Warning signs and symptoms

by | For Everyone

Warning signs and symptoms of a technology related process addiction

PREOCCUPATION OR COMPULSION:  a strong desire or impulse to use the Internet or play video games. A great deal of time is spent on activities to maintain the ability to get online or interact with technology.

  • Bill’s parents set restrictions on the amount of time he is allowed to use the computer. Bill secretly changes the parental control program so that he can get online.
  • Cassandra listens for the sound of her parent’s footsteps coming up the stairs so that she can minimize her computer screen and pretend as if she is doing her homework. 

WITHDRAWAL: decreasing or stopping of the Internet or video game play leads to withdrawal symptoms (e.g., general malaise, restlessness, irritability, lack of concentration, dyssomnia, and depressive symptoms).

  • When Sally stops gaming, she gets irritable and angry with those around her.
  • When limits are placed on the amount of time Joe is allowed online, he sleeps longer than usual and is resistant to participating in the activities of daily living.

USE TO AVOID WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: symptoms of withdrawal may be relieved by engaging with similar electronic media devices (e.g., TV, handheld games, gaming devices).

  • Upon arriving home from school or work, the first thing Becky does is get online, or game.
  • Devon no longer plays video games since his parents removed the gaming system. Now he spends the entire day texting and playing with his cell phone.

INCREASED TOLERANCE: continually increasing the amount of Internet use or game play, and the extent of involvement to reach a sense of satisfaction.

  • In the past Johnny may have been online for an hour or two. Now he games or uses technology longer than intended.
  • Spencer tries to cut down the amount of time he is spending online and fails. He now uses the Internet for 6 hours every day.

DECREASED EFFECT: experiencing a diminished effect with continued use.

  • Fred previously enjoyed gaming just for fun, now he is online for hours at a time, attempting to increase his status or position in the game.
  • Rebecca previously monitored her social networking account once per day. Lately, she keeps it running continuously so she can check on her friend’s status throughout the day. 

CONTINUED USE DESPITE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES: use of Internet or video game play in spite of its harmful effects; despite knowledge of harmful effects, Internet use or gaming is hard to stop.

  • Bob’s parents have threatened to take his phone and computer away unless he curbs his technology use. Bob continues to play.
  • Friends, family and peers comment on Gary’s level of texting and threaten to take his phone away. Gary ignores their comments and returns to texting.

INABILITY TO CONTROL USE OR CUT DOWN: difficulties controlling the beginning, and finishing of Internet use or game play, duration of time engaged in internet use, and/or efforts to modify internet use are attempted many times without success.

  • Steve promises his parents he is not addicted to the Internet or video gaming and that he can quit anytime.  Weeks go by and he has not been able to reduce his use.
  • Jill goes for a day or so without technology but then immediately returns to online game play. This occurs even though she tells herself, and others, that she intends to stop.

PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED ACTIVITIES ARE ABANDONED: as a result of excessive Internet or video game use, interests, recreation or social activities are decreased or abandoned.

  • Rather than socializing with her college friends or attending classes, Suzanne stays in her apartment each day playing online role play games.
  • Marty is on academic probation for dropping out of numerous college classes. Before he was involved in gaming, he was successful in his academic coursework.

PROBLEM AVOIDANCE: Internet use or video game play is seen as a way to escape problems or to gain relief from negative feelings.

  • Sonny would rather play video games than think about the stress he feels when he anticipates his parent’s response to his failing grades.
  • Cassandra spends the evening online to get away from the verbal abuse she is experiencing in her relationship.

LOSS OF CONTROL: the extent of Internet or video game use is denied or minimized to family, friends or professionals (including actual time and expenditure of internet contact).

  • Alex logged into his computer to check his email, and then surfed the rest of the day.
  • Becky was asked to feed her puppy in the morning, but was unable to stop using the computer long enough to complete the task.

PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPAIRMENT: everyday life and social function is impaired (e.g. in social, academic and workability).

  • John skipped his college classes so he could play video games in his dorm room.
  • Carrie called her boss at work claiming she was “sick” after staying up all night video gaming.

Courtesy of reSTART Internet Addiction Recovery Program . www.NetAddictionRecovery.com . (800) 682-6934