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Internet Addiction: When Use Becomes Abuse

09 Dec 2007

9 Dec, 2007  blogging news

Like many of you, I spend entirely too much time online. Managing email, surfing the web, and writing for three blogs easily consumes several hours per day. I justify my Internet usage by the fact that I’m doing something productive, not harming anyone in the process, making a few extra dollars, and darn it - I’m just having fun! But when does “fun” cross the line and become an addiction?

I recently read an article about Internet addiction in HR Magazine, a publication of the Society of Human Resource Management. As an HR professional, I am quite aware of the growing concern of Internet abuse in the workplace, but I had never really thought of Internet use as being a legitimate addiction that can severely disrupt both professional and personal lives. When I read about Renae, a state government analyst who spends six of her eight daily work hours surfing the net, I decided to do some further research on the topic.

According to a 2006 study by Stanford University School of Medicine, one in eight Americans exhibits signs of Internet addiction. The typical affected individual is a single, college-educated white male in his 30s. He spends approximately 30 hours per week on “nonessential computer use.” Elias Aboujaoude, Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Director of Stanford’s Impulse Control Disorders Clinic, believes that Internet addiction is not unlike substance abuse or other impulse-control disorders. Sufferers experience “a repetitive, intrusive and irresistible urge to perform an act that may be pleasurable in the moment but that can lead to significant problems on the personal and professional levels.”

The Center for Internet Addiction Recovery defines the warning signs of Internet addiction as:

  • compulsive use of the Internet
  • preoccupation with being online
  • lying or hiding the extent or nature of online behavior
  • inability to control or curb online behavior

Forms of Internet abuse include cybersex and cyberporn, online affairs, eBay, online gambling, compulsive surfing, and multi-user role playing games. I find it interesting that blogging wasn’t mentioned.

National surveys indicate that more than 50% of Internet addicts also suffer from some other form of addiction - usually drugs, alcohol, smoking, or sex. Many of them also battle emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. Female internet addicts focus their online efforts on chatting and shopping, whereas men participate in games, porn, and gambling.

The Center for Internet Addiction Recovery offers a number of services and resources, including a Recovery Blog and a podcast, to help those suffering from problematic Internet use. If excessive Internet use is creating problems in your daily life, please take a moment to check out the links I have provided.

As for me, I have no time for that. I still have several hours of blogging left to do!

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19 Responses

  1. teeni

    2007 Dec 09 1

    Just stopping in to welcome your new blog to the neighborhood! ;)

  2. josey

    2007 Dec 09 2

    tish — congrats! love the new site and i’m counting on it being a hit :) i’m subscribed already!

    i found the info in your post to be quite intriguing, especially — as you said — they didnt mention blogging! do you think maybe blogging still isnt completely accepted as a full-blown hobby/business venture yet? i’m a decent computer nerd in my 30s, but hot and heavy blogging didnt hit my worldview until just this year. i’m still discovering all the benefits (and drawbacks) of it myself.

    i’m not, however, surprised by the “50%” statistic. that’s what makes me sometimes step back and take a look at my own consumption of the internet from time to time. i think its a must!

    thanks for the great info. hopefully i dont have to refer back to your resources in the not-so-near future. ;)

  3. Graham

    2007 Dec 09 3

    Just a little message to congratulate you on your new blog. It looks great - fantastic design… I love it!!! I look forward to reading your posts, and will visit often!

    Warmest regards ~ Graham xoxo

  4. Mark

    2007 Dec 09 4

    First of all, congratulations on your new blog! :)

    I am SO glad they didn’t mention “blogging” otherwise, I just might have to go undercover to get my fix. “What me? Blogging? Hehe…no no no, that’s that OTHER guy.” LOL

  5. Mike Huang

    2007 Dec 09 5

    Great new blog you have here :) Keep it up!

    -Mike

  6. Liza S.

    2007 Dec 10 6

    :o This post worries me. I do tend to spend a LOT of time on the internet, to the point of sometimes downplaying it a bit for fear of seeming like I don’t have a life >.<

  7. Eric "Speedcat Holly

    2007 Dec 10 7

    Nope… blogging is not mentioned! Off to visit some friends blogs then :-)

    Congrats on the new blog, and a great topic for a new venture. Don’t stay up to late (laughing)

  8. newscoma

    2007 Dec 12 8

    Very cool. This is really awesome.

  9. Blogging Gal

    2007 Dec 14 9

    Teeni - Thanks for the friendly welcome!

    Josey - Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Blogging seems to be pretty mainstream these days, so I really can’t imagine why it wasn’t mentioned on the Internet Addiction website. We can all testify to the fact that it’s an addition! ;)

    Graham - Thank you so much!

    Mark - Thanks! Ha! I know what you mean about the blogging. I’m one of the worst offenders! ;)

    Mike - Thanks so much! Glad you stopped by!

    Liza - Maybe we should start a support group. We can all meet online to discuss our addictions. ;)

    Speedcat - Thanks! And it’s nice to know you’re not addicted. ;)

    Newscoma - Thanks for stopping by!

  10. Garry Conn

    2007 Dec 14 10

    Oh man.. no doubt, I wonder why they didn’t include blogging or watching YouTube videos in the list??? LOL!!!

  11. Johann

    2007 Dec 21 11

    For a minute there I thought Mum was going to have to check me into rehab - but they didn’t mention blogging, whew! BOL!

    Love the new blog Tish - and a very Happy Holiday to you, Cruella and Molly!!!!

    Woofs, Johann

    Johann’s last blog post..Free trial issue of Clean Run - for you agility fans!

  12. Blogging Gal

    2007 Dec 28 12

    Garry - I have no idea, but I’m happy they didn’t! ;)

    Johann - Ha! Maybe we can be roomies at the rehab clinic! Glad you like the new blog. Thank you!

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  14. taylor

    2008 Nov 03 14

    Alcohol and drug addiction are diseases that progress through predictable stages.
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    2008 Nov 13 15

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    2008 Dec 19 16

    Hi

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  17. Lindsay @ Addiction Rehab Blog

    2009 Jan 03 17

    It is true people can experience addiction to activities as well as things they ingest. And while for some the addiction to the internet can be a real problem. For most even if they fell “addicted” they are just in the habit of using the internet and enjoy it. With substance abuse the physical toll on the body is extremely harmful.

    Lindsay @ Addiction Rehab Blog’s last blog post..Alcohol is a Major Cause of Drug Rehab Admissions

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