To best assess the Internet in clinical settings, the Internet Addiction Impairment Index (see below) was devised to measure the level of psychosocial impairment related to net abuse in terms of mild, moderate, and severe:
Normal range: 0 - 30 points
Mild: 31 -49 points
Moderate: 50 - 79 points
Severe: 80 - 100 points
This test can be used as a self-report for the client or a clinical measure administered by the therapist.
Treatment includes a variety of inventions with a primary focus on cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy techniques to moderate Internet usage and to address underlying psychosocial issues often co-existent with this addiction (e.g., social phobia, mood disorders, marital dissatisfaction, job burnout, childhood sexual abuse). Therapy should utilize time management techniques that help the client structure and regulate internet sessions and strategies that help clients,Äô develop alternative activities that take them away from the computer should be reviewed (e.g., more time with family, engage in hobbies, or exercise programs).
Internet addicts typically suffer interpersonal difficulties such as introversion or have limited social support systems in place, which is in part, why they turn to virtual relationships as a substitute for the lack of real life social connection. In other cases, due to their addiction, they have lost significant real life relationships such as a spouse, a parent, or a close friend. Interpersonal Therapy is a brief form of treatment that focuses on education use to improve interpersonal functioning. Specific interventions include encouragement of affect, communication analysis, modeling, and role-playing to establish new ways of interacting that address role transitions and interpersonal deficits. The use of twelve-step groups should also be applied to assist clients in finding adequate support and sponsorship that enable recovery. Finally, couples counselling may be an essential part of recovery among Internet-addicted clients whose marital and familial relationships have been disrupted and negatively influenced by Internet addiction.
References
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (4th ed.) Washington, DC:
Griffiths, M. (1997). Does Internet and computer addiction exist? Some case study evidence. Paper presented at the 105th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, August 15, 1997. Chicago, IL.
Morahan-Martin, J. (1997). Incidence and correlates of pathological Internet use. Paper presented at the 105th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, August 18, 1997. Chicago, IL.
Scherer, K. (1997). College life online: Healthy and unhealthy Internet use. Paper presented at the 104th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, August 18, 1997. Chicago, IL.
Young, K.S. & Rogers, R. (1997a). The relationship between depression and Internet addiction. CyberPsychology and Behavior, 1, 25-28.
Young, K. S. (1997b). What makes on-line usage stimulating? Potential explanations for pathological Internet use. Paper presented at the 105th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, August 15, 1997. Chicago, IL.
Young, K. S. (1998a) Internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. CyberPsychology and Behavior, 1(3), 237-244.
Young, K. S. (1998b). Caught in the Net: How to recognize the signs of Internet addiction and a winning strategy for recovery. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dr. Kimberly Young is a clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the Center for On-Line Addiction, the first behavioral healthcare firm specializing in Internet-related conditions (http://netaddiction.com) founded in 1995. Dr. Young has served as an expert witness regarding her work, and recently authored Caught in the Net, the first book on Internet Addiction Recovery, now translated into four languages. She conducts continuing edfucation workshops on the treatment of cyber-related disorders and the development of comprehensive web-based treatment programs among healthcare organizations.
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