Few inventions have had such a profound – and fast – impact on the globe as the internet. Unfortunately, for some people, the internet has become an all-consuming habit that has wreaked havoc on their personal life and irrevocably harmed their future possibilities.
Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is a condition marked by a person’s excessive usage of the internet to the point where it negatively impacts their everyday lives.
Because internet use is a new phenomenon compared to most other habit-forming activities, and because its potential to lead to addiction has only recently been recognised (effectively, within the last two decades), research on the condition is still in its early stages.
Internet addiction is more difficult to detect and treat than other behavioural addictions like gambling, sex, and overeating. Much of this is related to the problem’s newness. Recognising a patient’s abnormal behaviour is crucial to diagnosing internet addiction. Is the patient, in other words, an obsessive internet user? Is the person unable to manage their internet time? Professionals who are familiar with the nature of compulsive behaviour should be able to answer these questions.
Furthermore, “internet use” encompasses a wide range of activities, some of which may be associated with specific disorders and addictions (for example, online gambling, pornography, and shopping). The internet has quickly established itself as an integral part of daily life, both professional and domestic, so it can be challenging to determine if and when a person’s internet use has become problematic – even if it takes up several hours a day from an individual’s time (a timeframe which for most other activities would be immediately recognisable as being symptomatic of a serious problem).
As a result, there is no firm agreement among medical and psychiatric practitioners on whether or not internet addiction should be recognised as a distinct disorder, let alone the development of a diagnostic framework.
Neither the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association (probably the leading diagnostic publication worldwide focusing exclusively on mental health) nor the International Classification of Diseases (ICD – a classification manual produced by the World Health Organization that is much broader in scope than the DSM, covering as it does all aspects of health) recognises internet addiction.
Consequently, the definition of internet addiction disorder may range from one diagnosing physician to the next, and various societal, cultural, and personal factors may influence the nature of such a diagnosis.
One silver lining for addicts in desperate need of help is that many rehab clinics treating addiction in the UK are having success treating Internet addiction by combining a holistic approach to treating behavioural addiction in general with highly tailored, bespoke treatment plans based on a very close analysis of an individual addict’s specific situation and needs. A formal diagnosis of internet addiction disorder has not been a prerequisite in many cases.
Despite this lack of consense, the internet addiction problem is becoming a significant concern because of the development in mobile technology.
The NHS describes addiction as a “lack of control over doing, taking, or using anything to the point where it can be detrimental to you.” This description exemplifies how cocaine abuse can lead to addiction. Cocaine is a harsh drug that harms both the mind and the body, resulting in severe consequences. It can also affect the brain, causing the drug to govern behaviour rather than the individual regulating drug use.
There’s some discussion about whether or not obsessive internet use is an addiction. However, most psychiatrists and addiction specialists agree that some people use the internet excessively. Social networking and online role-playing games are the two venues where this is most prevalent.
There are numerous examples of people who have become socially dysfunctional due to spending practically all of their time on the internet. Whether you call them “addicts” or not, it’s evident that their online behaviour has taken over their life. On a psychological and emotional level, this is quite detrimental. It can also damage the user’s health if they ignore cleanliness, food, and other aspects of their lives.
The specialists are still undecided on whether internet addiction is comparable to other behavioural addictions. The long list of phrases used to characterise the disease demonstrates this:
When the concept of internet addiction was initially introduced in 1995, it was dismissed as a satirical joke by psychologists and psychiatrists. However, supporters of the diagnosis found that the mechanics of pathological gambling and compulsive internet use were very similar. As a result, excessive internet use and internet addiction have gained widespread acceptance as at least a compulsive behaviour, if not a psychiatric addiction.
We’ve learned more about what drives people to use the internet excessively in the years since. We’re now more confident that the illness is close enough to compulsive gambling to be classified as a behavioural addiction.
If you have any concerns that you might be addicted to the internet, please contact us. We provide free treatment advice for people suffering from drug and alcohol abuse and those struggling with behavioural addictions.
It’s important to remember that behavioural addictions are all about the pleasure derived from the behaviour rather than an object. Instead, the gambler is dependent on the act of gambling. Addiction to the internet is very similar.
Although experts are still divided on what causes internet addiction, the main issues among compulsive users appear to be caused by these three key factors:
Pornography on the internet is so prevalent that it accounts for a considerable fraction of the total bandwidth used in the digital universe. Some internet addicts spend most of their time watching pornography on the internet.
Others obsessed with being online can’t seem to disconnect from their social media profiles. They are, in a sense, addicted to being connected. Trying to cut yourself off from social networking sites might be as difficult as cutting yourself off from a drug.
Regrettably, the internet has made it simpler for problem gamblers to feed their addictions from the comfort of their own homes. In addition to the gambling problem, online gambling has led to co-occurring internet addiction.
