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HOOKED ONLINE: INTERNET ADDICTION

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With an estimated 120 million Americans now online, it's no wonder that some people are having problems due to their excessive use of the internet. In fact, a new psychological term has emerged in recent years — Internet Addiction — to describe those who are unable to control their internet use.

What is Internet Addiction?

How do you know if you're addicted or rapidly tumbling toward trouble? It's not simply a matter of how much time you spend online. It's more important to determine if internet use is causing any disruption in your life. What problems have emerged in your family, relationships, work or school? People who are internet addicted are unable to moderate or control their online use despite the fact that it is causing severe problems in their "real" lives.

Psychologists have identified five main problem areas:

• Cybersexual Addiction - Compulsive use of adult web sites for cybersex and cyberporn
• Cyber-relationship Addiction - Over-involvement in online relationships
• Net Compulsions - Obsessive online gambling, shopping, or online trading
• Information Overload - Compulsive web surfing or database searches
• Computer Addiction - Obsessive computer game playing (e.g., Doom, Myst, or Solitaire)

Why do people get hooked online? Internet use becomes a problem for many people when they use it as an escape from real life problems. Many people suffer from a desire to avoid dealing with other problems in their lives. Those problems may be depression, anxiety, marital or relationship difficulties, or a serious health problem or disability.

Are You Hooked Online?

Do you find yourself spending more and more time online at a greater and greater cost to your real life? Are you concerned that your internet use is getting out of control? The questions below will help you assess your online use:

1. Do you feel preoccupied with your online activity (think about previous online activity or anticipate next online session)?
2. Are you neglecting important areas of your life because of your online activity?
3. Is your online activity negatively impacting your relationships with important people in your life?
4. Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of your online activity?
5. Do important people in your life get annoyed or disappointed with you about your online activity?
6. Do you get defensive or irritable when people criticize your online activity?
7. Do you ever feel guilty or anxious about what you are doing online?
8. Have you ever found yourself being secretive about or trying to "cover up" your online activities?
9. Do you feel a need to spend more and more time online in order to achieve satisfaction?
10. Have you ever tried to cut down your online use, but were unable to?
11. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop your online activity?
12. Do you use your online activity as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving uncomfortable moods (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression?

What should I do if I think I have a problem?

If your online activity is causing difficulties in your life, recognizing and admitting that you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. The next step is to seek professional treatment.