Understanding Internet Addiction: Symptoms, Risk Factors, And Treatment, Introductory Article

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 five 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. Therefore, this course provides therapists with the tools to properly evaluate online 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, “Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Disorder,” provides a theoretical framework for understanding the concept of Internet addiction. It is a landmark study and the most important article in the course as the first to study Internet addiction. Using 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 dependent online users and how interactive applications such as to chat rooms and online games as well as the anonymous availability of online pornography play primary roles in the development of the disorder.

Article #3, also written by Dr. Kimberly Young entitled, “What Makes the Internet Addiction: Potential Explanations for Pathological Internet Use” examines the motives of Internet addicts and the underlying drives of the addiction process. The article explores how the Internet, especially the interactive applications such as chat rooms and online games, provide a powerful psychological outlet for online addicts to seek out social support, engage in forbidden sexual fantasies, and reinvent themselves through online personas that provide potential explanations for their addictive Internet use.

Article #4, also written by Dr. Kimberly S. Young with Roger Rogers, B.S., entitled “The Relationship between Internet Addiction and Depression,” outlines how clinical depression relates to Internet addiction. Dual diagnosis is often associated with addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, and sex, and the Internet is no different. Using the Beck Depression Inventory, therapists will be learn how low self-esteem, poor motivation, fear of rejection, and the need for approval associated with depressives play a significant role in the development of online addiction and explores the need for accurate assessment in dual diagnosis particular to this client population.

Article #5, “Internet Addiction: Symptoms, Evaluation, and Treatment” provides a deeper look at the complexities of diagnosing online addiction within the context of or our technologically driven culture. To help therapists understand the dynamics underlying the gravitational pull of cyberspace, the article outlines risk factors and 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.