According to current studies, people who struggle with internet addiction get a great deal of enjoyment from it.
Their actions cause the release of chemicals that excite the brain’s reward centres to the point where individuals believe their desires have power over them.
It’s significant to note that internet addicts, like those addicted to alcohol or other narcotics, must constantly ‘raise the ante’ to experience the same amount of pleasure. The gambler must bet more frequently; the pornography addict must continuously seek new sources of excitement; the social media addict must constantly seek new ways to connect.
The release of substances such as dopamine activates receptors in parts of the brain such as the ventral tegmental area and the amygdala, causing good sensations and driving the urge to repeat the behaviour, as it does with any behavioural addiction. After a while, the brain adjusts to the presence of elevated dopamine levels, requiring the individual affected to engage in the behaviour in question at an ever-greater frequency and intensity (i.e., it develops a tolerance to the behaviour) to maintain the positive sensations initially created; stopping the behaviour all at once can result in withdrawal syndrome as the brain readjusts to the original dopamine levels.
Many people now spend a significant portion of their day online due to relying on the internet to do their work – yet only a small percentage of internet users develop symptoms that could be considered addiction symptoms. This tends to corroborate the position of those who argue that while internet use alone does not constitute an addictive behaviour, it is specific types of internet usage and specific online activities that can be problematic and lead to the development of addiction.
The number and variety of activities that may now be done on the internet are mind-boggling (especially considering that the World Wide Web is still less than 40 years old).
Almost any human activity that does not require physical interaction with people or objects can be performed online (and, with advances in automation and robotics, even that physical barrier may soon be broken for many activities).
Furthermore, the mobile/smartphone revolution has seen the vast majority of people in the developed world (and an increasing number of those in the rest of the world) carry a smartphone. As a result, practically any habit-forming activity can now be participated in over the internet.
Video-streaming services, particularly YouTube, have spawned an entirely new ecosystem of superstars and admirers, and some characteristics of those platforms may be considered to contribute to various compulsive behaviours. Virtual worlds, such as Second Life, are frequently the subject of obsessive or compulsive behaviours. They differ from video games in that they typically do not present an end goal but rather give an environment in which alternate existences and personal development can be enjoyed.
These impulse control disorders may have their own diagnostic criteria and symptoms and may require treatment approaches that differ from one another. Depending on the diagnosis, the extent to which their shared internet use qualifies them as subtypes of internet addiction disorder rather than independent disorders will vary, as will the extent to which that classification influences how therapy is provided.
It’s crucial to remember that every case of addiction is different and that one person’s addiction journey may also vary. Any given stage or chronology should only be used as a guide.
The following is an example of the stages in the progression of an IAD :
Most people’s first interaction with the internet occurs while they are very young. Only time will tell how much lifelong immersion in the connected world will affect the development of human psychology. However, exposure to specific habit-forming activities can occur at any age (becoming more likely as young people gain independence from their parents as they grow up). Even if the initial encounter may not seem very relevant at the time, it is likely to arouse attention and develop a desire to repeat the experience.
An individual may begin to participate in the activity regularly, becoming involved with related platforms, vocabulary, and any associated subculture. They may start to make their first investments if financial input is required.
The activity begins to take on increasing importance in the individual’s life, affecting their schedule in terms of commitments and obligations ignored and relationships neglected for them to continue to engage in the activity. They’ll grow increasingly consumed with the activity, possibly finding it difficult to concentrate on other things. They’ll start behaving in secretive or deceptive ways to hide how much time – and maybe money – they’re spending online. If they are forced to take a break from the activity, they may feel angry and anxious and have mood changes. Sleeping and eating habits may become disrupted, resulting in tiredness and mild cognitive impairment.
It occurs when the individual’s involvement in the activity becomes overwhelming if not the individual’s primary priority. Meaningful connections may be shattered as a result of the individual’s complete disregard for them or the deception; professional or academic performance may deteriorate to the point where the individual loses their job or position. Chronic sleep deprivation, bad eating, and a lack of exercise may negatively impact their physical health. At the same time, other addictions may develop as a result of co-occurring mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. They may now face considerable financial hardship due to compulsive spending if the behaviour in question requires monetary investment.
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We at Compare Rehab UK believe that internet addiction is just as real and harmful as other types of addiction. We have firsthand experience with the dangers of the obsessive use of online tools. We’ve also learnt that there are warning indications of internet addiction in yourself or others that you might be aware of.
One of the most curious features of internet addiction is that it can manifest itself in various ways. Someone may be entirely hooked to social media, while another may spend time on both social media and pornography sites. Another internet addict might be interested in reading the news or keeping up with sports. It’s because of these differences that treating internet addiction is so challenging.
