MODELS OF IAD
Clinical research on behavioral addictions has focused on
compulsive gambling (8), overeating (11), and compulsive sexual
behavior (12). Similar addiction models have been applied to
technological overuse (24), computer dependency (25) and
obsessive video game playing. These theories include
psychodynamic and personality explanations, socio-cultural
explanations, behavioral explanations, and biomedical
explanations (26). Not all explain any addiction perfectly and
some are better than others at explaining Internet addiction.
Diathesis-stress model
A dispositional model or diathesis-stress model of addiction
might help in understanding IAD. Certain people, due to a
variety of factors, may be predisposed (diathesis) to developing
an addiction to something, be it alcohol, heroin, gambling, sex,
shopping, or on-line computer services. If the right stressor,
or combination of stressors, affects the person at a critical
time, the person may be more inclined to develop an addiction.
Behavioral explanations
These explanations are based on B.F. Skinner's studies on
operant conditioning (27). The person performs a behavior and
gets either rewarded or punished for the behavior. Behaviour
that is rewarded is reinforced and the person intends to indulge
in that behaviour more frequently. This again becomes
reinforcing, and the cycle continues.
Biomedical explanations
According to this perspective, this would make someone
susceptible to addiction (27). There is definitive research that
shows that some drugs act to fill in the synaptic gaps of the
neurons in the brain, fooling the brain into sending out faulty
information. This, it is thought, is one reason for the "high?
one gets from engaging in activities such as running, drug use,
and gambling. This might apply to Internet addiction, since many
opportunities on the Internet are fun and exciting.
What To Do If Addicted To The 'Net?
Dealing with Internet Addiction is no different than dealing
with any other type of addiction. All people who are addicted
(to anything) have some degree of denial. Without denial, most
addictions would not have become established in the first place.
First, acknowledge the problem instead of denying when pointed
by others around you or yourself. Don?t panic if established.
Second, just because there is a debate about the validity of
this diagnostic category amongst professionals doesn't mean
there isn't help for it. Don?t hesitate to ask for help.
Addiction should never be viewed as a problem in and of itself.
Addictions are much better viewed as a symptom of other
underlying problems and deficiencies. One must look beyond the
addiction itself and deal with underlying deficiencies in coping
and life management skills that have given rise to it. If you
have a life problem, or are grappling with a disorder such as
depression, seek professional treatment for it. Once you admit
and address the problem, other pieces of your life will fall
back into place. Psychologists have studied compulsive behaviors
and their treatments for years now, and nearly any well-trained
mental health professional will be able to help you learn to
slowly curve the time spent online, and address the problems or
concerns in your life that may have contributed to your online
overuse, or were caused by it.
It's not the technology that is important or addicting -- it's
the behavior. And behaviors are easily treatable by traditional
cognitive-behavior techniques in psychotherapy (28).
Once you take on the challenge of dealing with any addiction,
you will need to marshal your ability to successfully deal with
temptation. If you don?t have a sense that you have this power
to succeed, you can use your addiction as an opportunity to
discover that you really do have this important capability.
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About the author:
Ms. Aditi Singh, M.A. (Psychology), M. Phil. (Medical & Social
Psychology) is a Ph. D. Scholar at Central Institute of
Psychiatry, Ranchi, India. She is an editor of www.mind.in and a contributor to
www.psyplexus.com .
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