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BSN III - P
  

a Bratter and Forest (1985; in Freeman, 1992)define


1992)define addiction as "a behavior pattern of compulsive drug use
characterized by overwhelming involvement...with the use of a drug and the securing of the supply, as well as
the tendency to relapse after completion of withdrawal." Like all other addictions, Internet addiction is a
psychophysiological disorder involving tolerance (the same amount of usage elicits less response; increased
amounts become necessary to evoke the same amount of pleasure), withdrawal symptoms especially, tremors,
anxiety, and moodiness), affective disturbances (depression, irritability), and interruption of social relationships
(a decline or loss, either in quality or quantity).

a Due to the nature of Internet Addiction Disorder (failed impulse control without involving an intoxicant), of all
other addictions, IAD is said to be closest to pathological gambling. However, the effects that the addiction can
have on every aspect of the person's life are just as devastating as those of alcoholism. Kimberly S. Young,
Psy.D.,
Psy.D ., conducted a study involving nearly 500 heavy Internet users. Their behavior was compared to the
clinical criteria used to classify pathological gambling as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders-
Disorders-IV, published by the American Psychiatric Association. Using this criteria, eighty percent of
the participants in the Young's study were classified as dependent Internet users. They "exhibited significant
addictive behavior patterns." She concludes that, "the use of the internet can definitely disrupt one's academic,
social, financial, and occupational life the same way other well-
well-documented addictions like pathological
gambling, eating disorders, and alcoholism can" (Young, 1996).
1996).

a There have been many attempts by medical doctors and sychologists to explain addiction disorders. These
theories include psychodynamic and personality explanations, sociocultural explanations, behavioral
explanations, and biomedical explanations. Not all explain any addiction perfectly, and some are better than
others at explaining Internet addiction.
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a Y  ~ A primary, chronic disease


characterized by impaired control over
the use of a psychoactive substance
and/or behaviour
behaviour.. Clinically, the
manifestations occur along biological,
psychological, sociological and spiritual
dimensions,´ (Schlimme
(Schlimme,, 2002).
  
 

a (ÊY
ÊY),
), or, more broadly, Internet overuse,
problematic computer use or pathological
computer use, is excessive computer use that
interferes with daily life. IAD was originally
proposed as a disorder in a satirical hoax by
Goldberg, M.D., in 1995.[1] He took
Ivan Goldberg,
pathological gambling as diagnosed by the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM
DSM--IV
IV)) as his model for the
description[2] of IAD.
<  
a Maladaptive pattern of use
characterized by the need for
increased amounts to achieve the
desired effect, unsuccessful efforts
to control its use, and substantial
effort expended to seek it or recover
from its effects´ (Wood & Cacciola,
Cacciola,
1997).






<<m
  

a The ones afflicted with this aliment are those who tend to be psychologically addicted or
dependant on pornography. It constitutes of symptoms such as monomaniacal viewing,
reading and thinking of pornography which will eventually be prejudicial towards one¶s life in
whole. Around the globe, every second there are 28,258 Net users who are viewing
pornography.

a However, since the induction of the Internet, it has allowed for much more convenient
transfers of files across the world. With the mainstreaming of broadband, gone are the days
when people pop down to the neighborhood video store and purchase a tape or DVD
pornography. With just a click of their mouse, large archives of adult videos could be easily
accessed. This has led to an increasing amount of underage viewers as online pornography
offers much more privacy for the viewers, without the need of age checks (even with the
various confirmations on the pornography websites, a simple and dishonest selection of age
would easily bypass this dispensable check).

a Furthermore, given the fact that online pornography is much more accessible (4.2 million, or
12% of the total number of websites on the Internet are pornography sites), more hardcore,
have a wider range and variety of adult videos, and with the concealment it offers, some
psychologists argue that online pornography is much stronger and addictive than ordinary
pornography. To quell their desire and addiction, the addicts consistently spend inordinate
amounts of time online sourcing for newer or increasingly hardcore pornography.
à 


a Video Game Addiction is another (proposed) form of psychological addiction, and is usually part of Internet
Addiction Disorder. Video Game Addiction constitutes of overwhelming and immoderate gaming, in particular
MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role- Role-playing Game). With games such as World of Warcraft having
8.5 million players worldwide, it is not hard to imagine why these online gaming communities are so expansive
and large. Those afflicted secludes themselves from the social world, often isolating themselves from their
families and friends. They devote all their energies towards the game, instead of engaging in real life activities.

a Given the interactivity in the various MMORPGs, it is not surprising that those addicted to the game will prefer
to to participate in the virtual world and would rather communicate with strangers online than to be involved in
face--to
face to--face personal interaction. Most notably, addicts spend their time when off the game thinking, imagining
or fantasizing about the game. With the average MMORPG gamer spending 20 to 25 hours a week on the
game (http://www.itfacts.biz/
(http://www.itfacts.biz/),
), it does not come as a surprise that these games had become the main part of a
gamer¶s life.

a It is also characterized by a requirement for increasing amounts of time spent on the game in order to gain
sufficient satisfaction. The game also becomes so integrated within the addict¶s life that there may be frequent
talks and mentioning of the game in daily life.

a In addition to the playing of the game itself, a large proportion of the addict¶s time is dedicated towards
activities pertaining to the game, such as purchasing game guide books, participation of forums discussing the
game, browsing of sites containing fan art and looking up on cheats or hints for the video game.

