A rehab facility in Scotland is offering a course for Bitcoin addicts in a bid to treat people obsessed with the virtual money.

Castle Craig Hospital in Peeblesshire, the Scottish Borders, will treat crypto-addicts alongside alcoholics, drug users and people battling other serious addictions.

According to experts, cryptocurrency trading addicts show the same kind of behavioural addictions as online gamblers.

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Castle Craig Hospital (pictured) in Peeblesshire, the Scottish Borders, is offering a course for cryptocurrency addicts in a bid to treat people obsessed with the virtual money

The West Linton facility said it now treats cryptocurrency addiction by using techniques found in gambling addiction programmes.

Castle Craig said there are no figures for the number of people addicted to cryptocurrency, but there are around 13 million people across the world trading in the system.

Bitcoin is the most recognisable name in the field of cryptocurrency, and has been in existence since 2010.

When it first launched, it was worth around $0.39 (£0.30), and reached a peak price late last year of almost $18,000 (£13,500).

Chris Burn, a gambling therapist at Castle Craig Hospital, said: 'The high risk, fluctuating cryptocurrency market appeals to the problem gambler.

'It provides excitement and an escape from reality. Bitcoin, for example, has been heavily traded and huge gains and losses were made. It's a classic bubble situation.'

The West Linton facility said it now treats cryptocurrency addiction by using techniques found in gambling addiction programmes. There are around 13 million people across the world trading in the system, with Bitcoin (pictured) being the most common

Some treatments at the centre will be led by Tony Marini, a former gambling and cocaine addict.

He said introducing a life structure is key for addicts.

'Having been through it myself, my experience of addiction gives me insight and empathy towards others who have the same problem,' therapist Mr Marini said.

'I see cryptocurrency trading as a way for people to escape from themselves, into another world, because they don't like the world they're in.

'The first stage of treatment is to join other addicts in group therapy and share their life stories. This helps them identify with each other and realise that they're not alone.'