In addition to drugs, alcohol and nicotine, another addictive substance is increasingly making a name for itself, which is often completely underestimated: the Internet. In today’s life, most people can hardly imagine life without it and it is a natural part of everyday life as a constant companion: on the tablet, with the smartphone or in front of the laptop – many people are online around the clock, some privately, some even as part of their job. However, there is a danger for both user groups, because as many advantages and work simplifications as the worldwide web may have to offer, it also holds at least as many dangerous temptations in store for every user. These include online role-playing games, chat rooms, forums and other social networks, which can cast a spell over users and exert the pull of a drug. The German Federal Ministry of Health now reports frightening figures in this regard: Over 560,000 people in Germany are now considered to be addicted to the Internet, and around two million Germans are at risk. Young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 are particularly affected. But this negative trend can be observed not only in Europe; in Asia – especially in South Korea and China – the figures are much higher.
How to recognize an Internet addiction
Recognizing the signs of an existing Internet addiction is not always easy, as sufferers usually mask their symptoms in addition. One of the most significant features is, of course, excessive Internet use, which can often last not only hours but also several days and can no longer be justified by normal activities such as work. Those affected also often develop real withdrawal symptoms if they are denied Internet access – this ranges from nervousness and anxiety to severe irritability or even depression. The constant desire to be online often keeps them busy even at night – many Internet addicts sleep poorly or only irregularly, as their thoughts constantly circle around the next move in the online game or the next chat, even in bed. However, this not only leads to sleep disorders, but also has far-reaching consequences in everyday life: Those affected often experience a sharp drop in performance; they can no longer concentrate properly and increasingly fail at school, university or work. This is often the first time that those around them or their friends notice that something is wrong with the person concerned. When confronted with the problem by others, the addict usually reacts evasively, resorting to excuses and white lies to justify his or her excessive Internet use. As a result, social contacts are often lost; friendships are no longer maintained, and often the family also withdraws. In particularly severe cases, those affected also show external signs of their Internet addiction after a certain point: Surfing for days on end is not infrequently accompanied by poor personal hygiene; likewise, nutrition suffers as a result.
Causes of computer addiction
An Internet addiction can have many different causes. Often, those affected are attracted by the escape from reality as well as the construction of their own virtual reality. On the net, the person does not have to confront possible social problems, can build their own social network and design their virtual self. Often, those affected take refuge from negative experiences from everyday life; in many cases, they suffer from inferiority complexes, shyness, loneliness or even a social phobia. In many cases, addicts can only satisfy their need for social closeness or exchange with like-minded people on the Internet and therefore spend hours and days in chat rooms or forums. Another conceivable cause of Internet addiction is the many ways in which the worldwide web makes work easier and offers many options for action: Almost everything can be ordered online and delivered to one’s home. In expert circles, experimentation with one’s own identity is often regarded as a time phenomenon that corresponds to the demand for flexibility that is common in today’s working world. Young workers today are confronted with frequent job changes, new gender roles, and financial and perspective uncertainty. These circumstances require increased adaptability; the individual must remain flexible and agile.This is epitomized by the structures of the Internet – here everything is usually short-lived, everyone can change their virtual personality at will.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The Internet has long been part of everyday life and is used by many people. In some cases, however, surfing the Internet develops into a real addiction. Those affected have a constant need to go online and can no longer control this desire. This has negative consequences for both mental and physical health. Typical symptoms of an Internet addiction include reduced attention and concentration problems. In addition, the addiction often leads to social isolation. The person affected spends a large part of his or her free time in front of the computer, neglecting contact with family and friends. Physical symptoms also accompany online addiction. Sitting for hours on end leads to muscle tension and damage to the spine. The eyes are damaged by constant staring at the screen. The uncontrolled consumption of the Internet interferes with the regular daily routine. Those affected often sit in front of the computer until late at night and suffer from sleep disorders as a result. Other needs are also neglected. Since most people find it too time-consuming to prepare meals, they often eat mainly fast food and sweets. The unhealthy diet and lack of exercise then lead to obesity.
