Many therapists believe virtual worlds can help clients deal with fears or addictions and experiment with new behaviors and means of expression.  Some rehab centers are offering after care treatment via virtual chat rooms with avatars representing the addicts and therapists.  You can talk to the other person, instead of typing, so it seems like you're really there.  The setting is often exactly the same as the rehab facility.  This is such a good idea, a lot of people can feel more free to open up, since they're not right there in front of people.  Also, these virtual worlds can be used for other things besides addictions, even getting over fears like flying, heights, even spiders and shyness.

I think this could help some people. I hate going to NA meetings and I hate having everyone look at me and know that I am an addict. I'm ashamed of it. I'm embarassed that one day they see me walking down the street and say "hey that guy was a heroin addict I saw him in NA" I think a virtual meeting would be so much better and it would help me a lot.