Internet addiction

Computer/InterneComputer/Internet Addictiont Addiction

Office of Counseling and HealthOffice of Counseling and Health

Creese 201Creese 201

A New TechnologyA New Technology

Rapidly evolving technologyRapidly evolving technology Increased usageIncreased usage

WorkWork HomeHome SchoolSchool

What is “normal” usage?What is “normal” usage? ““Computer Addiction” discussed 1996Computer Addiction” discussed 1996

Addiction defined:Addiction defined:

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

Dependency defined:Dependency defined:

““Maladaptive pattern of use Maladaptive pattern of use characterized by the need for increased characterized by the need for increased amounts to achieve the desired effect, amounts to achieve the desired effect, unsuccessful efforts to control its use, unsuccessful efforts to control its use, and substantial effort expended to seek it and substantial effort expended to seek it or recover from its effects” (Wood & or recover from its effects” (Wood & Cacciola, 1997).Cacciola, 1997).

Pychological Pychological “Internet” “Internet” Dependency :Dependency :

Dependency implies Dependency implies Tolerance – need to spend increasing Tolerance – need to spend increasing

amounts of time on computer activity i.e. amounts of time on computer activity i.e. games, files, chat rooms, etc.games, files, chat rooms, etc.

Withdrawal – psychological discomfort if not Withdrawal – psychological discomfort if not on the interneton the internet

Compulsive use – inability to regulate or Compulsive use – inability to regulate or moderate use…out of your controlmoderate use…out of your control

Is Internet Addiction Is Internet Addiction real?real?

"The Internet is unlike anything we've "The Internet is unlike anything we've seen before," says David Greenfield, seen before," says David Greenfield, PhD, founder of the PhD, founder of the Center for Internet Studies (www.virtual-Center for Internet Studies (www.virtual-addiction.com). "It's a socially connecting addiction.com). "It's a socially connecting device that's socially isolating at the device that's socially isolating at the same time." same time."

Greenfield’s ResearchGreenfield’s Research a 1998 study of 18,000 Internet users who logged onto a 1998 study of 18,000 Internet users who logged onto

the ABC News Web site, abcnews.com foundthe ABC News Web site, abcnews.com found

5.7 percent of his sample met the criteria for compulsive 5.7 percent of his sample met the criteria for compulsive Internet useInternet use

participants who met Greenfield's criteria (adapted from criteria participants who met Greenfield's criteria (adapted from criteria for compulsive gambling) were particularly hooked on for compulsive gambling) were particularly hooked on

chat rooms, pornography, online shopping and e-mailchat rooms, pornography, online shopping and e-mail

a third said they use the Internet as a form of escape or to a third said they use the Internet as a form of escape or to alter their mood on a regular basis. alter their mood on a regular basis.

Research con’tResearch con’t "addicted" people were far more likely to admit "addicted" people were far more likely to admit

feelings of losing control in their dealings on feelings of losing control in their dealings on the Net the Net

other signs include time distortion, accelerated other signs include time distortion, accelerated intimacy and decreased inhibitionintimacy and decreased inhibition

83 percent of those who fit the addiction 83 percent of those who fit the addiction criteria reported a “loss of boundaries” when criteria reported a “loss of boundaries” when they used the Netthey used the Net

Con’tCon’t 75 percent of "addicts" said they had gained 75 percent of "addicts" said they had gained

"feelings of intimacy" "feelings of intimacy"

62 percent said they regularly logged on to 62 percent said they regularly logged on to pornography sitespornography sites

average of four hours a week viewing the average of four hours a week viewing the materialmaterial

37.5 percent of that group masturbated while 37.5 percent of that group masturbated while onlineonline

Types of Internet / Types of Internet / Computer Addiction:Computer Addiction:

PornographyPornography Gambling- pinball machines, video Gambling- pinball machines, video

games, poker games, poker Web surfer-can’t stop because next site Web surfer-can’t stop because next site

may be bettermay be better Chat rooms/online datingChat rooms/online dating

Chat rooms and porn sitesChat rooms and porn sites Many studies report a preponderance of male Internet addicts. Many studies report a preponderance of male Internet addicts.