When everyday life can no longer be managed
Every person is different and so an Internet addiction can also take a different course for each person affected. In most cases, however, certain characteristics repeat themselves: Internet consumption, which initially still seems normal, increases daily, and those affected usually surf the net late into the night. Social isolation ensues, and the affected person increasingly begins to alienate himself from friends and family. And the addiction soon leaves its mark on professional and school life as well: Internet addicts usually suffer from poor concentration, are nervous or irritable. Those affected soon skip school, no longer come to university or take sick leave week after week. It is not uncommon for them to drop out of their studies or even lose their jobs. And in their private lives, too, those affected usually lose any form of control. It is not uncommon for them to no longer be able to manage the household, neglect washing and cooking, and often visibly litter the apartment. The more everyday life is derailed, the more the social problems of the addict are joined by severe changes in character. These are often caused by the virtual reality, but often also by the altered perception of the person affected: Almost anyone who could recognize the addiction behind the Internet consumption and possibly even take action is seen as a potential adversary and treated as such. In addition, patients usually also suffer from physical symptoms such as weight gain, headaches or back pain, which make it even more difficult for them to cope with their daily lives.
Complications
More and more people are becoming addicted to the Internet. If users can’t get away from the computer, don’t take breaks, play online games for hours, gamble, are in an online buying frenzy or overwork themselves with online jobs on online portals, they should pull the ripcord at the right time and see a doctor. Many take work home with them or continue to surf the Internet after the workday. If frequent smartphone use and game consoles are added to the mix, permanent stress can develop that may need to be treated. If a doctor is consulted, he or she can provide behavioral tips and balance further treatment. Some Internet addicts surf late into the night or even until the next morning. There are also cases where people sit in front of the computer for days, sometimes even with the help of stimulants or drugs. This can upset the entire sleep and biorhythm. Even then, a doctor or even a specialist should definitely be consulted, ideally a psychiatrist. Forms of therapy include talk therapy, occupational therapy, discussion groups or targeted relaxation methods. Many local authorities offer therapy groups for Internet addicts.Meanwhile, the problem generates a considerable economic damage, because, for example, in addition to sleep disorders, eye or back problems can arise, which costs health insurance companies a lot of money.
When should you go to the doctor?
Surfing has become an everyday activity today. There is hardly a middle-aged or young person who is not interested in the Internet and its possibilities. In this respect, surfing, which takes up a large part of the day, does not have to be unusual or even pathological per se. Medical help is advisable if surfing the net makes regular everyday life impossible. The signs of an addiction are given when the normal daily routine collapses because those affected do everything to spend as much time as possible on the Internet. There is nothing wrong with this as long as the day continues in its usual structure. However, if those affected notice that they are neglecting their professional duties or their family in favor of the Net, there is a danger that normal everyday life will soon break down. Even if the addiction has reached the point where quite ordinary things such as personal hygiene or food intake are neglected, there is an urgent need for action. Here, a medical therapy can help to give surfing the net back the importance that allows a normal life.
Help and therapy options for those affected
Currently, there is no standardized therapy against Internet addiction, as this is still a fairly new phenomenon. Nevertheless, it is true – similar to almost all addiction diseases – that those affected must first of all realize and accept their addiction and become clear about the reasons for it. Only then can appropriate countermeasures be initiated with professional help. Behavioral therapy plays a decisive role here. Here, techniques are developed together with those affected, with the help of which they can learn an improved way of dealing with the Internet. Often, the first step is to restrict Internet use for a limited period of time. It can also be helpful to avoid certain sites that have a particularly high addiction potential for the person concerned. Another important part of therapy is to develop alternative leisure activities that leave as little room as possible for addictive behavior. This primarily includes hobbies, but also reactivating the old circle of friends or making new social contacts. In this respect, relatives or friends can also be an important factor that decides significantly on the success or failure of the therapy. It is therefore important for Internet addicts to always talk to their friends, family or counseling centers before relapsing. For this purpose, there are specialized therapeutic contact points that offer, for example, online counseling for addicts or their relatives. The fact that this form of counseling takes place on the Internet, of all places, has a plausible background: when looking for help, the Internet is usually the first port of call for Internet addicts in particular – this is their familiar environment and the inhibition threshold is lower, since they often no longer have any contact with the outside world.
