US centre charges $14,500 to cure net addiction
By Techgirl

America has doctors and experts who can help patients addicted to booze, drugs, cigarettes and even sex. Psychologists can help you if you fear flying or are scared of pet animals. Now America has its first Detox Center for Internet Addicts.  This center for net addicts makes it a point to let you know that it is located close to Redmond (home of Microsoft). 

Apart from the clinic at Redmond, Washington there is also another center at Seattle. A check of their site and background reveals that it is backed and run by qualified experts.

The restart program can take up to one and half months. In keeping with the American health system, all fees for prolonged stays are due in advance within 7 days of the next anticipated completion date. Program fees are non-refundable. America’s first Detox Center for Internet Addicts says it finds solutions to the addictive behavior that devastates marriages, careers, schooling, family life and health.

According to the centre, as many as 6 – 10 percent of Americans are addicted to the internet in varying degrees. They also make they slightly unbelievable claim that both China and South Korea have designated Internet Addiction as their #1 public health danger and have responded by developing multiple treatment programs.

I decided to check out the fees as I sometimes feel that I am addicted to the internet.  It is not cheap.  The ‘Application Fee’ is $200.  A 2-Day Screening interview is $800.  The top of the range 45-Day retreat center stay at $322 a day adds up to $14,500.

Check out the virtual tour to see the centers scenic location.

What do you think? Do you think we will see such centers in India soon?

Techgoss note: Techgirl is a senior Tech journalist who reports on the IT, KPO and KPO Sectors for a leading media house.  In her spare time, she dabbles in satire in her blog http://techgirltalk.blogspot.com