When engaging in internet-based activity, someone suffering from internet addiction disorder is likely to experience some or all of the following psychological symptoms: despair, anxiety, feelings of severe guilt and remorse, agitation and irritability, and sensations of euphoria.
Although few physical symptoms are likely to appear in the short term, internet addiction can be detected over time by any of the following symptoms: weight gain or loss; insomnia and generally disturbed sleep patterns; headaches; backache; blurred vision; and carpal tunnel syndrome. Regular, long periods of online activity can cause serious – even deadly – health problems; several examples have been documented of users collapsing and dying from seizures, strokes, and other diseases after indulging in continuous internet use.
Addicts often disregard even the most important relationships in their lives; internet addicts, in particular, may appear to be utterly unconcerned about their relationships, preferring to spend their time online rather than with their partners. They may find intimacy increasingly difficult and choose the virtual world instead. Addiction’s strain on relationships may drive addicts further into isolation and away from resolving relationship problems.
As previously said, deception and secrecy can signal that someone is battling an addiction that they want to hide from others. Other behavioural symptoms may include:
Interpersonal issues, such as low self-confidence, poor communication skills, and introversion, are viewed as significant risk factors for the development of internet addiction. People who suffer from them may find internet-based interactions much easier to handle and less likely to terminate in emotionally devastating rejection. People who lack strong social connections and support are more likely to seek out virtual networks and interactions.
Having an impulse control disorder has also been related to the development of internet addiction. A history of addiction or other mental health disorders increases the risk of internet addiction; the most prevalent co-occurring disorders with internet addiction disorder are major depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Low parental education, frequent use of social networking and gaming sites, and starting to use the internet at a young age are considered significant risk factors for internet addiction disorder or even an internet gaming disorder.
Abstinence is a critical prevention component for many behavioural and substance-related addictions. However, the internet has become such a vital aspect of human life that many individuals find it impossible to live without it. As a result, prevention should focus on limiting an individual’s use of the internet to essential tasks that cannot be avoided. For example, allowing just a set amount of time per day or week to be spent on the internet, and limiting its usage to crucial activities like work-related requirements, online shopping if necessary, communicating with friends and family.
Any activities that have shown to be particularly harmful in the past — gambling, pornography, and so on – should be avoided whenever possible. A person may benefit from having a simple phone that does not allow access to the internet, as well as telling housemates (including family) of their condition and keeping any internet-connected equipment in communal areas if they share a home with others.
Mental health problems are known to both contribute to and result from addiction. Depression and attention deficit disorders (ADD and ADHD) are the two most common co-morbidities associated with internet addiction. Still, various other diseases, such as anxiety disorder, substance abuse disorders, learning difficulties, agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder, can also play a role.
Internet addiction disorder is thought to contribute to various conditions, including (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Some of the repercussions of internet addiction disorder may lead to subsequent mental health conditions; for example, sleep deprivation can result in many complications, including the development of psychosis.
Some of the mental health consequences of internet addiction can have long-term, if not permanent, implications for the affected individual. Each year, an increasing number of people commit suicide due to depression associated with an internet addiction disorder, and psychosis can lead to acts of extreme violence or self-harm, both of which can have obvious long-term consequences.
Most of the physical symptoms of internet addiction listed above have long-term repercussions, and some may be difficult or impossible to cure successfully. Chronic back pain, for example, can be very debilitating, causing great suffering and limiting a person’s life choices. Prolonged durations of uninterrupted internet use can lead to a range of potentially fatal conditions, such as seizures and stroke.
Internet addiction can have devastating financial consequences if the activity or activities engaged in require the use of money (especially when it comes to gambling and shopping). The impact of addiction on an individual’s professional life can be very severe, resulting in job loss and impaired chances of future employment, which can also have a catastrophic impact on their finances.
Internet addiction has the potential to disrupt previously valued relationships such as marriages (with obvious ramifications for the addict’s mental health), as well as an addict’s relationships with other family members and close friends.
Children in the Western world now spend, on average, over 40 hours a week in front of screens, and many experts have expressed serious worries about children’s and young people’s susceptibility to an internet addiction disorder.
Specialists identified the following warning indicators that should urge parents concerned about their children’s internet use to take action:
Parents should set firm boundaries and limits on internet usage where possible; encourage activities that do not require the use of a computer or smartphone, such as regular outdoor activities; and speak honestly, openly, and firmly to any children who are exhibiting signs of problematic internet usage.
Because there is no consensus on how to diagnose and categorise internet addiction, numerous diagnostic frameworks have been developed that can be used by individual doctors and addiction specialists. Dr Kimberly Young developed the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ), an eight-point checklist that diagnoses anyone who meets five of the following eight criteria as having an internet addiction:
Some doctors employ Young’s extension to the YDQ, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), which consists of 20 questions on a five-point scale for each answer. Scores vary from 20 to 100, with anyone with a score of more than 70 being labelled a problematic internet user.
