Internet Addiction: A 21st
Century Endemic
Imagine
the uncontrollable, constant urge of an addict to utilize his or her addiction.
Also imagine the inevitable fate of being unable to pursue your daily routine
without fulfilling that intense, crippling impulse. Often, people may mistake
these side effects as being limited to addictions from drugs, alcohol, and sex.
However, what if the same mentality consumed by drug addicts also occurs from
the use of the internet? (Internet Addiction May Be As Hard To Kick As Drugs).
In fact, this ordinary task consumes the lives of one in eight Americans and
makes up the fastest-growing epidemic in the world thanks to the constant
growth of technology, the addictive nature of humanity, and the convenience of
the ability to build relationships by using a device that could fit in your
pocket (Psychology of Computer Use: Addictive Use of the Internet: A Case That
Break the Stereotype). Unfortunately, although internet use may not come with
muscle aches and delirium tremors, the habit of using the World Wide Web can
quickly become a haunting addiction that actually kills relationships, develops
unhealthy habits, and could lead to other addictions.
The
Birth of Internet Dependence
The
investigation of internet addiction was first pursued by Kimberly Young in 1996
(Internet Treatment and Recovery Programs A Patient and Family Guide). After
extensive research, she developed the first questionnaire designed to diagnose
internet addiction based on personal use of the web (1). For example, if you
answered ‘yes’ to five or more of the questions offered, you were considered
addicted to the internet and were advised to seek treatment (2). Dr. Young’s
discovery attracted widespread attention around the world and prompted many
countries to attack this emerging epidemic at their homes. Even Asian countries
like China, Taiwan, and Korea were particularly concerned about their
population’s excessive internet use. In fact, even before the media was drawn
to this new discovery, Chinese authorities began fighting this addiction in
their country by monitoring the amount of hours their young population spent a
day gaming on the internet. Also, while most of the world was still oblivious
to the dangers of this task, China was shutting down cafés that provided
computers for their customers (3). However, although Dr. Young’s research
developed many precautions around the world, internet addiction remains a
growing issue among our innovative society.
The
Tragedy of Internet Addiction
One
of the first tragic occurrences that exposed the truth about internet addiction
is the case of Lee Seung Soep (Internet
Addiction: A 21st Century Epidemic). Soep was a 28-year-old boiler
repairman who lived in Korea and suffered from an extreme internet habit. His
addiction to the web became so consuming, that, after a 50-hour computer binge,
he suffered a myocardial infarction that ended in his untimely death. Soep’s
tragedy was part of what inspired Korea to investigate this emerging crisis
early on. Korean investigators were able to shed light on the truth about
internet addiction and found that 4% of their young population was, in fact,
internet addicts and risked encountering the same fate that caused Soep’s
demise (1).
The
next scenario explains the tragic addiction of an unnamed individual who defies
the stereotype that excessive internet use only effects single males. Not only
was the subject a woman, but she was also a married mother of two (Psychology
of Computer Use: Addictive Use of the Internet: A Case That Break the
Stereotype). Additionally, the mother was illiterate and still found her way of
navigating the internet where she would meet new people and engage in social
chat rooms. Her internet use became so intense, that, over just three months,
her use consumed over fifty hours of every week! After building relationships
with her digital friends and planning a significant time out of her day to
maintain them, the woman began experiencing withdraws if her impulses weren’t
fulfilled. She would go through symptoms of depression and irritability if not
engaged on the internet for a short amount of time and eventually began
rearranging appointments and altering her schedule just to find the time to
satisfy her virtual craving (2). The mom’s use developed many unhealthy habits
and also lead to an unstable family environment as well. In fact, within only a
year of purchasing her new computer, her daughters described being completely
detached from their mom and felt that she had emotionally removed herself from
their household. Eventually, her addiction caused so much emotional and
financial strain within their family, that her husband ultimately decided that
it would be unhealthy to raise his kids around the addictive behavior and chose
to divorce his wife (3). This case proves that internet addiction can be
physically or financially harmful, negatively affect others, and is not limited
to the average, stereotypical male.
