Is
Internet Addiction real? That is the question I am often asked. Of course it
is, I reply, but I can see how many people still question if we can truly
become addicted to technology.
It
is not technology itself that causes the problem but it is in how we have come
to use technology in our lives. Look around any airport, school yard, or mall -
everyone is staring at their screens. We
have become socially removed. What is the impact of this technology when it
does become excessive or compulsive?
In
my 20 years of researching Internet Addiction, I have become the world’s
leading expert. I say this because it is humbling and not in any arrogant way.
I see how my research and academic studies have been applied by researchers all
over the globe. I have consulted with hundreds of clinics about Internet
addiction recovery and given many workshops to therapists. I say with that
authority, Internet addiction is a real problem.
We
debate this in America while other countries such as China and Korea have
established treatment centers to deal with the problem for years. We lag behind
other countries who have established clinics and university-wide studies in an
effort to combat a distressing new problem in our culture.
Internet
Addiction is real. Treatment is often necessary. It does not stand alone, most
often those who suffer from Internet addiction also suffer from other clinical
problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or social anxiety or
phobia.
In
September of 2013, I opened the nation’s first inpatient treatment center at
the Bradford Regional Medical Center in Bradford, Pa. It is part of Behavioral
Health Services Dual Diagnosis Program and we have received calls from all over
the world. It says to me how widespread the problem is and how many people are
hiding their addiction to technology.
Based
on the calls alone, it seems people have such a serious problem with their
online use that they have struggled for years in outpatient counseling being
seen by therapists who either dismissed the behavior as normal or weren’t sure
how to address.
Inpatient
counseling is intended for the serious cases of Internet addiction. Treatment
focuses on daily individual therapy and 72-hour medically-supervised digital
detox is required.
“Do
I believe that inpatient care is necessary for Internet addiction?” “Yes,” I
exclaim. “Inpatient care is necessary!”
Addiction
is addiction. Americans have lagged behind other countries in treating people
who may suffer from this problem. We are BRMC are proud to be the first inpatient
program in the U.S. to offer such help. While the DSM-5 has only just included
Internet Gaming Addiction in Section 3 for conditions that need further
research in this last revision, my prediction is that in the years to come,
more research will happen, and future DSM revisions will then include Internet
Addiction as real condition.
