Treatment for Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is a psychological disorder that occurs when a person spends long periods of time online, distancing themselves from real-life activities, and living in a virtual world. Here, we'll discuss its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods.
What is Internet Addiction?
The internet has changed the way we live our lives more than any other technological medium to date. Internet addiction is classified as a behavioral addiction, similar to addiction to any other harmful behavior, such as watching pornography, for example. Currently, many people spend a significant amount of time online, as it provides everything one desires with ease.
For internet addicts, the situation shifts from using the internet for necessities for a few hours a day to excessive use. This can be attributed to various reasons, and behavioral addiction should be treated early before it becomes a major problem, leading to numerous consequences that greatly affect mental and social well-being.
Causes of Internet Addiction
- Feeling bored and having a lot of free time.
- Constant feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
- The features provided by the internet, making it easy for individuals to find everything they desire.
- Feelings of anxiety, depression, and the desire to escape from reality.
- Genetic factors.
- Other environmental factors.
Many experts believe that internet addicts do not have enough dopamine receptors or fail to achieve the proper balance between serotonin and dopamine, both of which are neurotransmitters that play a significant role in the brain.
Treatment for Internet Addiction
People addicted to the internet can recover through proper care and intensive psychological assistance to rescue them from this behavioral addiction. The treatment may include:
- Seeking help from support groups of friends and people around them, and working to reduce social isolation or alienation.
- Treatment in facilities that provide services for those addicted to the internet.
- The same plans and methods for care available at drug addiction treatment centers are also available for behavioral addiction treatment.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help individuals reduce their internet usage and maintain that change.
- Behavioral therapy is crucial for overcoming this addiction. It also helps individuals to think and focus on other important matters.
- Engaging in activities that increase mental and cognitive abilities during the treatment period for internet addiction.