Treatment
for Digital Compulsions
Many
internet addicts have a hard time finding treatment for their condition because
it has barely become recognized as a debilitating illness by Dr. Kimberly
Young. This is heavily due to the fact that, around the world, the World Wide
Web is embraced and praised as a technological innovation that makes lives
easier rather than more difficult or even draining of individual lives and
families (Internet Addiction: A 21st Century Epidemic). Despite its
lack of relevance to some crowds, internet addiction has gained significant
attention since the rise of computers and cell phones. In fact a group of
researchers explained, “Over
the past decade, since the term became widely debated in the medical
literature, 'Internet addiction' has become regarded as a novel [psychological
disorder] that may well impact on a large number of individuals.” (Internet
Addiction May Be As Hard To Kick As Drugs). The distress and
decline in the daily functioning of its victims has inspired numerous skilled
doctors and psychologists to venture in the world of cyberaddiction to help end
this expanding epidemic (Internet Addiction: A 21st Century
Epidemic).
Although
web addicts share similar symptoms or urges with people addicted to drugs,
treating addictions to the internet requires a rather unique approach. Drug
addiction treatment involves complete abstinence to the substance during
treatment and includes learning to completely live without your preferred
chemical. However, this approach isn’t practical for those addicted to the
internet simply because of the prevalence the web has in our daily lives
(Internet Addiction Treatment and Recovery Program A Patient and Family Guide).
For example, patients who attend school or work behind a desk tend to need the
internet to fulfill their daily tasks and would struggle significantly if it
wasn’t available to them. Therefore, any treatment options that entail stopping
internet use “cold turkey” simply wouldn’t work out in the end considering the
internet’s importance. On the other hand, patients can monitor the amount of
time they spend engaged on computers a day and can regulate the kind of
activity they participate in when engaged (4). For instance, using the computer
for research or work is acceptable, but someone with a habit of using the web
for online pornography, social chat rooms, gambling, and gaming should learn to eliminate those aspects of
their computer use (5).
Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best treatment option for patients who suffer
from internet compulsions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment based on
the principle that thoughts determine feelings (Journal of Cognitive
Psychotherapy). It involves identifying the patient’s thoughts that activate
their compulsive behavior and helping them learn how to cope with their
addictive feelings (305). The first stage, named behavior modification,
concentrates on where the patient’s behavior and impulses are greatest (306).
In this stage, the starting point of treatment is established by evaluating the
client’s initial use of the internet. The
patient is told to keep a log of their internet use and record when and for how
long they remain engaged on a certain activity. For example, the client could
be inclined to excessively abuse the internet during a certain time of day or
by a particular website and they are advised to monitor and log their
inclination. This step is essential in recognizing mental triggers that cue
addictive compulsions and reducing the amount of time spent on the Web (307).
The
second phase of treatment, known as cognitive reconstructing, helps the patient
take ownership of their addiction and addresses the “maladaptive” thoughts
identified in the first stage’s assessment (Journal of Cognitive
Psychotherapy). The most common thoughts related to internet addiction are
associated with addictions from porn, gaming, gambling, entertainment, and
social chat rooms (Internet Addiction- Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, and FAQS-
Tech Addiction). For example, a patient who discovered their obsession with
online chat rooms could have distorted opinions of themselves or the world
around them by comparing themselves in real life to themselves online and,
also, by assuming no one likes them in the real world. All of these feelings
are what drives internet addicts to stay engaged in their virtual, made-up
world. This stage of cognitive behavioral therapy reconstructs the underlying
assumptions that contribute to their opinions of themselves or others and
breaks the pattern of false justifications that the patients use to stay
involved on the internet (Journal of Cognitive Psychology).
The
last stage in cognitive behavioral therapy is called harm reduction therapy.
(Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy). This stage targets underlying issues
associated with the patient’s internet use and helps to rectify them. These
underlying motives can range anywhere from depression and anxiety to low
self-esteem and any problems that the client could be avoiding through his or
her internet use. Very often, clients opt to end treatment when they have
kicked the habit of compulsively searching the web. However, a patient is not
truly cured of internet addiction until the underlying cause of their addiction
is alleviated. Not treating the underlying cause not only puts the client at
risk of relapsing back into internet addiction, but also leaves them vulnerable
to further abuse from other harmful actions (309, 310).
Ultimately,
this form of therapy teaches the patient coping and problem-solving skills
through thought monitoring, modeling, and support group sessions, without
completely depriving them of their internet tasks. This is the best treatment
option because, instead of learning to go without the Web and struggling to
complete tasks otherwise, through cognitive behavioral therapy, the patient
learns to eliminate the underlying cause of their behavior and also monitor
their time using their devices.
What
Would Camus Do?
Albert Camus was
one of the most prominent authors and philosophers of the 1950’s. The Algerian
artist wrote many novel’s including The
Plague, The Stranger, and The
Rebel (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Although Camus had a major
impact on literature, he was most famous for coining the concept of absurdity.
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes absurdity as “a metaphysical
tension or opposition that results from the presence of human
consciousness—with its ever-pressing demand for order and meaning in life—in an
essentially meaningless and indifferent universe.” In other words, Camus’
teachings emphasized individual freedoms and explained that life and trying to
find the meaning of it is fundamentally pointless (1). Given this knowledge of
Camus’ perspectives, it would be safe to assume that, in regard to treating
internet addiction, Camus would advise to do no other than simply leave the
internet addicts to their precious websites and let them be. After all, when
it’s all said and done and the web fanatics have been left untreated, they will
share the same fate of rotting in the ground as those who have never
experienced the internet compulsions.
In conclusion, internet addiction has begun to earn
powerful recognition of being a growing epidemic that has great potential to
destroy the lives of its victims and their families. Fortunately, with the help
of Dr. Kimberly Young and the researchers in her field, there are tons of
treatment options for every individual looking for help to end their
debilitating urges. Also, although Camus would find it meaningless, there is
hope for addicts who aspire to make the most of their life and refrain from
their isolating computer screens.
Works
Cited
Cristakis, Dimitri A. "Internet Addiction: A
21st Century Epidemic?" Internet Addiction: A 21st Century Epidemic?
BMC Medicine, 2010. Web.
<https://sites.oxy.edu/clint/physio/article/Internetaddictiona21stcenturyepidemic
"Dr. Kimberly Young Internet Addiction." NetAddiction.
Web. 28 Apr. 2016. <http://netaddiction.com/kimberly-young/>.
"Internet Addiction May Be as Hard to Kick as
Drugs." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 28 Apr.
2016.<http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20130226/internet-addiction-hard-kick-drugs?page=2>.
"Internet Addiction – Symptoms, Signs,
Treatment, and FAQS - TechAddiction." Internet Addiction – Symptoms,
Signs, Treatment, and FAQS - TechAddiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2016.
<http://www.techaddiction.ca/internet-addiction.html>.
"Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Internet
Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2016.
<http://www.iep.utm.edu/camus/>.
With The Compliments Of
Springer Publishing Company, Llc. "Journal of Cognitive
Psychotherapy." COGNITIVE 25 (2011): n. pag. Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy- Center for Internet Addiction. Netaddiction. Web.
Young, Kimberly, Dr. "Bradford Regional Medical
Center Internet Addiction Treatment and Recovery Program A Patient and Family
Guide." Internet Addiction Treatment and Recovery Program A Patient and
Family Guide. Bradford Regional Medical Center. Web. <https://www.brmc.com/programs-services/BRMC.Family.
Literature.pdf>.
Young, Kimberly S. "Psychology Of Computer Use:
Xl. Addictive Use Of The Internet: A Case That Breaks The Stereotype." Psychological
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