Outlook and prognosis
Internet addiction is not considered a disease in its own right. Therefore, it cannot be diagnosed in this form. Nevertheless, conspicuous behavior of the affected person should not be underestimated and should be discussed with a doctor at an early stage. Since the course of the disease is gradual over a longer time window, the start of treatment often takes place very late. This has an impact on the prognosis. If the patient experiences pressure of suffering, he often shows insight and wishes for an improvement of his health condition. In these cases, the prospects for recovery are most favorable. In therapy, cognitive patterns can be worked on and changed. Improvement can occur over several weeks, months or years. There is no single prognostic outlook at this time. In addition, there is the possibility of relapse. Complete abstinence from Internet use is increasingly impossible due to work commitments. This affects the therapy and may have a negative effect. The patient needs disciplined and controlled behavior when surfing the Internet so that relief can occur.Since the frequent use of digital data exchange is expected to lead to an increase in the number of people affected, various therapeutic approaches are currently being tested with varying degrees of success. Currently, the application of individual treatment plans is occurring, with varying prognostic prospects.
Why we should be offline more often than online
All in all, the Internet is both a curse and a blessing. As many benefits as it offers users, the Net is also a potential threat to sustaining economic and social life. Those who only surf or gamble soon lose touch with their circle of friends and become increasingly isolated. It is therefore important to develop a healthy relationship with Internet use – and this can be very difficult, especially for people who have to deal with it professionally. It is therefore important to find the right balance for yourself, for example, to set fixed times and, in case of doubt, rather be off – instead of online.
Aftercare
Since multimedia and mobility with mobile devices define our age and are therefore present everywhere, aftercare around Internet addiction is particularly important. This can be done in conjunction with the treating psychologist or psychotherapist, but can also be done with the support of the family doctor. Self-help groups are ideal for sustainable aftercare. Discussions with like-minded people and experienced psychologists provide stability through the exchange with those affected and can significantly reduce the risk of relapse around Internet addiction in this way. Relatives and friends can also be involved in the aftercare by paying attention to the person affected and his or her leisure time behavior. Aftercare for Internet addiction does not mean that the affected person is forbidden to use the Internet. Surfing the Internet is allowed for private and professional reasons in most cases. The crucial thing is to deal with it consciously. This means that the person affected consciously scrutinizes his or her surfing behavior: Are the times spent on the Internet within normal limits? Is the Internet used out of purpose or boredom? Can the Internet be switched off at any time? These are questions that the psychologist could give the affected person to take into follow-up. Recreational behavior is an important factor in aftercare. It should be varied and motivating, and also pay attention to socializing with others outside the network.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Meanwhile, addiction to daily surfing on the Internet poses particular challenges for sufferers. This is because online access is available almost everywhere. For sufferers, the best and most useful self-help measure lies in distracting themselves as much as possible. It is useful to rebuild one’s life away from the Internet. Friendships should be especially encouraged. Hobbies are also very important. Sport can reduce stress hormones and makes it easier to break away from online addiction. It releases feelings of happiness that make the addiction and the break from it more bearable. In some cases, taking a vacation can also help, although ideally this will not involve boredom. Those who feel up to the challenge can set out on a smaller or larger adventure – without the support of a smartphone, of course. Furthermore, access to the Internet should be restricted as much as possible for at least a few months. The smartphone is replaced by a simple cell phone that only has telephony and SMS functions. If a computer is not needed for work or education, it should also be temporarily eliminated or at least disconnected from the Internet. Utilities still exist that automatically limit online time or total computer time. These must be set up and managed by a third party.