  

a While such an addiction hasn¶t been officially documented, it has
come to our attention that given the versatility of the online world, the
cyber realm is able to virtually emulate any real-
real-life entertainment in
digital form.

a Purchasing could be done within the comforts of your home with the
introduction of E-
E-shopping. The vice of gambling is just a click away
with the implementation of e-e-commerce, facilitating the use of credit
cards on gambling websites. Diaries, once tomes of one¶s private
feelings and life, are now on the Net in the form of blogs,
broadcasting to a worldwide audience the daily events they
encountered. Social interactions online in the form of online
communities such as Friendster.com and forum boards are now the
main source of inter-
inter-personal contact for many.
  
  


a With the emergence of online social network services such as Friendster and MySpace, mass
interaction and social contact online had since became a vital part of our cyberculture
cyberculture.. People
who have difficulty engaging in real-
real-life inter
inter--personal contact may have turned reliant towards
such sites to seek company. To gain virtual popularity on the Net, these people may spend an
overboard amount of time online trying to promote and improving their online profiles. They
may also spend an immoderate amount of time browsing other¶s profiles.

a These social network services, along with Instant Messaging, may also help in alleviating the
troubles of shy people suffering from difficulties in communicating verbally. However they may
develop a reliance on such online communication instead and become even more withdrawn or
shy as they lack the experience of face-
face-to
to--face communication. They may grow addicted to
online communication, often going online just to chat with friends (or even strangers), with the
comforts of being behind a computer screen to avoid personal contact, and the luxury of having
time to plan and slowly type out a reply, instead of immediate responses expected in a verbal
chat.

a Blogs have also spawned a new group of Internet users called the Bloggers´. These bloggers
frequently post online on their blogs, which originated from online diaries. With the main source
of popularity of blogs stemming from the interlinking of blogs, bloggers may obsessively spend
their time getting their blogs onto blogrolls
blogrolls´´ (affiliation with other blogs), so as to boost their e
e--
ego´ by having more viewers on their blogs.
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Accurate assessment of actual Internet use is difficult to determine because of
underreporting of hours spent on the Internet, either because of denial or because
of losing track of time while using (Young & Rodgers, 1998a). One way to get a
clearer picture of the problem of Internet use is to interview not only the individual
user, but also his or her significant others, including sympathetic co-
co-workers.
Regarding problematic use, studies indicate that significant social, vocational, and
financial distress can occur if Internet usage exceeds 20 to 25 hours per week
(Brenner, 1997; Chou & Hsiao, 2000; Shapira et al., 2000). Nondependent users
average 2.5 to 5 hours of Internet use per week (Chou & Hsiao, 2000; Davis,
Smith, Rodrigue,
Rodrigue, & Pulvers,
Pulvers, 1999; Kraut et al., 1998; Average web usage, 2001;
Nie & Erbring
Erbring,, 2000). Internet
Internet--dependent individuals average 8 to 40 hours per
week (Chou & Hsiao, 2000; Davis et al., 1999; Young 1996). Nie and Erbring
(2000) found a positive correlation between the number of years online and the
number of hours spent online. To repeat, accurate assessment of use may require
family or co-
co-worker feedback to bypass potential denial where a real problem may
exist.
+
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a Significant differences exist in the types of content accessed by
Internet dependents and nondependents
nondependents.. People who are Internet
dependent spend the majority of their time online engaged in
social activities such as participating in newsgroups, chat rooms,
MUDs, and bulletin boards. People who are nondependent tend to
spend the majority of their time in web browsing and
communications through email. A key difference between
dependent and nondependent use of the Internet is that addicts
use the Internet to engage in new relationships whereas
nonaddicts use the Internet to maintain existing relationships.
(Chou & Hsiao, 2000; Young, 1996).
    
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a Internet dependents generally experience distress in at
least one of five areas: social, vocational, educational,
financial, and physical. In the past, financial distress
has been related to online fees. However, with the
virtual elimination of hourly fees for online services, this
type of distress is unlikely to be found in current
populations (unless it is related to vocational distress).
Distress almost always occurs as a result of the
dependent neglecting some aspect of his life in favor of
online activities.
m . # 
a Research indicates that Internet addiction is often
associated with other forms of mental distress such as
depression, impulse control disorder, low self-
self-esteem
(Armstrong et al., 2000; Petrie & Gunn, 1998; Young &
Rodgers, 1998b). Shapira et al. (2000) found a 100%
incidence rate of Impulse Control Disorder (ICD) in
their sampling of Internet addictions, and a relatively
low rate of Obsessive Control Disorder (15%). While
these findings in no way establish causation for
Internet Behavior Dependence, mental health
counselors will want to assess for ICD.
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a 1. Tolerance: This refers to the need for increasing amounts of
time on the Internet to achieve satisfaction and/or significantly
diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of
time on the Internet.