Keith Anderson, PhD, of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, found out Keith Anderson, PhD, of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, found out of 1,300 college students - 91 of the 103 students who met his of 1,300 college students - 91 of the 103 students who met his criteria for "Internet dependence" were malecriteria for "Internet dependence" were male

studies on Internet addiction, by Kimberly Young, PhD, find that studies on Internet addiction, by Kimberly Young, PhD, find that women are addicted as often as men--just in different ways. women are addicted as often as men--just in different ways.

According to a researcher at Stanford University, men prefer visual According to a researcher at Stanford University, men prefer visual stimuli and more focused sexual experiences, while women are more stimuli and more focused sexual experiences, while women are more interested in relationships and interactionsinterested in relationships and interactions

men and women "addicts" who spent the most time each week men and women "addicts" who spent the most time each week online--11 hours or more--said it was their chat room behavior that online--11 hours or more--said it was their chat room behavior that most interfered with important aspects of their lives. most interfered with important aspects of their lives.

Signs and Symptoms: Signs and Symptoms: PhysicalPhysical

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome Dry EyesDry Eyes Migraine HeadachesMigraine Headaches Back AchesBack Aches Eating irregularities (skipping meals)Eating irregularities (skipping meals) Sleep disturbancesSleep disturbances Failure to attend to personal hygieneFailure to attend to personal hygiene

Signs and Symptoms: Signs and Symptoms: PsychologicalPsychological

Inability to stop the activityInability to stop the activity Craving more and more time at the Craving more and more time at the

computercomputer Neglect of family and friendsNeglect of family and friends Feeling empty, depressed, irritable when Feeling empty, depressed, irritable when

not at the computernot at the computer Lying to employers and family about Lying to employers and family about

activitiesactivities

Signs and Symptoms: Signs and Symptoms: Psychological con’t.Psychological con’t.

Problems with school or jobProblems with school or job Having a sense of well-being or euphoria Having a sense of well-being or euphoria

while at the computerwhile at the computer

But above all:But above all: A loss of control over use!!!!!A loss of control over use!!!!!

Why so Compelling?Why so Compelling?

In an on-line world… you canIn an on-line world… you can 1. be anyone you want to be.1. be anyone you want to be. 2. be part of a group and play a role not 2. be part of a group and play a role not

possible in “real life.”possible in “real life.” 3. have social connections with other 3. have social connections with other

gamers/chatters is highly reinforcinggamers/chatters is highly reinforcing 4. maintain a relationship not possible in 4. maintain a relationship not possible in

“real world” (romantic/sexual)“real world” (romantic/sexual)

At UniversitiesAt Universities

Excessive use leads to:Excessive use leads to: Rule infractionsRule infractions Student failuresStudent failures Academic drop-outsAcademic drop-outs Lack of “real” social lifeLack of “real” social life

And in extreme cases…And in extreme cases…Death from computer game addiction or serious Death from computer game addiction or serious

medical problems from marathon gaming without medical problems from marathon gaming without eating or sleeping.eating or sleeping.

Associated DifficultiesAssociated Difficulties

Social Anxiety DisorderSocial Anxiety Disorder Fear of social or performance situations that evoke Fear of social or performance situations that evoke

anxietyanxiety

Avoidant Personality DisorderAvoidant Personality Disorder Avoidance/reluctance in interpersonal relationshipsAvoidance/reluctance in interpersonal relationships

DepressionDepression Loss of interest in external world, feelings of Loss of interest in external world, feelings of

sadness, lethargy, appetite changes, sleep sadness, lethargy, appetite changes, sleep disturbance.disturbance.

TreatmentTreatment

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy Support GroupsSupport Groups Behavior Management TechniquesBehavior Management Techniques 12 Step Program12 Step Program Medication if appropriate for Depression, Medication if appropriate for Depression,

Social Anxiety DisorderSocial Anxiety Disorder

Resources:Resources:

On-Line Gamers AnonymousOn-Line Gamers Anonymous www.olganon.orgwww.olganon.org

Net Addiction informationNet Addiction information www.netaddiction.comwww.netaddiction.com www.sex-centre.comwww.sex-centre.com www.psychiatrictimes.com/p980852.htmlwww.psychiatrictimes.com/p980852.html www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_gameaddiction.shtwww.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_gameaddiction.sht

mlml www.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/www.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/ www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/fun.games/10/07/korea.owww.cnn.com/2005/TECH/fun.games/10/07/korea.o

nlinegameaddic.ap/nlinegameaddic.ap/

Office of Counseling & Office of Counseling & HealthHealth

Counseling CenterCounseling Center AOD & Health Education OfficeAOD & Health Education Office

Creese Center Suite 201Creese Center Suite 201 drexel.edu/chdrexel.edu/ch 215-895-1415215-895-1415 [email protected]@drexel.edu

Screening: To assess your level of addiction, answer the following Screening: To assess your level of addiction, answer the following questions using this scale:questions using this scale:1 = Rarely.1 = Rarely.2 = Occasionally.2 = Occasionally.3 = Frequently.3 = Frequently.4 = Often.4 = Often.5 = Always.5 = Always.

