One of the most recent addictions has been individuals obsessed with being online.

Individuals who surf the web to pay bills, research and shop are often not classified as addicted to the internet, rather it is those individuals who have an urge to constantly be online. Internet addicts feel withdrawal symptoms if offline for significant periods of time and seek longer periods of Internet usage to feel satisfied. Individuals who suffer from Internet addiction are more likely to develop depression or psychiatric problems. According to WebMD “Internet users compulsively have to go online and have more social interactions in virtual worlds than the real one and may be depressed.”

Internet addicts can suffer from losing social relationships, social isolation; and their job or school performance may deteriorate from it. Many Internet addicts seek chat rooms and other online social tools to fulfill their social need. Internet addicts will lose track of the amount of time that they have been online and may even forgo basic needs while being on the Internet. People who suffer from Internet addiction feel irritable, depressed and angry when they are not online.

Symptoms of an Internet Addiction include:

• Lying to others about how much time they spend online.
• Using the Internet as a way to escape from problems.
• Thinking about the Internet when not online and thinking about what they will be doing next time they are online.
• Staying up late at night online.
• Staying online for longer and longer periods at a time.
• Withdrawal symptoms when not online.

Internet addiction should be treated just like any other addiction. If you or a loved one is suffering from Internet addiction, contact Solace Counseling. We can create a customized treatment plan to suit the specific needs of the patient. We also offer family counseling. This can be a great tool to help loved ones understand what the person suffering from Internet addiction is going through.