a 2. Two or more withdrawal symptoms developing within days to


one month after reduction of Internet use or cessation of
Internet use (i.e., quitting cold turkey), and these must cause
distress or impair social, personal or occupational functioning.
These include: psychomotor agitation, i.e. trembling, tremors;
anxiety; obsessive thinking about what is happening on the
Internet; fantasies or dreams about the Internet; voluntary or
involuntary typing movements of the fingers.

a 3. Use of the Internet is engaged in to relieve or avoid


withdrawal symptoms.
a 4. The Internet is often accessed more often, or for
longer periods of time than was intended.

a 5. A significant amount of time is spent in activities


related to Internet use ( e.g., Internet books, trying
out new World Wide Web browsers, researching
Internet vendors, etc.).

a 6. Important social, occupational, or recreational


activities are given up or reduced because of
Internet use.

a 7. The individual risks the loss of a significant


relationship, job, educational or career opportunity
because of excessive use of the Internet
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a You may use the Internet to distract


yourself from your worries and fears. An
anxiety disorder like obsessive-
obsessive-
compulsive disorder may also contribute
to excessive email checking and
compulsive Internet use.
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a The Internet can be an escape


from feelings of depression, but
too much time online can make
things worse. Internet addiction
further contributes to isolation
and loneliness.


 

 


  

a Many Internet addicts


suffer from other
addictions, mainly to
drugs, alcohol,
gambling, and sex.
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a Internet addicts often use chat


rooms, instant messaging, or
online gaming as a safe way of
establishing new relationships
and more confidently relating to
others.
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,, you
might be wondering where
you fit in and the Internet
might feel more comfortable
than real life friends.
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a For example, you may be coping


with a new disability that limits
your ability to drive. Parenting
very young children can make it
hard to leave the house or
connect with old friends.
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a Do you frequently find yourself on the


Internet longer than you thought? Does a
few minutes turn in to a few hours? Do
you find yourself running late to
appointments, school, or work because
of too much time spent online? Do you
get irritated or cranky if your online time
is interrupted?
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a Do you find laundry piling up and little


food for dinner in the house because
you¶ve been busy online? Perhaps you
find yourself working late more and more
because you can¶t complete your work on
time ² then staying even longer when
everyone else has gone home and you
can surf the Web freely.

 
 
 


  

a Is your social life suffering because


of all the time you spend online? Are
you neglecting your family and
friends? Do you feel like no one in
your real´ life ² even your spouse
² understands you like your online
friends?
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a Are you sick of your spouse


nagging you to get off the
computer and spend some time
together? Do you hide your
Internet use or lie about how
much time you spend online?
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a If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, for


example, Internet addiction might be a way to self-
self-
soothe rocky moods. Have you had problems with
alcohol or drugs in the past? Does anything about your
Internet use remind you of how you used to drink or
use drugs to numb out? Take a hard look at whether
you need to address treatment in these areas, whether
it is therapy for depression or going back to 12-
12-step
meetings.
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a Perhaps blowing off steam on the Internet is


your way of coping with stress or angry
feelings. Or you have trouble relating to others,
feeling excessively shy or feeling like you can
never read people right in real life. Building
skills in these areas will help you weather the
stresses and strains of daily life without
resorting to compulsive Internet use. Related
Helpguide sites can be found below.

 
 
 

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a The more relationships you have in real


life, the less you will need the Internet for
social interaction. Set aside dedicated
time each week for spouse or other
family. If you are shy, try finding common
interest groups such as an exercise class
or book reading club. This allows you to
interact with others in a non-
non-threatening
way and allows relationships to naturally
develop.
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4

 To help you see problem areas, keep a log of


how much you use the Internet for non-non-work
related activities. You might find this
challenging if you interweave recreational
Internet use with work, but try to get a clear
idea of when you use. Are there times of day
that you use more? Are there triggers in your
day that make you stay online for hours at a
time when you planned for 5 minutes?
Set goals for when you can use
the Internet. For example, you
might try setting a timer for
usage, scheduling use for certain
times of day, or making a
commitment to turn off the
computer at the same time each
night.
Replace your Internet usage with
healthy activities. If you are bored
and lonely, resisting the urge to get
back online will be very difficult.
Have a plan for other ways to fill the
time, such as going to lunch with a
coworker, taking a class, or inviting a
friend over.
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a Having trouble cutting back? It is not
because you are weak willed.
Compulsive behavior like Internet
addiction can be hard to break. The more
support you have during the process of
cutting down, the more successful you
will be.
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a ã 
   You are an average on-
on-line user. You
may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have
control over your usage.

a ž 
  You are experiencing occasional or
frequent problems because of the Internet. You should
consider their full impact on your life.

a ‡ 
    Your Internet usage is causing
significant problems in your life. You should evaluate
the impact of the Internet on your life and address the
problems directly caused by your Internet usage.

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