A presentation I gave for my Assessment and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders class at Argosy University, Seattle.

1. Internet Addiction Is it surfing the web or drowning in the web? By: Anna DiNoto

3. Not in DSM-IV-TR

4. Will it be for DSM-IV-V?

5. Rumors, but no sufficient data suggesting it will be

6. “In attempts to scientifically study Internet addiction, some researchers have chosen to define the new concept according to the definition of substance use disorder, while others have reasoned that pathological gambling is a more suitable reference (Kaltiala-Heino, Lintonen & Rimpela, 2004).”

7. “Is a broad term that covers a wide variety of behaviors and impulse control problems (Young, 1999).”

8. Includes five categoriesCybersexual addiction Cyber-relationship addiction Net compulsions Information overload Computer addiction

9. Prevalence rates (in other countries) South Korea (Block, 2008) Most serious public health issue (in South Korea) 10 reported deaths (due to cardio-pulmonary reasons) Several Internet game-related murders 1.2 million school age children (6-19 yrs) Believed to be at-risk and need basic therapy As of 2007 1,043 counselors have been trained in treating and assessing Internet addiction 190 hospital and treatment centers created Preventative measures in schools China (Block, 2008) Estimated 10 million children addicted In 2007, China restricted computer game use Current laws prohibit more than 3 hours of daily game use

10. Prevalent rates (in America) Accessed from home, hard to operationally measure (Block, 2008) Some are ashamed, in denial or minimize his or her use Telephone survey conducted on adults (Aboujaoude, Koran, Gamel, Large, & Serpe, 2006) 2,513 adults 14% of respondents found it hard to abstain from Internet use for several days 5.9% said excessive Internet use affected their relationships 8.2% said the Internet was a means of escape from the real world 3.7% felt preoccupied by the Internet when offline

11. Prevalence contd. (in America) Prevalence estimates vary widely, although a recent random telephone survey of the general US population reported an estimate of 0.3-0.7% (Shaw & Black, 2008). Onset reportedly occurring in early 20s, and earlier Surveys show that over 60% of American households have at least one PC (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). Nearly 55% of households are connected to the Internet.

12. Possible causes Triple A Engine (Cooper, 1998) Accessibility Affordability Anonymity The ACE Model (Young, 1996) Anonymity Convenience Escape

13. Risks & problems associated with Internet addiction Frustration intolerance/Emotional dysregulation (Ko, Yen, Yen, Chen & Wang, 2007) Male adolescents with Internet addiction had higher intolerance to frustration of entitlement and emotional discomfort. Female adolescents with it had higher intolerance to emotional discomfort and lower tolerance to frustration of achievement. Diagnoses, problems & comorbidity Depression & Social Introversion (Widyanto & Griffiths, 2006) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Yoo et al., 2004) Social Phobia & depression (Yen, Ko, Yen, Wu, & Yang, 2007) Sex addiction, i.e., cybersexual addiction/cyber affairs (Young et. Al., 2000) Gambling (Potera, 1998) Compulsive buying (Raab & Neuner, 2006) Illegal activity (Hall & Parsons, 2001)

14. Assessment (Cash & Parker, 2007) Internet/Computer Addiction Services Signs & symptoms of gaming addiction http://www.icaservices.com/index.htm Founded in 1999 Redmond, WA. Hilarie Cash, PhD and Jay Parker, CDP

15. Treatment (Cash & Parker, 2007) The 12 Step Model (used in the No More Secrets Program for sex and love addicts) Alcoholics Anonymous Qualifications: Desire to stop living out a pattern of addiction Required to attend 12-step meetings Participation in individual and group therapy To counter addiction, the focus is put on three major resources: The willingness to stop acting out in our own, personal bottom-line (i.e. addictive) behavior on a daily basis. Practicing the 12-Step program of recovery to achieve sobriety. Developing a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves which can guide us and sustain us in recovery. The Harm-Reduction Model (used in the Gaming and Internet Treatment Program for video game addicts) The treatment is tailored to the gamer and the situation. Individual, group, family, and couple's counseling are used as needed.

16. Questions