Is it surfing the web or drowning in the web?Internet Addiction

By: Anna DiNoto

What is Internet addiction? Definition

Not in DSM-IV-TR Will it be for DSM-IV-V?

‐ Rumors, but no sufficient data suggesting it will be

“In attempts to scientifically study Internet addiction, some researchers have chosen to define the new concept according to the definition of substance use disorder, while others have reasoned that pathological gambling is a more suitable reference (Kaltiala-Heino, Lintonen & Rimpela, 2004).”

“Is a broad term that covers a wide variety of behaviors and impulse control problems (Young, 1999).”

Includes five categories– Cybersexual addiction– Cyber-relationship addiction– Net compulsions– Information overload– Computer addiction

Prevalence rates (in other countries)

• South Korea (Block, 2008)– Most serious public health issue (in South Korea)

• 10 reported deaths (due to cardio-pulmonary reasons)• Several Internet game-related murders

– 1.2 million school age children (6-19 yrs)• Believed to be at-risk and need basic therapy

– As of 2007• 1,043 counselors have been trained in treating and assessing Internet addiction• 190 hospital and treatment centers created• Preventative measures in schools

• China (Block, 2008)– Estimated 10 million children addicted– In 2007, China restricted computer game use

• Current laws prohibit more than 3 hours of daily game use

Prevalent rates (in America)

• Accessed from home, hard to operationally measure (Block, 2008)– Some are ashamed, in denial or minimize his or her use

• Telephone survey conducted on adults (Aboujaoude, Koran, Gamel, Large, & Serpe, 2006)– 2,513 adults

• 14% of respondents found it hard to abstain from Internet use for several days

• 5.9% said excessive Internet use affected their relationships• 8.2% said the Internet was a means of escape from the real world• 3.7% felt preoccupied by the Internet when offline

Prevalence contd. (in America)

• Prevalence estimates vary widely, although a recent random telephone survey of the general US population reported an estimate of 0.3-0.7% (Shaw & Black, 2008).– Onset reportedly occurring in early 20s, and earlier

• Surveys show that over 60% of American households have at least one PC (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005).– Nearly 55% of households are connected to the Internet.

Possible causes

• Triple A Engine (Cooper, 1998)– Accessibility– Affordability– Anonymity

• The ACE Model (Young, 1996)– Anonymity– Convenience– Escape

Risks & problems associated with Internet addiction

• Frustration intolerance/Emotional dysregulation (Ko, Yen, Yen, Chen & Wang, 2007)– Male adolescents with Internet addiction had higher intolerance to frustration

of entitlement and emotional discomfort.– Female adolescents with it had higher intolerance to emotional discomfort and

lower tolerance to frustration of achievement.

• Diagnoses, problems & comorbidity – Depression & Social Introversion (Widyanto & Griffiths, 2006)– Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Yoo et al., 2004)– Social Phobia & depression (Yen, Ko, Yen, Wu, & Yang, 2007)– Sex addiction, i.e., cybersexual addiction/cyber affairs (Young et. Al., 2000)– Gambling (Potera, 1998)– Compulsive buying (Raab & Neuner, 2006)– Illegal activity (Hall & Parsons, 2001)

Assessment (Cash & Parker, 2007)

• Internet/Computer Addiction Services– Signs & symptoms of gaming addiction

• http://www.icaservices.com/index.htm• Founded in 1999• Redmond, WA.• Hilarie Cash, PhD and Jay Parker, CDP

Treatment (Cash & Parker, 2007)• The 12 Step Model (used in the No More Secrets Program for sex and love addicts)

– Alcoholics Anonymous– Qualifications:

• Desire to stop living out a pattern of addiction• Required to attend 12-step meetings• Participation in individual and group therapy

– To counter addiction, the focus is put on three major resources:• The willingness to stop acting out in our own, personal bottom-line (i.e. addictive)

behavior on a daily basis.• Practicing the 12-Step program of recovery to achieve sobriety. • Developing a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves which can guide us

and sustain us in recovery.

• The Harm-Reduction Model (used in the Gaming and Internet Treatment Program for video game addicts) – The treatment is tailored to the gamer and the situation. – Individual, group, family, and couple's counseling are used as needed.

Questions