Understanding Internet Addiction:Symptoms, Risk Factors And Treatment, Intro

An Introductory Article to Online Course on
Internet Addiction: Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment

By Kimberly, S. Young, Ph.D.

This is an introduction to the online course on Internet Addiction. This is the first of six articles that compose the course.

This course critically examines the concept of Internet addiction. As a new and emergent disorder, the course is designed to provide therapists with a framework for understanding the dynamics of Internet addiction and outlines practical skills in how to treat this growing client population.

As we live in a technology-driven culture, it is difficult for therapists to differentiate this new type of compulsive behavior from normal patterns of computer use. This course provides therapists with the tools to properly evaluate Internet addiction and reviews the risk factors and consequences associated with the disorder. Finally, treating Internet-addicted clients when they need to use the computer for work or school is difficult and traditional abstinence models cannot generally be applied. To help guide clients through the recovery process, this course reviews several specialized treatment techniques especially designed for this unique client population.

Article #2, written by Dr. Kimberly Young entitled, “Understanding Internet Addiction,” provides a theoretical framework for understanding the concept of Internet addiction. Utilizing a modified version of DSM criteria for Pathological Gambling as a model, the article provides therapists with an eight-item diagnostic list of criteria useful in determining if a client suffers from online addiction. It also provides therapists with insights into the behavioral and functional difficulties experienced by the addict.

Article #3, also written by Dr. Kimberly Young entitled “Subtypes of Internet Addiction,” outlines the major subtypes of Internet addiction. Specifically, the article explores the compulsive use of Internet pornography, adult chat rooms, chat rooms in general, online role-playing games, Internet gambling, and eBay addiction. The article reviews how these online activities can become addictive in the same way we discuss addictions to drugs, gambling, food, and sex, and how the Internet is no different.

Article #4, also written by Dr. Kimberly Young entitled, “What Makes the Internet Addictive” examines the motives of Internet addicts and the underlying drives of the addiction process. Specifically, the article explores how the Internet, especially the interactive applications such as chat rooms and online games, provide a powerful psychological outlet for Internet addicts to seek out social support, experience emotional catharsis, engage in hidden sexual fantasies, and reinvent themselves through online personas that provide potential explanations for their addictive Internet use.

Article #5, also written by Dr. Kimberly Young entitled, “Assessment of Internet Addiction” provides a deeper look at the complexities of diagnosing online addiction within the context of our technologically driven culture. To help therapists understand the dynamics underlying the gravitational pull of cyberspace, the article presents “The Internet Addiction Test” the first reliable and valid measure of Internet addiction, consequences associated with compulsive online behavior, and details a comprehensive set of assessment procedures and treatment strategies for the Internet-addicted client.

Article #6, “Treatment Outcomes with Internet Addicts using Cognitive Behavior Therapy” provides the first empirical data to show long-term treatment effectiveness using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with Internet-addicted clients. The article examines how CBT can be applied to manage client symptoms such as time management, therapeutic motivation, and relationship function over the course of 12 weekly individual sessions. Assessments made after three, eight, and twelve sessions show improved symptom management and overall client function and assessments made upon six-month follow-up after termination show long-term treatment efficacy.