Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is a relatively new term, referring to excessive computer use that can interfere with an individual’s daily life. Mental health professionals claim this particular affliction has many similarities to common addictions, such as smoking, drugs and drinking. But in comparison to these serious and often life threatening conditions, is Internet Addiction an actual and ‘real’ compulsive disorder? Or is this new catchphrase simply a knee-jerk reaction to an activity no less harmful than excessive television viewing or reading?

IAD is often mentioned in the press, and its classification as a psychological disorder is being researched and widely debated among experts.
This condition also seems to have generated a little side industry for therapists. There are many websites offering help, advice and ‘affordable’ treatment, and a questionnaire developed to determine if you have an addiction and if so, the extent of that addiction. Therapists can even earn a certificate in Internet Addiction Recovery and there are various support groups for sufferers, including a 12 Step Program. ‘Addicts’ can also purchase books and tapes in abundance.

With society’s increasing dependence on e-mail for business and personal correspondence, and the ever growing popularity of social network sites such as Facebook and MySpace, half the population could be loosely diagnosed with Internet addiction. After checking and answering e-mails, browsing through a couple of news sites, updating a profile and maybe applying for jobs online, an average person could spend at least a couple of hours a day on their computer. But does this make them addicts?

First it would be helpful to define addiction. There are many definitions floating about on the web, and most refer to addiction as “the compulsive need to use a habit-forming substance,” or “an irresistible urge to engage in a behavior.” There are other defining factors, such as tolerance, the increasing need for more of the substance to achieve the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms when the addict is denied the desired substance.

In addition to dependence on substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and food, there are also a number of behaviors that can also be classed as addictions. And here is where the Internet comes in. Those Internet Addicts can take their place alongside sex addicts, gambling addicts, shopaholics, workaholics, and so on.

Looking back many people wonder how they got along without the Internet. It has made communicating with friends, and in the case of social networks, strangers you’ve never met who are ‘friends’, so much easier. Information, music, books, and videos are also readily available and the workplace is more efficient. In essence the Internet has become an integral part of modern day life for most people.

So with this in mind, what causes Internet addiction, and how would an individual diagnose themselves or others? Excessive or compulsive Internet use becomes problematic when it interferes with normal life, according to the experts. In other words the household, family, friends, work and other responsibilities suffer as a consequence. In the case of children, homework is not completed and grades plummet.
Signs, apparently, can include an obsessive desire to check e-mail, spending excessive amounts of time online and limiting socializing to interaction with cyber strangers.

Dr. Kimberly Young is an internationally known expert on Internet addiction and online behavior, and is director of the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery. She has written several books on the subject and has also developed the Internet Addiction Test, a 20-item questionnaire (which can, ironically, be taken online) that measures mild, moderate and severe levels of Internet Addiction.

These are some of the questions: How often do you find that you stay on-line longer than you intended? How often do you neglect household chores to spend more time on-line? How often do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins? How often do you prefer the excitement of the Internet to intimacy with your partner? How often do you check your e-mail before something else that you need to do? How often do you find yourself anticipating when you will go on-line again?

Many would argue that the same could be asked of book worms, kids playing with their Legos, avid movie watchers; budding Einstein’s spending too much time alone…

So is Internet Addiction an actual clinical disorder with dire consequences? Or is just another in a long line of ambiguous conditions, like restless leg syndrome, that ‘experts’ can cash in on?

And how would a sufferer overcome such an affliction? Total abstinence? Talk therapy? Aversion training? Drying out clinics?

Most sensible and intelligent adults should be able to recognize any excessive and obsessive behavior regarding their own Internet use. Much of the ‘condition’ could be attributed to loneliness or introverts preferring cyber acquaintances to real life versions, which is hardly a problem in most people’s eyes. For them the Internet is a godsend. Or maybe a person simply enjoys surfing the web, and would rather play games online and make friends on Facebook, than watch television or go to the bar. On the other hand the Internet, just like anything else slightly pleasurable, can become addictive. As for this being a ‘real’ psychological disorder though, that’s still open to debate.

For those who’d like to find out if they may be ‘addicted’ to the Internet, or are just curious to see what it’s all about, the Internet Addiction test is available online: http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm

Alison Hill is a writer, TV producer and journalist, who spends a lot of time online…but according to her test score of 45, is an “average on-line user,” who may “surf the Web a bit too long at times,” but has control over usage!

Do you think Internet Addiction is a real and serious condition? Write to Alison with your comments and let her know your test results!