'The Game'

The game consisted of a dozen or so addicts sitting in a circle. One player would start talking about the appearance or behavior of another, picking out their defects and criticizing their character. As soon as the subject of the attack tried to defend him or herself, other players would join the barrage unleashing a no holds barred verbal onslaught. Vlogarity was encouraged. Emotional catharsis was the aim. There were only two rules, no drugs and no physical violence. It was vicious, but it actually seemed to work.