Reasons for Internet Addiction

Internet technology has revolutionized how communications take place in the modern-day world. Information, collaboration, socialization and entertainment are just a few of the activities available online. Not surprisingly, this new medium has opened up a whole new area of addiction where individuals can potentially get lost in this cyberworld realm.

Identification

• Like most other addictive tendencies, Internet addiction is a form of impulse control where individuals spend excessive amounts of time online. Online gambling, innumerable information resources, chat rooms, social networking and pornography are just a few of the activities available in the cyberworld. What's different about compulsive Internet use is the question as to whether the Internet itself is addictive, or the specific activities it provides. As of yet, Internet addiction does not appear in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV); however, the American Psychological Association does recognize this condition as a disorder.

The Addiction Cycle

• The addiction process follows the same cycle regardless of the type of activity or substance used. Internet addiction is a progressive condition where individuals "need" to spend increasing amounts of time online in order to feel content. When not online, a person may anticipate their next online session. Preoccupation/anticipation is the first stage in the addiction cycle. Once online, a person feels relaxed, content or excited. Binge/intoxication is stage two in the addiction cycle. Once the online session has ended a person may become restless, irritable or even depressed. Withdrawal/ negative effect is stage three in the addiction cycle. An individual can repeat this cycle several times a day depending on how compulsive the behavior has become.

Process Addictions

• As with many other forms of addiction, the process of going online and surfing, or visiting favorite sites, has a routine associated with it. Individuals who are addicted might experience a certain rush upon going through the motions. Process addictions are those in which the body undergoes certain chemical changes before, during and after engaging in the activity. These chemical changes may have the potential of triggering certain moods like excitement or relaxation, depending on the effect the activity has on the person.

Social Outlet

• The same everyday pressures that drive an addict to use can also prompt someone to go online. Marital problems, family problems or daily stress are all possible situations where someone might want to escape or find relief. Also at issue is the ability to develop online relationships to the point where they gradually begin to replace the relationships a person has in the real world. In the case of young people, the large number of teens engaging in online activities provides a model of behavior for others within their peer group. Those who spend inordinate amounts of time online may be mimicking behaviors that take place within their peer group.

Self-Medicating

• Internet use can become a convenient outlet for individuals who suffer from mental orders such as depression or anxiety. Common symptoms of depression include feelings of isolation and decreased social interaction. Internet use can provide an escape from the issues that underlie these conditions, as well as provide a non-threatening way to interact with others. As a result, Internet addiction becomes a form of self medication that relieves the symptoms of the disorder. Individuals who are going through a difficult period in their lives may also be at risk of "attaching" themselves to the Internet as a way to distract themselves from their current circumstances.