In the game, players create avatars in whose guise they spend hours with other players fighting battles. “There’s lots of working together,” says Alexander. “That’s what made it so attractive, because the social thing was something I always had trouble with. It was a lot easier to socialize and make friends online than it was in real life.”

The 19-year-old’s interest in the game soon developed into an obsession. He began (E) ________ his biology lectures at university and spending up to 17 hours a day online. Eventually he had depression diagnosed and was (F) ________ medication. He was also treated (G) ________ internet addiction.

Alexander admits that he needed help: “I don’t think I would have been able to get out of it myself.”