1. How often do you find that you stay on-line longer than 1. How often do you find that you stay on-line longer than you intended? you intended?

2. How often do you neglect household chores to spend 2. How often do you neglect household chores to spend more time on-line? more time on-line?

3. How often do you prefer the excitement of the Internet 3. How often do you prefer the excitement of the Internet to intimacy with your partner? to intimacy with your partner?

4. How often do you form new relationships with fellow 4. How often do you form new relationships with fellow on-line users? on-line users?

5. How often do others in your life complain to you about 5. How often do others in your life complain to you about the amount of time you spend on-line? the amount of time you spend on-line?

1 = Rarely.1 = Rarely.2 = Occasionally.2 = Occasionally.3 = Frequently.3 = Frequently.4 = Often.4 = Often.5 = Always.5 = Always.

6. How often do your grades or school work suffer because 6. How often do your grades or school work suffer because of the amount of time you spend on-line? of the amount of time you spend on-line?

7. How often do you check your e-mail before something 7. How often do you check your e-mail before something else that you need to do? else that you need to do?

8. How often does your job performance or productivity 8. How often does your job performance or productivity suffer because of the Internet? suffer because of the Internet?

9. How often do you become defensive or secretive when 9. How often do you become defensive or secretive when anyone asks you what you do on-line? anyone asks you what you do on-line?

10. How often do you block out disturbing thoughts about 10. How often do you block out disturbing thoughts about your life with soothing thoughts of the Internet? your life with soothing thoughts of the Internet?

1 = Rarely.1 = Rarely.2 = Occasionally.2 = Occasionally.3 = Frequently.3 = Frequently.4 = Often.4 = Often.5 = Always.5 = Always.

11. How often do you find yourself anticipating when you 11. How often do you find yourself anticipating when you will go on-line again? will go on-line again?

12. How often do you fear that life without the Internet 12. How often do you fear that life without the Internet would be boring, empty, and joyless? would be boring, empty, and joyless?

13. How often do you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone 13. How often do you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone bothers you while you are on-line? bothers you while you are on-line?

14. How often do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins? 14. How often do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins?

15. How often do you feel preoccupied with the Internet 15. How often do you feel preoccupied with the Internet when off-line, or fantasize about being on-line? when off-line, or fantasize about being on-line?

1 = Rarely.1 = Rarely.2 = Occasionally.2 = Occasionally.3 = Frequently.3 = Frequently.4 = Often.4 = Often.5 = Always.on’t5 = Always.on’t

16. How often do you find yourself saying "just a few more 16. How often do you find yourself saying "just a few more minutes" when on-line? minutes" when on-line?

17. How often do you try to cut down the amount of time you 17. How often do you try to cut down the amount of time you spend on-line and fail? spend on-line and fail?

18. How often do you try to hide how long you've been on-line? 18. How often do you try to hide how long you've been on-line?

19. How often do you choose to spend more time on-line over 19. How often do you choose to spend more time on-line over going out with others? going out with others?

20. How often do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you 20. How often do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are off-line, which goes away once you are back on-line? are off-line, which goes away once you are back on-line?

ResultsResults 20 - 49 points:20 - 49 points: You are an average on-line user. You You are an average on-line user. You

may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have control over your usage.control over your usage.

50 -79 points:50 -79 points: You are experiencing occasional or You are experiencing occasional or frequent problems because of the Internet. You should frequent problems because of the Internet. You should consider their full impact on your life.consider their full impact on your life.

80 - 100 points:80 - 100 points: Your Internet usage is causing Your Internet usage is causing significant problems in your life. You should evaluate significant problems in your life. You should evaluate the impact of the Internet on your life and address the the impact of the Internet on your life and address the problems directly caused by your Internet usage.problems directly caused by your Internet usage.