This document discusses computer and internet addiction as a new mental health issue. Rapidly evolving technology has led to increased usage of computers and the internet for work, home, and school. The document defines addiction and dependency, and discusses how internet usage can become psychologically addictive through tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive use. Research suggests 5.7% of internet users may have compulsive usage, particularly with chat rooms, pornography, online shopping, and email. Treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy, support groups, and medication in some cases. Resources for treatment and information are provided.

1. Computer/InterneComputer/Interne
t Addictiont Addiction
Office of Counseling and HealthOffice of Counseling and Health
Creese 201Creese 201

2. 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

3. Addiction defined:Addiction defined:
 ““A primary, chronic diseaseA primary, chronic disease
characterized by impaired control overcharacterized by impaired control over
the use of a psychoactive substancethe use of a psychoactive substance
and/or behaviour. Clinically, theand/or behaviour. Clinically, the
manifestations occur along biological,manifestations occur along biological,
psychological, sociological and spiritualpsychological, sociological and spiritual
dimensions,” (Schlimme, 2002).dimensions,” (Schlimme, 2002).

4. Dependency defined:Dependency defined:
 ““Maladaptive pattern of useMaladaptive pattern of use
characterized by the need for increasedcharacterized 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 itand substantial effort expended to seek it
or recover from its effects” (Wood &or recover from its effects” (Wood &
Cacciola, 1997).Cacciola, 1997).

5. PychologicalPychological
“Internet”“Internet”
Dependency :Dependency :
 Dependency impliesDependency implies
 Tolerance – need to spend increasingTolerance – 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 notWithdrawal – psychological discomfort if not
on the interneton the internet
 Compulsive use – inability to regulate orCompulsive use – inability to regulate or
moderate use…out of your controlmoderate use…out of your control

6. Is Internet AddictionIs 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 thePhD, founder of the
Center for Internet Studies (www.virtual-Center for Internet Studies (www.virtual-
addiction.com). "It's a socially connectingaddiction.com). "It's a socially connecting
device that's socially isolating at thedevice that's socially isolating at the
same time."same time."

7. Greenfield’s ResearchGreenfield’s Research
 a 1998 study of 18,000 Internet users who logged ontoa 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 compulsive5.7 percent of his sample met the criteria for compulsive
Internet useInternet use
 participants who met Greenfield's criteria (adapted from criteriaparticipants who met Greenfield's criteria (adapted from criteria
for compulsive gambling) were particularly hooked onfor 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 toa 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.

8. 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 onfeelings of losing control in their dealings on
the Netthe Net
 other signs include time distortion, acceleratedother signs include time distortion, accelerated
intimacy and decreased inhibitionintimacy and decreased inhibition
 83 percent of those who fit the addiction83 percent of those who fit the addiction
criteria reported a “loss of boundaries” whencriteria reported a “loss of boundaries” when
they used the Netthey used the Net

9. Con’tCon’t
 75 percent of "addicts" said they had gained75 percent of "addicts" said they had gained
"feelings of intimacy""feelings of intimacy"
 62 percent said they regularly logged on to62 percent said they regularly logged on to
pornography sitespornography sites
 average of four hours a week viewing theaverage of four hours a week viewing the
materialmaterial
 37.5 percent of that group masturbated while37.5 percent of that group masturbated while
onlineonline

10. Types of Internet /Types of Internet /
Computer Addiction:Computer Addiction:
 PornographyPornography
 Gambling- pinball machines, videoGambling- pinball machines, video
games, pokergames, poker
 Web surfer-can’t stop because next siteWeb surfer-can’t stop because next site
may be bettermay be better
 Chat rooms/online datingChat rooms/online dating

11. 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 outKeith Anderson, PhD, of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, found out
of 1,300 college students - 91 of the 103 students who met hisof 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 thatstudies 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 visualAccording to a researcher at Stanford University, men prefer visual
stimuli and more focused sexual experiences, while women are morestimuli 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 weekmen and women "addicts" who spent the most time each week
online--11 hours or more--said it was their chat room behavior thatonline--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.

12. 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

13. Signs and Symptoms:Signs and Symptoms:
PsychologicalPsychological
 Inability to stop the activityInability to stop the activity
 Craving more and more time at theCraving more and more time at the
computercomputer
 Neglect of family and friendsNeglect of family and friends
 Feeling empty, depressed, irritable whenFeeling empty, depressed, irritable when
not at the computernot at the computer
 Lying to employers and family aboutLying to employers and family about
activitiesactivities

14. 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 euphoriaHaving 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!!!!!

15. 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 not2. be part of a group and play a role not
possible in “real life.”possible in “real life.”
 3. have social connections with other3. have social connections with other
gamers/chatters is highly reinforcinggamers/chatters is highly reinforcing
 4. maintain a relationship not possible in4. maintain a relationship not possible in
“real world” (romantic/sexual)“real world” (romantic/sexual)

16. 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 seriousDeath from computer game addiction or serious
medical problems from marathon gaming withoutmedical problems from marathon gaming without
eating or sleeping.eating or sleeping.

17. Associated DifficultiesAssociated Difficulties
 Social Anxiety DisorderSocial Anxiety Disorder
 Fear of social or performance situations that evokeFear 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 ofLoss of interest in external world, feelings of
sadness, lethargy, appetite changes, sleepsadness, lethargy, appetite changes, sleep
disturbance.disturbance.

18. 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

19. 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/

20. 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
 counseling@drexel.educounseling@drexel.edu

21. Screening: To assess your level of addiction, answer the followingScreening: 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 than1. 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 spend2. 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 Internet3. 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 fellow4. 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 about5. 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?

22. 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 because6. 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 something7. 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 productivity8. 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 when9. 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 about10. 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?

23. 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 you11. 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 Internet12. 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 someone13. 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 Internet15. 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?

24. 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 more16. 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 you17. 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 over19. 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 you20. 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?

25. ResultsResults
 20 - 49 points:20 - 49 points: You are an average on-line user. YouYou are an average on-line user. You
may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you havemay 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 orYou are experiencing occasional or
frequent problems because of the Internet. You shouldfrequent 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 causingYour Internet usage is causing
significant problems in your life. You should evaluatesignificant problems in your life. You should evaluate
the impact of the Internet on your life and address thethe impact of the Internet on your life and address the
problems directly caused by your Internet usage.problems directly caused by your Internet usage.