Do You Have an Internet Addiction? Part 1

In Psychiatry we define addictions as habitual usage of something that creates physical and psychological dependence. Furthermore, when the activity is discontinued, the individual experiences withdrawal. Substances such as alcohol and drugs fall under this addiction model. When considering behaviors such as sexual activity, shopping, eating and more recently internet use, these behaviors don’t quite meet the biological model of addiction, but researchers have recognized that people can fall into a similar pattern of escalating the behavior while having trouble discontinuing it despite experiencing negative consequences. These behaviors can more broadly fall under impulse-control disorders.

The idea of a computer addiction first emerged in the 70’s and 80’s, however with the introduction of Broadband, it is now estimated that over 200 million people in the US use the internet. This equates to almost 70% of the population (source: Liu T, Potenza MN, CNS Spectr. Vol 12, No. 6, 2007). A few people have proposed criteria for diagnosing Internet Addiction as a disease entity.

The following is diagnostic criteria proposed by KS Young in an article published in Cyberpsychol Behav 1998; 11:237-244. A person must have 5 or more of these 8 criteria:

1. Is preoccupied with the internet (thinks about previous online activity or anticipates the next online session)
2. Needs to use the Internet with increased amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction
3. Has made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop Internet use
4. Is restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use
5. Has stayed online longer than originally intended
6. Has jeopardized or risked the loss of significant relationship, job, educational, or career opportunity because of the internet
7. Has lied to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet
8. Uses the Internet as a way to escape problems or to relieve a dysphoric mood (such as feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression).

Young used the criteria for substance dependence as a model with some criticism as the behavior does not involve the physiological dependence I previously mentioned. Other researchers have developed more broad criteria, but Internet Addiction or Problematic Internet Use still has not been accepted into standard practice.

To be continued: