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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 persons 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 addicts 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 doesnt 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.

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