Two things.
1: I reckon he's lying and he was completely addicted to the game. WHen he was found out he used the oldes cop out in the book!
2: I never played these type of games but the stories of addiction I hear in relation to them puts me off ever wanting to try them. I play my PS4 too much as it is.. imagine I got hooked on one of those. And I have a lot of money saved I could lose. Scary thought.