Additionally to Young’s internet addiction test and the IAT, other screening instruments that may be used in a diagnosis include the Internet-Related Addictive Behaviour Inventory (IRABI), the Chinese Internet Addiction Inventory (CIAI), the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS), and the Problematic Internet Use Scale (PIUS).
Because the science of internet addiction is still developing, treatment professionals have nothing to go on other than what they’ve learned about other addictive behaviours.
We currently rely mainly on our prior experience with gambling and sex addictions, as these two types of compulsive behaviours are very similar. As a result, the first step in treating internet addiction is to recognise that there is a problem.
A person whose online time is so excessive that it interferes with what is considered acceptable social functioning is typically believed to be someone who should be evaluated at the very least. A person on the verge of developing an internet addiction will prioritise online activities over most other activities. They will lose interest in other activities; social interaction will be put on hold, and getting out of the house and doing things will be difficult.
Internet addiction, in its most severe form, has the same types of outcomes as other behavioural and substance addictions: addictive behaviour takes over as the dominant governing factor in a person’s life. The majority of decisions are centred on the use of the internet; going online determines the course of the addict’s day; if the addict has to choose between going online and doing something else, the internet usually wins.
Internet addiction is a serious problem, regardless of whether some of the symptoms and outcomes are classified as compulsive in the same way as other types of compulsive behaviours. Relationships are ruined, spouses and partners are driven away, financial stability is jeopardised, and cognitive function is altered. If you or someone you care about appears to be addicted to the internet, we recommend that you contact Compare Rehab UK immediately.
If a specialist diagnoses internet addiction, treatment usually follows a predictable pattern:
Just as a heroin addict must stop using heroin, an internet addict must reduce the amount of time spent online. Abstinence has the same objective in this sense. Some people like to go cold turkey when it comes to using the internet, while others prefer a more progressive approach.
Therapy can be provided in different ways: Individual (one-on-one with the therapist); group (many patients working together in a session with one therapist); and family (the patient being treated in the company of their loved ones – who may also benefit from treatment).
Internet addicts receive the same forms of counselling that alcohol and drug addiction patients receive. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of counselling in this area.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach (officially a “psycho-social intervention“) that focuses on finding and correcting negative and unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours through a therapist’s interaction. CBT was developed to treat depression, but it has now been proven to be incredibly effective in the treatment of addiction, thanks to the way patients are taught to create coping skills that can be used to avoid relapse.
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), a modified version of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is an evidence-based psychotherapy strategy for changing harmful patterns of behaviour, such as substance abuse and behavioural addictions (including internet addiction disorder). It blends typical CBT procedures with mindfulness and acceptance principles, some of which are drawn from Buddhist meditative practises.
Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy (EAT), is a type of mental health treatment that involves patients riding, grooming, and feeding horses while addressing their feelings and behaviours in a way that benefits them socially, and emotionally, cognitively, or behaviourally.
Recreation therapy is a systematic method of addressing a patient’s needs and fostering psychological and physical health and rehabilitation through leisure activities. These activities may include creative arts, sports, learning activities, games, etc.
Art therapy is a therapeutic practice that involves using the creative expression. Patients can gain psychological benefits from participating in the creative process, and the therapist can analyse the patient’s self-expression in art and explore the meaning of what is generated.
Reality therapy is founded on the belief that the patient is suffering from a failure to meet their basic needs, and it focuses on the patient’s current situation (rather than previous actions), helping them to uncover their true objectives and develop behaviour to achieve them.
For most Internet addicts, group support is quite beneficial. Group support promotes reciprocal accountability, which is essential in internet addiction as well as any other addiction. Members of the group rely on one another to hold them accountable and to help them get through the tough times.
Treating internet addiction requires the development of coping strategies. The internet, unlike those recuperating from alcohol or drugs, is not a concrete object that can be simply disconnected. The internet is all around us, infiltrating practically every aspect of our lives. As a result, the recovered addict must learn coping mechanisms to function in the digital world without restarting the compulsive behaviour.
Behaviour modification refers to behaviour change processes used in the treatment that includes both positive and negative reinforcement (such as punishment or rewards), to encourage positive behaviour and discourage negative behaviour and attitudes.
Like with any addiction, only those who are willing to admit to having an internet addiction will benefit from treatment. However, if you are willing to admit to having a problem with internet use, many rehabs across the UK can treat behavioural addicts and get them back to living happy and healthy lives.
Don’t let another day pass without seeking the help you need. Contact your primary care physician and an addiction expert like Compare Rehab UK to discuss your treatment options.
Addiction can make you feel like you’ve lost control of your life. However, with proper support, you can regain control of your life and begin the path to recovery.
Call us on 0800 999 1083 now for confidential help.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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