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Addiction
In (Freeman, 92) is an article about addictive behaviours:
Addiction is defined by Bratter and Forest (1985) as a behaviour pattern
of compulsive drug use characterised by overwhelming involvement ... with
the use of a drug and the securing of the supply, as well as a tendency
to relapse after completion of withdrawal". The authors state that
the difference between use and addiction is quantitative rather than qualitative.
Addiction is not determined in terms by quantity alone, but more over, is
additionally determined in terms of the effect on the individual in his
or her social context.
The main difference between abuse or problem use
and addiction is in the context of the life situation:
Abuse or problem use: the
person "must use", there is an increasing involvement in a compulsive
manner; uncontrollable consequences occur but abuse continues nevertheless.
Addiction: the
person "must no stop using"; overwhelming involvement with a substance
or a behaviour is carried compulsively into the person's daily life. Day
to day patterns or routines of living are disrupted with use, with securing
a supply and with a strong tendency to relapse after completion of withdrawal.
There is no general model for addiction. There are
three different models for addiction described. The disease model focuses
on addiction as illness, the adaptive model looks at is as a way of coping
and the way-of-life model emphasises life-styles or roles.
Common signs of addiction include (in the following
abbreviated as CSA):
1. preoccupation with a substance, relationship
or behaviour
2. a loss of control over the use of a substance
or a pattern of behaviour
3. concerns expressed by others about the
loss of control and the effects
4. continued, persistent use of a substance
or involvement behaviour in spite of negative consequences.
Since Internet Addiction is often compared to compulsive
gambling the criteria of compulsive gambling similar with other addictions
are listed to:
Compulsive gambling (Freeman, 92, (p212-224)): Similarities
with other addictions include (in the following abbreviated as CSG):
1. preoccupation with the abusing behaviour,
2. abusing larger amounts over longer periods
of time than intended,
3. the need to increase the behaviour to achieve
the desired effect,
4. repeated efforts to cut down or stop the
behaviour,
5. social or occupational activity given up
for the behaviour, and
6. continuation of the behaviour despite social,
occupational or legal problems.
Literature:
Edit M. Freeman (1992), The Addiction Process: Effective
Social Work Approaches, Longman New York.