span While the more “typical
class="cap">I nterne addictions” such as alcoholism
t-Related Addictions and drug dependency are more
n my travels through cyberspace, established regarding the various
I have noticed an increasing forms of treatment and therapy
number of websites and blogs that are available, employed, and
discussing various forms of researched, other dependencies,
Internet-related addictive such as the above mentioned
behavior. In fact, I have Internet-based addictions, are
recently encountered the not. The question, however, needs
following online dependencies: to be asked: how serious are
porn, gambling, video games, Internet addictions? To help
comment addiction (i.e., checking answer this question, consider
the comments on one’s blog), the following statement made by
Internet addiction, blog researchers at the Stanford
addiction, Technorati addiction, University School of Medicine in
forum addiction, information a recent study on Internet
addiction, MySpace addiction, and addiction: “The United States
addiction to Bloglines.
could be rife with Internet
This inventory is obviously addicts as clinically ill as
not an official list gathered alcoholics.”
from the medical or psychological Addiction Horror Stories
literature. It is interesting to Even though most of the
note, however, that Internet addiction horror stories I have
users themselves are the ones read about pertain to the more
labeling their online behavior “typical” dependencies such as
and the online behavior of others alcoholism, drug addiction, and
as “addictive.”
substance abuse, other
How Dangerous are Internet Internet-related dependencies
Addictions?
such as “game addiction” are
starting to share the headlines. and “stuck in a rut” for many
For instance, there’s various years. After listening to her
stories circulating the Internet patient ramble on for weeks about
about teens and young adults who his drab, meaningless, and
play online video games 18 or unexciting existence, it came
more hours per day.
time for the therapist to advise
As disconcerting as this is, her patient what to do. On the
the most shocking and disturbing day of reckoning, the therapist
Internet-based addiction story I calmly smiled at her patient and
have heard so far is the said: “on a consistent basis, you
following. In 2005, a 54-year-old need to get some sleep and spend
male, unable to take a break from some quality time outside in the
his online world, died from sun.” Upon hearing this, the
starvation. How is this possible patient understandably felt
you ask? Easy. For 7 weeks before “cheated” with such a “simple
his death, he posted comments solution.”
into one forum after another
The point: sometimes we make
every 30 seconds, while refusing things so complex and complicated
to eat.
that we become caught in a cycle
What Can Be Done?
of “paralysis by analysis.”
What can a person do who is Clearly, with a more traditional
addicted to the Internet? Among form of therapy such as years of
other things, take a break, go psychoanalysis, the patient
outside, and enjoy life. If you described above may have finally
think that this is a rather “understood” why he had been
simplistic suggestion, please depressed and “stuck in a rut.”
continue reading.
Perhaps based on this “insight”
I remember hearing about a he may have started to live his
person who complained to his life more honestly, more fully,
therapist about being depressed and with more joy. On the other
hand, this same patient might may reprint this article as long
have viewed his world in an as you leave all of the links
entirely different way had he active, do not edit the article
started living in a more healthy in any way, and give the author
manner and developed some quality credit.
interests, relationships, and
hobbies.
activities that their lives, align="center">
especially their relationships,
have become dysfunctional. Realizing this, however, leads to type="text/javascript">
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About the Author:
Denny Soinski, Ph.D, writes about alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, alcohol testing, alcoholism, alcohol recovery, alcohol treatment, and alcohol rehab. For more information, please visit http://www.Alcohol-Information.com right away!
Article Tags: addiction, internet, online
