Alex was an exceptionally bright kid. At 13, he had just returned home from summer camp, he had skipped a grade, and loved science. At the summer camp he attended, he had programmed a computer game that he had invited his family to play. One particular August afternoon would have been just like any other for 13 year old Alex and his family- except for the way it had ended.
As reported by Salon Magazine, Alex had just finished some summer homework, and his mother, Susan, was cooking some dinner. Alex’s little brother Zach was working on homework as well. Zach asked Alex to setup a board game for them to play later. “I’ll do it later” said Alex. This would be the last time Alex would be seen alive.
Alex had learned of a something called “The Choking Game,” a game where someone asphyxiates themselves for a natural high. Although it is technically legal, it is extremely dangerous. The most common age of death, 13, was Alex’s age. Many kids who do well in school or have loving families participate in this game as a legal alternative to drugs.
The Warning Signs
Susan always wondered if she had found Alex earlier, that he would have been ok. But she had never heard of the choking game before, so she didn’t recognize the signs. She had found “practice” knots in strings of yarn laying around the house. He would complain of headaches and would get bloodshot eyes. She had noticed marks around her sons neck, but when she asked about them he had just shrugged them off. She figured they were from the roughhousing he and his brother frequently participating in.
As tragic and heartbreaking as this story is, it is a far too common one. It seems to be all positives for those who play- it’s easy, fun and safe(not really). It’s totally legal, takes less than a minute, and you get a good high for free. They mistakingly think that it is just a game.