In reality, there are many factors that precipitate an addiction. These factors are the ones responsible in instilling in the minds of the people the conduciveness they get whenever they use a certain behavior or concept.
However, the very core of addiction is that it should cause harm to the concerned person. This is because if the behavior does not cause any harm, then, the behavior can only be considered compulsive but cannot be classified as addiction.
With the advent of the Internet, a new kind of addiction had been created by people who continuously advocate the viability of the Internet. This is known as Internet addiction.
Historically speaking, Internet addiction was first depicted by Ivan Goldberg, a medical doctor from Columbia University. Goldberg had initially differentiated Internet addiction from other forms of addiction by asserting that this kind of addiction is a ?maladaptive? outline of Internet usage, which, in turn, leads to clinically major harm or misery.
Just like the other people who are addicted into something, Internet addicts are notably preoccupied to the "triggering" factor that stimulates them to do repeatedly the compulsive behavior. They always find a way and a reason to justify their need to use the computer and go online.
Moreover, Internet addicts contend that their resistance is so weak that they are unable to gain control on their Internet usage. When the time comes that somebody will do the curbing for them, these Internet addicts would suddenly feel irritated if somebody is trying to stop them from using the Internet.
As the manifestations worsen, they begin to lie about things and hide from their friends and family the truth behind their Internet usage. Their behavior exacerbate as they put their lives, significant relationship, education, and job in danger.
Best of all, these people are using too much of the Internet. They go beyond the normal utilization of the Internet. With Internet addicts, it is as if they can stand the whole day sitting, browsing, and chatting all day long.
The reason behind all these nuisances is based on the fact that the Internet is such a pragmatic and feasible tool. What they see is a new medium that gives them more than what they have asked for. Its graphics are so innovatively nice and fascinating, with every whoosh and flash of light and colors in front of their eyes are pure excitement and awe.
The problem now lies on the fact that these people are no longer capable of doing their everyday duties and responsibilities. They have lost their contact from the outside world and shun their life out from the reality. They relied so much on the virtual phenomenon that they are addicted from.
Another problem with this behavioral addiction is based on the fact that this kind of malady is simply not a matter of having an alternative. This is because Internet addicts are left with no choices at all and they simply cannot come to a decision with regards to their addiction.
So, for those who are not yet aware if they are addicted to the Internet or not, here is a list of some signs that would tell you if you are an Internet addict.
1. You are an Internet addict if, after so many trials, you simply cannot stop using the behavior.
Internet addicts may contend that they have tried everything just to curb their "deep fascination" with the Internet.
What happens next is that they simply cannot get things going.
2. You are an Internet addict if you have the tendency to forget your responsibilities at school, in the office, or even at your home.
You start to wander off and neglect to do your respective responsibilities on the three most important places in your life.
3. You are an Internet addict if you disregard danger and risk just so you can continue to enjoy using the Internet.
4. You are an Internet addict if you always find it reasonable enough to let you stay in the Internet for hours.
All of these things are boiled down to the fact that Internet addiction is not just any trend or fad that will normally fade or will be gone in time.
There is something that needs to be done now and curb the growing compulsion to go back and try the behavior again. What you need is a strong support that would entice you to go on, has fun in life, but do not be constrained on the wonders of the Internet.
Last night I watched a TV show called ?Addicted to the Internet?. There was a bloke on the show who apparently never went out of his home and just spent all of his time in front of his computers. They challenged him, as part of the show, to go for 72 hours without using his computers. It was a real ordeal for him and he made a video diary of the process. He was obviously being tortured and was in an almost docile state of mind ? he was bored out of his brains.
To relieve the boredom he decided to go to his local swimming pool. Despite having lived in his home for 23 years he had to look up a map in order to get there. Using the Internet to find the map, he failed to complete the challenge.
Once out of the house and walking I am sorry to say that even putting one foot in front of the other didn't seem like a natural process for him. In a social environment he looked like a fish out of water. In fact it reminds me of my university days when most of the computer geeks that I saw on a daily basis looked just like this chap. I don't have anything against people who live most of their lives in cyberspace, but I think they should know the disadvantages of this imbalanced lifestyle.
The show then went on to arrange a meeting between the ?addict? and a professional addiction counsellor. The upshot of the conversation was that the councillor said that there was no doubt in his mind that he was looking at an addict. The accused defended himself by saying, ?Could I stop? Yes. Would I want to? I can't see the point.? This is an interesting viewpoint and I suppose that all addicts would say the same thing: ?Could I stop smoking? Yes. Would I want to? Why stop smoking if I enjoy it??
After the show had finished I watched a football match between Liverpool and Toulouse. I started to ask myself whether the professional footballers were also addicts by this definition. If you asked them to stop playing football and then they would probably say ?I could, but why stop doing something that I enjoy?? I guess the differentiating point is whether the habit is generally harming the individual.
I'm only guessing, but I'd imagine that football probably has a detrimental affect on family life. With all that training and match play to be done, their family would not see them as much compared to a normal 9-to-5 job. But when you are being paid ?80,000 a week, who is going to complain about an addiction like that? They put themselves at high risk, not just from injuries but also from not being good enough to make the big time. Who knows how many countless thousands of wannabe players dedicate their lives to football only to find out that they can't make the grade? In addition, sport is such an ingrained part of our culture; popular heroes are often footballers. Perhaps that is the real reason why football it is not considered an addiction, but the Internet is.
Zach Hope has sinced written about articles on various topics from computers and the internet, Iphone Reviews and web development. Zach Hope is the author of Speed-Up-Windows-XP.com, a site that can teach anybody to to invigorate old computers.. Zach Hope's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.