When you hear the phrase 'Internet addiction,' what comes to mind? An obsessed teenager glued to their keyboard? Every chat or texting gadget available piled around a monitor? While Internet addiction may seem humorous, considering America's great accumulation of electronic toys, it is an addiction as serious and harmful as any other and should be have sensitive understanding and intervention.
       
Internet addiction is a disorder in which one begins relying on the Internet for self-fulfillment, entertainment, or company. An addict will gradually spend an increasing amount of time on the Internet, often to relieve depression or anxiety, or simply because it's a fun activity. Many others are lonely and enjoy chatting with online buddies, and some grow addicted to Internet gambling, which is linked to the condition of general gambling addiction.
        
Like a drug, they continue treating the Internet as a "Band-Aid" to avoid their troubles, boredom or being alone, and soon believe that they cannot manage without it. Their excessive computer use can quickly cause familial problems, as children, spouses and friends are cast in a shadow of the Internet and neglected.
       
It can even grow to the point where they quit or lose their jobs in order to satisfy their cravings for the Internet, and their financial lives crumble. A teenager or young adult addict's academic lives often suffer, and can lead to the point of failing.
       
But with the Internet such a large part of most people's lives, how do you distinguish an addiction? What are the symptoms?
       
Addicts have a tendency to 'numb' their bad moods with the Internet, and when suffering 'withdrawal' often become tense, emotional and antsy. Also, addicts may lie to family and friends about the time they've spent on the Internet to cover up their problem.  They show little concern for anything besides their addiction, including their career, school and family. And of course, they spend much more than a healthy amount of time on the Internet.
       
Many addicts succeed in simply "weaning" themselves off the Internet, but others must go through therapy, depending on the severity of the addiction. Many stay in therapy for many years, and some go on medication for help with their pre-existing condition that caused them to turn to the Internet, such as anxiety or depression.
      
If you believe you are addicted to the Internet or know someone who is, there are plenty of helpful resources. The Center of Internet Addiction (www.internetaddiction.com) offers many treatment services and help resources, and you can always simply seek help from a counselor.
      
There are plenty of ways to get help! Just turn off the computer and ask!

Sources:

http://www.addictionrecov.org/internet.htm
http://www.netaddiction.com/