by Beth Livingston
Certified Recovery Specialist
Certainly, I have seen what I think would be considered an Internet addiction. A young man who used to rent a room from us, spent endless hours playing an online game. He would go without sleep and meals some days as he progressed in the virtual world. I don’t know the exact name of the game he played. We jokingly called it “Evercrack.”
In hindsight, where many things once thought funny turn out to be serious, we see that this man’s behavior cost him his job, his lodging, his reputation, and his health. If it were cocaine that he sought, it would clearly have been considered an addiction. But, it was a behavior, not a substance. It’s not an addiction according to the current criteria of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). It would most likely be considered an impulse-control disorder, like pathological gambling.
The checklist below is derived from the
APA’s findings on pathological gambling. The concept of “Internet use” is substituted for “gambling” and “time” is substituted for “money.” Using this checklist, determine if you or someone you know may be able to define their Internet use as a behavior disorder.
1 – Is preoccupied with the Internet (preoccupied with reliving past Internet experiences, planning the next Internet experience, or thinking of ways to spend more time in an online activity.)
2 – Needs to use the Internet with increased amounts of time in order to achieve the desired excitement.
3 – Has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use.
4 – Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use.
5 – Uses the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression).
6 – After spending more time than planned in an online activity, often returns thinking they will stay online less time the next time.
7 – Lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet.
8 – Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of the Internet.
9 – Relies on other to cover time missed to relieve a desperate situation caused by spending time on the Internet.
If someone’s Internet use is defined by many of the criteria above, it does not matter if they call it an addiction or not. The person risks great consequences if he or she chooses to do nothing about it.
What is this checklist revealing to you? Do you need to make a change? Are you tired of wasting so much time on the Internet?
If your answer is yes, then your first step would be to confess it to God, turn away from the Internet, and turn toward God. The next step would be to contact your pastor, a recovery group, a counselor, or a trusted friend and no longer deny that you have a problem. You can always call the Prayer Counselors at CBN. They are available 24 hours a day at (800) 759-0700.
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