It's funny how they blanket it as internet and video game addiction - but from the sound of it, it sounds more like a World of Warcraft addiction. That is one lethal game! I don't even think Final Fantasy Online has such an addict ratio of gamers - nor have I heard of really that many other games that get people latched on for 16 - 48 hours.
And let's look at addiction but the things in our life that brings us joy to the point of repetition. We're all addicted to something in our life, and it's common sense that everything else will fall apart if you devote all of your time to one thing.