INTERNET ADDICTION

Ten years ago, the only people who spent a majority of their leisure time on the computer were paid
members of the technology industry. Today, however, surfing the Web has become a pastime as
social and marketable as bar hopping or going to the movies. As the web has become a part of
mainstream life, some mental health professionals have noted that a percentage of people using the
web do so in a compulsive and out-of-control manner. In one extreme (1997) Cincinnati case,
unemployed mother Sandra Hacker allegedly spent over 12 hours a day secluded from her three
young and neglected children while she surfed the Web. For better or for worse, this phenomena of
compulsive Internet use has been termed 'Internet Addiction' based on its superficial similarity to
common addictions such as smoking, drinking, and gambling. Internet Addiction has even been
championed as an actual disorder, notably by psychologists Kimberly Young, Ph.D and David
Greenfield, Ph.D.. However, at this time the true nature of Internet Addiction is not yet determined.

In a true addiction, a person becomes compulsively dependent upon a particular kind of stimulation
to the point where obtaining a steady supply of that stimulation becomes the sole and central focus
of their lives. The addict increasingly neglects his work duties, relationships and ultimately even his
health in his drive to remain stimulated. In some cases of addiction (such as addiction to alcohol or to
heroin), a phenomenon known as tolerance occurs, wherein more and more stimulation is required
to produce the same pleasurable effect. A related phenomena, withdrawal, can also occur, wherein
the addicted person comes to be dependent upon their source of stimulation and experiences
dramatically unpleasant (and even potentially lethal -- as can be the case with alcohol) reactions
when he goes without it. Sources of addictive stimulation can be chemical (as is the case with
addictive drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, nicotine and heroin), sensual (as in sex) or even
informational (as in gambling or workaholism). What all sources of addictive stimulation have in
common is that they provoke a strong, usually positive (at first) reaction in the potential addict, who
then seeks out the source of that stimulation so as to obtain that feeling on a regular basis.

While many people like to engage in sexual relations, or gamble, or have the occasionally drink
because of the pleasure to be had, clearly not all people who do so are addicts. Rather, the term
addiction only applies when someone's stimulation seeking gets to the point where it starts
interfering with their ability to function normally and non-neglectfully at work and in relationships.

Mental health professionals are split as to whether or not Internet addiction is real. No one disputes
that some people use the Internet in a compulsive manner even to a point where it interferes with
their their ability to function at work and in social relationships. What is disputed is whether people
can become addicted to the Internet itself, or rather to the stimulation and information that the web
provides. The controversy surrounding Internet Addiction is precisely whether people become
addicted to the net itself, or to the stimulation to be had via the net (such as online gambling,
pornography or even simple communication with others via chat and bulletin boards).
Some psychologists do not believe in addiction to the Internet itself, but rather in addiction to
stimulation that the Internet provides. They suggests that new Internet users often show an initial
infatuation with the novelty of the Web, but eventually lose interest and decrease their time spent
online back to a normal, healthy amount. Those users who do go on to show compulsive Internet
utilization, for the most part become compulsive only with regard to particular types of information
to be had online, most often gambling, pornography, chat room or shopping sites. This is not an
addiction to the Internet itself, but rather to risk-taking, sex, socializing or shopping. In essence then,
the chief addictive characteristic of the Internet is its ability to enable instant and relatively
anonymous social stimulation. “Addicted” Internet users are addicted to a favored kind of social
stimulation and not to the Internet itself, although it is also true that the Internet has made it vastly
easier and more convenient for someone to develop such a compulsion.

Because the Internet is used by many people as a normal part of their career or education, knowing
how to separate excessive from normal use becomes difficult and cannot be accomplished using
simple measures such as amount of time spent online in a given period. Most fundamental in
differentiating normal from problem Internet use is the experience of compulsion to use the net.
Normal users, no matter how heavy their usage, do not need to get online and do not neglect their
occupational duties or their relationships with family and friends to get online.

Help for Internet related addiction is available from multiple sources. Anyone concerned about
serious problem Internet usage should consider consulting with a local licensed psychologist, social
worker or counselor, specifically one with experience treating addictions. Cognitive therapy based
approaches are recommendable due to their systematic and direct focus on reducing problem use
and preventing relapse, and the strong scientific support for the approach. Marital and or family
therapy approaches may be useful as well when an individual's Internet Addiction is affecting their
larger family system (such as might be the case when a husband uses Internet-based pornography as
his sole sexual outlet, leaving his wife frozen out). More than a few books and self-help resources
(such as audio tape sets) are also available for those who want to educate themselves on the
problem. Our Internet Addiction Treatment article provides further detail.

