Wednesday, November 19, 2014


Epidemic of Internet Addiction - Treatment is closer than you think!

          What does our future hold regarding treatment for Internet addiction?  With the increasing concerns of a growing epidemic of Internet Addiction, we will have a great need for treatment center.
How do you know if you are addicted?

 Here are some signs:

* Neglecting your family and friends.
* Find yourself spending more and more time on the internet
* Not interested in your normal activities
* Feelings of anxiety and/or depression if you cannot access the internet
* Hiding to engage in the internet

I would like to introduce Kimberly Young, PhD.   She is a world expert on Internet Addiction disorder and a Professor of Management Scientists at St. Bonaventure University in NY.  Her passion to help people on the extreme spectrum of internet addiction became apparent when her good friend's marriage dissolved due to her husband spending 50hrs week on the internet. She knew she had to do something.


In 1995, she founded the Center for Internet Addiction, and as the World Wide Web became more ubiquitous, her phone started to ring. "I received calls every week asking if I knew of a clinic or hospital to treat this condition, but there weren't any in the U.S.," Young told Fast Company. Hullinger, J. 2013.  

There are many "Digital Detox" centers across the U.S. however, they do not have a hospital setting, nor do the diagnose the underlying problem and prescribe medication.  This is where Young's treatment centers differ and also, to be admitted you must have severe internet addiction.  Everyone has different needs.   Young's approach and research methods begins with cognitive behavior therapy treatment plan for internet addicts as well as focus on the individuals needs.  Therapy sessions are imperative so the patients understand what their addictions stem from and how to cope with it.  After 10 days of treatment, patients are re-introduced to their digital devices and hopefully have the discipline and the desire to limit their time on the internet.

Young's research and treatment facility, The Bradford Regional Medical Program in PA,  has been acknowledged by NBC's Today Show and many other networks as well.

Here is the clip on The Today Show:

how  -



References:

Net Addiction "The Center for Internet Addiction..."your source since 1995"
www.netaddiction.com/Kimberly-Young/

Now there’s a hospital - based treatment facility for Internet Addicts by Jessica Hullinger
retrieved from: http://www.fastcompany.com/3016082/now-theres-a-hospital-based-treatment-facility-for-internet-addicts





8 Comments:

At November 21, 2014 at 3:16 PM , Blogger Nathan Archer said...

Woah, I'm happy internet addiction is being treated seriously. I didn't think it would seriously be acknowledged as a problem, ESPECIALLY as early as 1995 when the internet had only been around for such a short time. I'd think it's definitely a problem that's going to get worse and worse over time the more we become dependent on technology for communication and information.

 
At November 22, 2014 at 1:11 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Cressy,
Your post does a really great job in explaining Dr. Young’s knowledge and expertise in internet addiction. It’s unbelievable how internet addiction can cause the same damage as drug addiction. The internet is such a vast and imaginable place that it is hard to disconnect from. I find myself stuck on websites for more hours than I like to admit. It’s a place that people can utilize and get stuck in very quickly, especially since many aspects of our life involve it. It’s great that Dr. Young has been able to establish great resources for those who are curious about it and for those who would like to seek help. Great post!

 
At November 22, 2014 at 6:58 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Hey Cressy, I see these signs in some of my relatives and my friends and when I read these signs to them they denied it…but it’s very clear they are addicted. So even now, are there still no hospital setting places to go for those who might be addicted? I was also wondering how can medications help someone want to use the internet less? How effective is their plan to help those with internet addictions? I really liked how you put a video at the end, I love watching the today show!

 
At November 23, 2014 at 9:39 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Cressy, I will start by saying this is a great article in which EVERYONE should read because it is crazy today to go out and see how many people have phones and tablets and are on the internet. Our world is quickly, turning impersonal, with all these automated companies when you call on the phone, to all the social media and interactions that occur online. Nobody knows the good of a real phone call to set up a face to face meeting. I will be the first to say I hate talking on the phone and I think it is due in part to the generation I’ve grown up in. Texting is all the rage and many of the older generation absolutely despise it. I have never previously heard of Kimberly Young, but she picked a great field to study with all the physical examples she has today. Great addition of video at the end. Well done, I enjoyed the read.

 
At November 23, 2014 at 6:34 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Cressy,

Yes Internet addiction is a serious problem in the world. I can see myself having maybe a few symptoms without even realizing it. This is something that people should take seriously and I'm glad. Dr. Young has started to move in the right direction for treatment. At first glance people may look at this and think how crazy it is but the truth is that it is a real problem and people do actually need help to cope with this. The more new technology is created the further down the rabbit hole people will go. Great blog post !

 
At November 23, 2014 at 9:25 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Cressy, thank you for sharing such informative articles! I always learn something new by reading your blogs. I am so glad Dr. Young has taken a step towards internet addiction. Internet addicts do not realize how serious their problem is, but they definitely need to get out of their addiction. Also it was very surprising for me to know that internet addiction issue stems back to 1995! I think internet was not so much common in that time, but still it was surprising to know that even at that time their were internet addicts.
I hope more research is done to find out solutions and treatments for internet addicts, because if we don't stop now then this problem will keep on growing more and more with time.

 
At November 25, 2014 at 7:59 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Suria,

I wanted to answer some of your questions on your comment above. There is currently the Bradford Regional Medical Program in PA as a hospital based treatment center. As for the medication, they use that if the patient has underlying psychological issues that were never dealt with and in turn immerse themselves in the internet as an escape of sorts. Having addiction problems are usually deep rooted and as a result they end up with addictive personalities. So, by treating the underlying root problem with meds and slowly re-introducing the digital technology - hopefully helps the situation. We shall see! Thank you for you comments everyone!

 
At November 28, 2014 at 11:07 AM , Blogger Patriot for Public and Environmental Health- Zuhdiah Sarhan said...

Now that I know of her I sure am happy there is someone working on the issue of internet like Dr. Kimberly Young. I have been hearing more and more about this addiction and am not surprised. I know in some countries like Japan and the U.S. the addiction is the highest. It's no surprise with the integration of the internet into almost all aspects of our daily lives would lead some people to addiction, especially with all the new applications offered. I had no idea there were treatment centers called "Digital Detox" centers across the U.S. The fact that they "do not have a hospital setting, nor do they diagnose the underlying problem and prescribe medication" is a serious lack in treatment. I am so glad that Dr. Young is taking the lead to treat such a relevant illness.

 

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