of the clinic's addictions unit - better known for helping people with drink, drugs, sex and gambling problems - : "We've really noticed it in the past 18 months. There has been a big rise in the number of behavioural addictions, and many involve texting." [The Telegraph]
This is not the first report on text addiction. In October 2000 already, a Scandinavian chauffeur was booked into a clinic for SMS addiction after his habit left him sending more than 200 e-chat messages daily.
The SMS junkie was treated at Danish clinic which specialises in treating pathologic gamblers and Internet addicts. Michael Joersel, head of the institution's Net therapy centre, is quoted at the time for saying "he expected a growing number of SMS chat addicts to start seeking help". [The Register - 06/10/2000]
Update 13.10.01 Japan Times has an interesting editorial on the British clinic's rehabilitation center and it's treatment for patients for addiction to text messaging.
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