Given the use of the Internet is legitimate in business and home practice such as in electronic correspondence to venders or electronic banking, it is hence considered by those individual practitioners who have seen Internet addicted patients that traditional abstinence models are not practical interventions when they prescribe banned Internet use. The focus of treatment should consist of moderation and controlled use. In accordance with the advices given by the practitioners, I would advise Roger Ridgway to have a go on the following techniques to treat his Internet addiction:
(a) practice the opposite time in Internet use
The goal of this exercise is to have Roger disrupt his normal routine and re-adapt new time patterns of use in an effort to break the on-line habit. For example, let's say Roger's Internet habit involves checking E-mail the first thing in the morning. Suggest that Roger take a shower or start breakfast first instead of logging on.
(b) use external stoppers
Use concrete things that Roger needs to do or places to go as prompters to help log off. If Roger has to leave for work at 7:30 am, have him log in at 6:30, leaving exactly one hour before its time to quit. To play safe in preventing him from ignoring such natural alarms, a real alarm clock or egg timer may help.
(c) set goals
Structured Internet sessions should be programmed for Roger by setting reasonable goals, perhaps 20 hours instead of a current 40. Then, schedule those 20 hours in specific time slots and write them onto a calendar or weekly planner. Incorporating a tangible schedule of Internet usage will give Roger a sense of being in control, rather than allowing the Internet to take control.
(d) abstain from a particular application
If a specific application which may trigger off Internet addition has been identified and moderation of it has failed, then abstinence from that application is the next appropriate intervention. Although Roger must stop all activity surrounding that application, this does not mean that Roger cannot engage in other applications which he finds to be less appealing or those with a legitimate use.
(e) use reminder cards
To help Roger stay focused on the goal of either reduced use or abstinence from a particular application, Roger may make a list of five major problems caused by Internet addition and five major benefits for cutting down Internet use or abstaining from a particular application and have the lists transfer onto a 3x5 index card. Remind Roger to take the index card out several times a week to reflect on the problems and to increase Roger's motivation at moments of decision compelling on-line use.
(f) develop a personal inventory
In order to help himself cultivate an alternative activity, Roger should take a personal inventory of what he has cut down on, or cut out, because of the time spent on the Internet. Ask Roger how these activities improved the quality of his life. This exercise will help Roger become more aware of the choices he has made regarding the Internet and rekindle lost activities once enjoyed.
(g) enter a support group
Support groups tailored to Roger's particular life situation will enhance his ability to make friends who are in a similar situation and decrease his dependence upon on-line cohorts.
(h) family therapy
Family therapy may be necessary for Roger if his marriage and family relationship have been disrupted and negatively influenced by Internet addition. A strong sense of family support may enable him to recover from Internet addition.
I surely don't think that Net addition is exaggerated as we do really live in an age of addition. Previously, people believed the term “addiction” should be applied only to cases involving the ingestion of a drug. Nowadays, defining addition has moved beyond this to include a number of behaviors which do not involve an intoxicant such as compulsive gambling, video game playing, overeating, exercise, sunbathing, love relationships and television-viewing.
Frankly speaking, I use computer regularly at office as well as at home. Apart from using it as word and data processors, I depend on the computer for a wide range of practical applications such as the ability to access the World Wide Web for keeping in touch with friends and relatives all over the world via email, acquiring useful information, conducting research, attending this Netlanguages course, performing business transactions, accessing international libraries, or making vacation plans. Against this backdrop, I would say I could not live without it.