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Internet Addiction Treatment
The internet is everywhere in daily life and can be seen as something that makes life easier. Individuals use it to find jobs, connect with friends, or consume media that entertains them. However, while the internet can be a versatile utility, it can also be addictive, and for some, this can interfere with productivity and mental health.
If you find yourself at a point where you lose control over your internet use, Sierra Recovery can help you retake control of your behaviour so you can have a healthy online life.
Is Internet Addiction a Concern in the United Kingdom?
Internet addiction is not prevalent worldwide because the majority of people across the globe do not have reliable access to the internet. It’s estimated that only about 6 per cent of the world’s population has an internet addiction.
In the United Kingdom, a 2019 Office for National Statistics report found that almost all people aged 16 to 44 used the internet. Adults aged 75 and up have the lowest rates of internet use, but the generation of internet use has been narrowing in recent years.
These rates do not indicate the true prevalence of internet addiction in the UK. However, there are inevitably those who will need to overcome internet addiction.
What Is Internet Addiction?
While it is normal in this day and age to interact online in some form, internet addiction disorder is a behavioural addiction where a person spends excessive amounts of time online. When time on the internet cannot be managed, they may become preoccupied with their internet use, which becomes problematic. Some obsess over using it and anticipate the next time they can go online. They may also struggle with psychological withdrawal symptoms if they are unable to use the internet.
The signs of internet addiction do not stop at excessive internet usage. Like other forms of addiction, a person can also develop a tolerance, and they may need to increase the amount of time they spend on the internet to achieve satisfaction.
Internet Addiction Treatment
Treating internet addiction or any process addiction will generally require a multifaceted approach. But for internet addiction, this can be particularly complex as abstinence is not an option. Learning a healthier approach while still interacting with it is the goal of treatment. This approach can include:
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy sessions can be an important part of overcoming any addiction. One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist can give someone a safe space to delve into the underlying causes of their internet use.
Group Therapy
Group therapy and support groups are another essential part of helping people who are suffering from internet addiction. It can offer someone a supportive community of people struggling with compulsive internet use.
Behavioural Therapy
Behavioural therapies can be instrumental in helping a person overcome an addiction to the internet. It can help people identify and change the thought patterns that compel them to stay online for hours on end. It can also help them tolerate emotional distress and set boundaries to cultivate a healthy online life.
Types of Internet Addiction
Internet addiction can come in numerous forms because of the various types of areas being online can be used. Some of the ways that internet addiction can present include:
Cybersex Addiction
A cybersex addiction is when a person becomes addicted to online sexual activities. This can include watching excessive amounts of online porn or interacting with adult content creators. This form of addiction can be harmful to a person’s real-life intimacy and relationships, as it may lead to sexual problems or make it hard for a person to form relationships offline.
Gaming Addiction
A gaming addiction is a form of internet addiction where a person spends excessive amounts of time online playing games to the point where they may not be able to function normally. A major factor behind this addiction is that many online games continually receive updates, giving players new things to do and compelling them to continue playing.
Net Compulsions
Several online activities, such as gambling, social media, shopping, or stock trading, can be done online. Some people may become addicted to these online compulsions, and they may incur financial strain as a result of these compulsions. A major driver of these compulsions is the apps and websites making these activities accessible to anyone with a smartphone.
Compulsive Information Seeking
Between news websites and online encyclopedias, the internet is filled with the sum total of humanity’s knowledge. Some people may become obsessed with finding and consuming as much information as possible. A person who has preexisting obsessive-compulsive tendencies can be vulnerable to this form of internet addiction.
Online Relationship Addiction
This is the impulse to find, cultivate, and maintain online relationships. These relationships can occur in chatrooms or other platforms where users can directly message each other. People who develop this form of internet addiction may neglect or abandon real-world relationships entirely.
The Effects of Being Addicted to the Internet
Physical Effects
The effects of being addicted to the internet include eye strain from spending long hours staring at a screen that emits blue light, as well as wrist strain. Spending hours online can also change a person’s sleep patterns and potentially lead to the development of sleep disorders.
Mental Effects
The effects of internet addiction include mental health concerns as well. Excessive internet use has been linked to anxiety, depression, and poor overall mental health.
Social Effects
The impact of internet addiction also includes social effects. Apart from the previously mentioned difficulties with romantic relationships, the amount of time a person spends on online activities may lead to social isolation. People may neglect spending time with family and friends or even going outside.
Responsible Internet Usage
For most cases of addiction, complete and total sobriety is the goal of addiction recovery. However, total sobriety is next to impossible when it comes to internet addiction. Today, participating in society requires a person to use the internet.
Looking for a job, booking travel tickets and accommodations, shopping, even meeting new people to befriend or date, or even ordering food at some restaurants may require a person to go online. Some jobs even require a person to be online or involve heavy internet use.
The goal of treatment for internet addiction is not to get someone to go offline for the rest of their lives. It’s to help them develop habits and boundaries so they can use the internet without letting it control their lives.
People need to use the internet. There is no getting around the need to participate in modern society. Going completely offline is not an option for a lot of people. Between public WiFi networks and cellular data coverage, access to the internet is a given in most places.
However, people can limit the amount of time they spend online so that it doesn’t completely take control of their lives. Those who are recovering from internet abuse may use the internet, but they have to be able to set limits on their time spent on the internet.
Other Treatments
Our treatment programmes do not just treat a singular disorder. Rather, they are based on the unique needs of those who come to us for help. We offer mental health treatment for people who turn to the internet as a means of coping with their symptoms. We also provide substance use treatment for people who also struggle with substance use disorders.
Addiction is a complex disease, and a person can sometimes present with more than one concern. Our treatment is aimed at helping people meet their personal recovery goals and develop the skills they need to build a healthy life.
Take Control of Your Online Habits
There’s almost no activity in modern society that isn’t dependent on the internet to some extent. Work, banking, education, and socialising are all important parts of society, and they depend on the Internet.
Not using the internet altogether isn’t an option for most people. However, some people can take control of their online habits. At Sierra Recovery, we’re here to help you develop healthier internet use.
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