Internet Addiction Disorder: A Review (Part 2)

MODELS OF IAD

Clinical research on behavioral addictions has focused on compulsive gambling (8), overeating (11), and compulsive sexual behavior (12). Similar addiction models have been applied to technological overuse (24), computer dependency (25) and obsessive video game playing. These theories include psychodynamic and personality explanations, socio-cultural explanations, behavioral explanations, and biomedical explanations (26). Not all explain any addiction perfectly and some are better than others at explaining Internet addiction.

Diathesis-stress model

A dispositional model or diathesis-stress model of addiction might help in understanding IAD. Certain people, due to a variety of factors, may be predisposed (diathesis) to developing an addiction to something, be it alcohol, heroin, gambling, sex, shopping, or online computer services. If the right stressor, or combination of stressors, affects the person at a critical time, the person may be more inclined to develop an addiction.

Behavioral explanations

These explanations are based on B.F. Skinner's studies on operant conditioning (27). The person performs a behavior and gets either rewarded or punished for the behavior. Behaviour that is rewarded is reinforced and the person intends to indulge in that behaviour more frequently. This again becomes reinforcing, and the cycle continues.

Biomedical explanations

According to this perspective, this would make someone susceptible to addiction (27). There is definiteive research that shows that some drugs act to fill in the synaptic gaps of the neurons in the brain, fooling the brain into sending out faulty information. This, it is thought, is one reason for the "high” one gets from engaging in activities such as running, drug use, and gambling. This might apply to Internet addiction, since many opportunities on the Internet are fun and exciting.

What To Do If Addicted To The 'Net?

Dealing with Internet Addiction is no different than dealing with any other type of addiction. All people who are addicted (to anything) have some degree of denial. Without denial, most addictions would not have become established in the first place. First, acknowledge the problem instead of denying when pointed by others around you or yourself. Don’t panic if established.

Second, just because there is a debate about the validity of this diagnostic category among professionals doesn't mean there isn't help for it. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Addiction should never be viewed as a problem in and of itself. Addictions are much better viewed as a symptom of other underlying problems and deficiencies. One must look beyond the addiction itself and deal with underlying deficiencies in coping and life management skills that have given rise to it. If you have a life problem, or are grappling with a disorder such as depression, seek professional treatment for it. Once you admit and address the problem, other pieces of your life will fall back into place. Psychologists have studied compulsive behaviors and their treatments for years now, and nearly any well-trained mental health professional will be able to help you learn to slowly curve the time spent online, and address the problems or concerns in your life that may have contributed to your online overuse, or were caused by it.

It's not the technology that is important or addicting -- it's the behavior. And behaviors are easily treatable by traditional cognitive-behavior techniques in psychotherapy (28).

Once you take on the challenge of dealing with any addiction, you will need to marshal your ability to successfully deal with temptation. If you don’t have a sense that you have this power to succeed, you can use your addiction as an opportunity to discover that you really do have this important capability.

REFERENCES

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