Internet addiction appears to be on the rise and it not only impacts the person who is addicted to internet but also the addicts family. To help understand where internet addiction stems from and what type of impact internet addiction has on families, I have interviewed therapist Jessica Sawyer, LAMFT.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
“I am a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. I, along with my business partner, Miriam Itzkowitz, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, share a private psychotherapy practice called IS Counseling located in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our belief is that there are times when we all may experience stress, depression, anxiety, confusion, anger, fear or complacency. As therapists, our goal is to collaborate with our clients to establish goals and empower them to manage their lives more effectively and with peace of mind, using their existing potential to live a fulfilling and authentic life.”
Where does internet addiction stem from?
“It is important to note that if you or someone you know is suffering from what they believe to be internet addiction that they seek help professionally before attempting to self diagnose or treat. The concept of internet addiction is fairly new and therefore is not an “official diagnosis” in the DSM-IV.
Research suggests that symptoms of internet addiction are similar in nature to more general and ‘well-known’ addictions like substance (alcohol, drug) or activity (sex, gambling, food, shopping) addictions. Common channels for internet addiction include but are not limited to social networking, gaming, gambling, pornography, shopping, blogging and virtual worlds like Second Life.
Most people who become addicted to a substance or activity start out with good intentions; they truly enjoy the activity and get pleasure from the experience. In time, that satisfaction will progress into something more intense, there is a need or an urge and following that impulse seems to be the only solution to feeling ease or satisfaction. When the compulsive need to fulfill this urge takes over and begins to impair daily functioning negatively, it shifts from something that is enjoyed to an addiction.
Compulsive behaviors that might suggest there is an interference with daily functioning can include: use of the internet to escape problems, lying to others about the amount of internet use, loss of sleep due to time spent online, significant amount of time spent thinking about being online (when not online), ineffective attempts to cut back or stop use and withdrawal from other pleasurable activities (spending time with family/friends, hobbies, interests).
What type of impact does internet addiction have on families?
“Internet addiction can have a significant effect on families. Because increased internet use can provide an anonymous, less threatening outlet for a person to communicate and connect, time spent with family and friends becomes compromised. This can cause significant interpersonal impairment because the interest of creating interpersonal connections is satisfied through the internet, resulting in greater withdrawal from family and friends. This withdrawal might also compromise household functioning in that basic needs (self-care, eating, bathing, child-care, general responsibilities, helping around the home, homework, etc.) aren’t being met. Research suggests that addiction can negatively affect daily functioning on such a level that families are often secondarily affected, feeling a strain on the relationships and in household functioning.”
What type of help is available for families that are dealing with the issues of internet addiction?
“Families that are dealing with issues of internet addiction can find support in a variety of ways. Family therapy can be helpful as well as support groups. If you are unable to find a specific support group that specializes in internet addiction, any support group for families/friends of a person struggling with addiction can be helpful. There are many ways to find a therapist that specializes in family therapy and/or addiction; if you have insurance, you can check with your insurance provider for recommendations, otherwise www.psychologytoday.com or www.therapistlocator.net can be helpful websites in finding a qualified professional in your area.
It is possible that the person struggling with internet addiction may have a coexisting condition, such as self esteem issues that cause impairment in social functioning or a diagnosis, such as depression or ADHD. If you suspect that there may be a coexisting condition, it might be helpful to have a supportive and gently challenging conversation with the impaired person, highlighting what you see and encouraging them to seek professional help, offering assistance along the way.
Some books on internet addiction that can be helpful are ‘Caught in the Net: How to Recognize the Signs of Internet Addiction ‘” and a Winning Strategy for Recovery’ by Kimberly S Young, and ‘Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap’ by Kevin Roberts. Consequently, the internet has some helpful information; two websites that are worthy of checking into are www.netaddiction.com and www.internetoveruse.com.”
Thank you Jessica for doing the interview on the impact of internet addiction on families. For more information on Jessica Sawyer or her work you can check out her website on www.iscounseling.org.
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