Anything can
become addictive; food, gambling, exercise, sex, spending, internet, video/computer
games (for example; World of Warcraft®, Call of Duty®, and Everquest®). Whatever
form of escapism, if the activity regulates mood and relieves emotional
pressures and needs to be re-enacted time and time again – then the behavior
has become addictive. Addiction and its behaviors become a routine way of
coping, as in the cycle of addiction. Once a behavior has become addictive the
pattern or cycle is predictable.
Understanding the Cycle of Addiction
1) Stressor - such as unrealistic expectations from others or
ourselves, fear of rejection/failure, life pressures, etc. Anything that triggers
us to feeling vulnerable and weakening our reserve.
2) Acting out - internet activity of any kind that segregates us from
the outside world (family, work, school, responsibilities) and has escalated to
more and more time away from others and our responsibilities.
3) Guilt & Remorse – this always occurs, promising ourselves or
others that we will never “do it” again. Momentarily recognizing the damage.
The questions of why begin to take over.
4) Shame & Depression – along with recognition, a deep sense of
shame and depression.
5) Recommitment – promise to limit time on internet, spend more time
with family, recommitment to ourselves and others.
6) Performance – we may be able to keep the commitment and promises,
but only until the cycle starts up at the next stressor, which activates the
entire cycle, ultimately repeating addictive cycle over and over.
Learning
how the addiction cycle works, and how to replace the self-medicating addictive
behavior with healthy coping skills are among the treatment protocol.
In the Phoenix area or for more resource links, feel free
to contact us at http://www.MyCounselingSolutions.com, or
via email CherylWheeler@MyCounselingSolutions.com.
Internet
Addiction Test
The Internet Addiction Test is the first validated
and reliable measure of addictive use of the Internet. Developed by Dr.
Kimberly Young, the IAT is a 20-item questionnaire that measures mild,
moderate, and severe levels of Internet Addiction.
To
assess your level of addiction, answer the following questions using this scale
(add your score as you go):
1 = Rarely.
2 = Occasionally.
3 = Frequently.
4 = Often.
5 = Always.
2 = Occasionally.
3 = Frequently.
4 = Often.
5 = Always.
1.
How often do you
find that you stay on-line longer than you intended?
2.
How often do you
neglect household chores to spend more time on-line?
3.
How often do you
prefer the excitement of the Internet to intimacy with your partner?
4.
How often do you
form new relationships with fellow on-line users?
5.
How often do others
in your life complain to you about the amount of time you spend on-line?
6.
How often do your
grades or school work suffers because of the amount of time you spend on-line?
7.
How often do you
check your e-mail before something else that you need to do?
8.
How often does your
job performance or productivity suffer because of the Internet?
9.
How often do you
become defensive or secretive when anyone asks you what you do on-line?
10. How often
do you find yourself anticipating when you will go on-line again?
11. How often
do you fear that life without the Internet would be boring, empty, and joyless?
12. How often
do you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone bothers you while you are on-line?
13. How often
do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins?
14. How often
do you feel preoccupied with the Internet when off-line, or fantasize about
being on-line?
15. How often
do you feel preoccupied with the Internet when off-line, or fantasize about
being on-line?
16. How often
do you find yourself saying "just a few more minutes" when on-line?
17. How often
do you try to cut down the amount of time you spend on-line and fail?
18. How often
do you try to hide how long you've been on-line?
19. How often
do you choose to spend more time on-line over going out with others?
20. How often
do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are off-line, which goes away
once you are back on-line?
20 - 49 points: You are
an average on-line user. You may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you
have control over your usage.
50 -79 points: You are
experiencing occasional or frequent problems because of the Internet. You
should consider their full impact on your life.
80 - 100 points: Your
Internet usage is causing significant problems in your life. You should
evaluate the impact of the Internet on your life and address the problems
directly caused by your Internet usage.
Find
a therapist in your area through such sights as Psychology Today at http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/.
In the Phoenix area or for more resource
links, feel free to contact us at https://www.MyCounselingSolutions.com, or
via email CherylWheeler@MyCounselingSolutions.com.
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