Blog Entry
Internet Addiction – A Serious Crisis!
August 26, 2009 by Viper, under General, Internet, Randomness.
As wonderful as it may seem, the Internet is a fascinating tool to which everyone (well almost) has adopted a keen interest of the benefits it provides. However the more time you spend surfing on it, the more likely you are getting addicted to it. Over the last few news a new phenomenon has increasing at an alarming rate. Scientists call it the Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) and it has been the subject of new research and debate.
The concern is so big that in the U.S, they have a launched an addiction recovery program to help sufferers of IAD to better manage their life in a more ‘harmonious’ way. You might think this only concern to those who ‘Google’ everyday. Wrong guys!! Internet-based video games falls into this category. The program known as reSTART is meticulously planned over 45 days and it has already received it’s first patient, a 19 year old who cannot deprive himself of World of Warcraft.
So how do you know if you are an IAD sufferer? reSTART has outlined 9 symptoms by which are qualified for admittance:
- Have a strong desire to use the Internet
- Decreasing or withdrawal of internet leads to symptoms like malaise, relentlessness, lack of concentration and so on.
- Increasing usage of Internet results into satisfaction
- Difficulty to stop the usage despite you are aware it’s harmful
- Unable to control the duration of time of internet use
- Social, recreational and other personal interests decreases
- Solace is found in using the Internet so as to flee from the outside pressures
- Extent of use is denied to friends, teachers or schoolmates
- Everyday routines and social functions (academic, workability) are impaired
The treatment? Well basically it cuts off the web and online gaming and focuses more on social skills. The patients are constantly followed by a recreation coach, a therapist, exercise and yoga instructors and more. Besides each patient have a schedule to follow which includes physical exercises (sports and fitness), chores, vocational training, a 3 hour back to nature period, a regular life quest and of course he/she is given a personal time everyday from 8.30 PM to 10.00 PM after which the lights are out!
Of course, such program does not come cheap!! You’ll have to pay a hefty $14,500 to get admitted. Considering what it offers it’s worth it’s price but it should be the last resort to cure yourself. In many cases Internet addiction is self corrective. It has been proven that heavy Internet users temporary endures this illness as gradually they decrease their time on the computer. The point it’s up to you guys how you use it!
I hope it’s not too late for you. Feel free to voice out your opinions about it!!
Comment by Kurt Avish
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All the points above applies to me. I think am damn addicted