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Caught in the web

Twenty-eight-year-old Brett Walker is addicted to the Internet—everything from surfing the web for news, politics and forums to playing World of Warcraft. Walker says his addiction began at 13, but he only sought professional help about a year ago. After being away from the web for only an hour, Walker would start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. “I had my iPhone and was pretty much always connected,” he recalls. “It was like a disease—it went into so many parts of my life.”

Internet Addiction Disorder refers to excessive amount of Internet use that interferes with daily life. It affects about six to 13 per cent of the American population as a whole. The rate of addiction jumps to 13 to 19 per cent for people aged 18 to 28.

Symptoms of IAD include increasing amounts of time spent on the Internet and failed attempts to control behaviour. People with IAD have a heightened sense of euphoria while on the computer, constantly craving more time on the web.

Most people—especially students—are frequently connected to the web, but are unaware of the consequences. According to Internet addiction specialist Hilarie Cash, IAD is a growing concern. In 2009, Cash founded reSTART, the first Internet and gaming addiction recovery program in North America. The clinic, located in Washington, offers a program for video game or Internet addicts aged 18 to 38.

Even though Walker sought professional help for depression last year, he called reSTART only eight weeks ago to work with therapists specializing in Internet addiction. He says he needed to confront the issues he’d been escaping through the Internet.

“It takes over your life—you’re not really yourself,” Walker explains. “People hold opinions of you that you don’t think accurately describe you, but then you realize that the person they see you as is who you are because that’s how you’re acting.”

Although IAD is a growing problem in North America, it’s an even bigger problem in Asia. In both China and South Korea, public health officials have designated it as a national public health threat. “I think we are delayed—behind the curve in [the North America] when it comes to recognizing what a significant problem it is,” Cash says. “However, I think that will change […] and I definitely think that our problem is going to increase.”

Kimberly Young, an internationally recognized Internet addiction specialist, urges that we need more prevention programs in schools, since children are more at risk. “No one seems to be doing this in the USA or seems to care,” she says. “It’s a large problem. We push technology when we should not—it has impacted social development as well as creativity and learning in schools.”

While IAD is a growing problem, it isn’t officially recognized in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as an addiction. But Cash thinks it will be included in the manual’s next edition. If IAD is recognized as an official health risk, she thinks people will begin to take the issue seriously.

While some people are more prone to IAD than others, it can happen to anyone—especially those who use the computer excessively from an early age. “When [a person is] not forced by their parents to live a more balanced life, or have a more moderated approach to it, then they become more comfortable with the technology than without it,” Cash explains.

Factors that predispose people to this addiction include loneliness and boredom. Genetic markers can also make people more prone to IAD, but definitely don’t account for all of the problems, according to Cash. “There is evidence that some people are genetically predisposed to addictions in general because their brains don’t produce the necessary amount of dopamine,” she explains. “If you’re a person who just doesn’t produce adequate levels of dopamine, you are going to be engaging in behaviour that elevate dopamine, and then you are at risk for addiction.”

Young emphasizes IAD must be treated to prevent future consequences. The addiction can cause lack of sleep, eyestrain, back problems, hand and arm problems, plus reduced diet and nutrition.

The best way to avoid IAD in a society so dependent on the Internet is by setting boundaries. “If you can limit your pleasurable Internet and video game time to only two hours a day—that includes Facebooking, surfing the net, responding to texts, video game playing—you are much less likely to become addicted,” Cash notes.

While IAD is a fairly new concept in the realm of addictions, it can and should be treated. “Everyone has to deal with themselves and some people view seeking help as mission of defeat,” Walker says. “But for me it was a victory, and taking the next step forward was a courageous thing to do and the right thing to do.”

Talk therapy, outpatient addiction recovery services and private care are some of the available treatment options in North America. For more information on reSTART Internet Addiction and Recovery Centre visit netaddictionrecovery.com

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