What is addiction?

Addiction in our world today is the reason for most of our deaths. We as a country need to do
whatever we can to knock down the rate of people dying due to addiction. The three most common
addictions in the world are alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Addiction is the compulsive physical and
psychological need for something that controls people lives.

Addiction can invade just about any area in a person’s life. “Addiction is a compulsive need to
continue taking a drug as a result of taking in the past (Oxford English Dictionary).” Another definition
for “addiction is a disease of faulty volition caused by a cognitive impairment that results in
negatively valued actions or consequences (Campbell).” An addict’s habit is a big part of their lives
and it is very difficult for a person to live without what they need. When a person thinks of addiction
the first thing that might come to their mind is drugs or alcohol. There are many types of addictions
for instance people can be addicted to videogames, the Internet, sex, or even gambling.

A lot of people feel that addiction is hard to control, and that addiction can really get out of control.
Addiction is different for everyone, but there are some similarities. “Addiction may be described as
the compulsive use of chemical agents which are harmful to the individual (Bejerot 3).” Addiction is
known for being very dangerous. “Addiction is a construct that only serves the powerful and serves
neither a medical, nor a social aim (Fromberg).” Addiction can be described in many ways and there
are many forms of addiction. People can be addicted to food, drugs, the Internet, or just about
anything. A gambling addict would put gambling over their families, friends, or maybe even work.
Addiction to sex would make a person become a prostitute or make a person become a child
molester. Addiction doesn’t only affect the person but their families and social environment.

The Internet is the largest and most versatile source of information in the world today. With its web
sites and chat rooms, it is a way of communicating with people in places all over the world. Since its
conception in 1973, the Internet has grown at an astounding rate. A survey conducted by Intelli
Quest Information Group Inc. showed that 51 million adults age 16 or older, were on-line as of the
second quarter 1997 in the United States alone. To many people the Internet is so enjoyable that it is
almost addictive. The problem is that researchers are now beginning to consider Internet Addiction.
Studies are revealing that there may be an actual form of addiction involved with over-use of the
Internet. Identifying which category of addiction the Internet falls into is the problem. There are no
real answers yet because research in this area is at the beginning stages. While lost in this so called
‘Cyber Community’ for long periods of time, people are neglecting other important activities like;
time with the family, socializing, work and health concerns. One of the most extensive studies on
Internet Addiction to date was conducted by Dr. Kimberly S. Young of the University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford. In her study, she revealed concrete evidence supporting the Internet Addiction claim.
However, help for web addicts is available. There are several web sites available for the treatment of
Internet addiction, as well as counseling centers and clinics.

Is it a condition, or is it just Internet? With all this power at our fingertips, are there any negative
impacts of using this interface? Are we as humans capable of interacting with such a powerful
communication source? Recent studies are beginning to uncover evidence that would suggest that
maybe some of us are not so adept at dealing with such highly developed technology. In fact, as
more research is conducted, experts are finding that the Internet may show indications of being
addictiv...

Internet Users turn into Addicts

As I sit here and look across the street, I see my neighbor in front of his own computer; the screen
glowing against the window behind him. He does not use his personal computer for work, he is a
farmer. He has become what is known as an "Internet Junky". Internet means a network of networks,
a super highway that links online services and computer networks at companies, universities, and
government agencies all around the world. Internet usage has become very popular with in the past
years. It is used for entertainment, communication and resources. It has become an important tool
which many people have in their homes and children as well as adults are able to use it. The Internet
plays a very important role in technology today, however there can be many negative aspects of
Internet usage which can lead to addiction. Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is a big threat to users.
It has symptoms that can mislead your life, family and job. Some symptoms users have are as follows,
anxiety, psychomotor agitation and persistent desire to go on the net. The Internet is rapidly
becoming an addictive source. The users may not be aware of this since it begins slowly. The
addiction begins innocently. At the start, you are not even aware of the possibilities that may form
from your excessive computer use. You begin to take an avid interest in e-mailing with your friends
and family. Once the novelty of keeping in touch through e-mail wears off, and researching starts to
bore you, you may possibly expand your computer usage to chatting. Internet usage is becoming
more acceptable in our lives, but it is looked down upon by many skeptics. Chatting through the
Internet involves choosing an appropriate nickname for yourself, such as Hotstuff, and then finding a
chat room of interest. Once you entered that chat room, other fellow chatters may say, "Hello...a/s/l
(age/sex/location) please." These are a few of the negati.