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Online Addiction - Adolescents and Young Adults

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Nearly every adolescent and young adult has the potential to develop an addiction to something. Whether it is a substance that is illegal or unhealthy, an online game, a particular type of food or even a specific activity, developing an addiction is not something saved only for those with a tendency to move towards drugs or alcohol.

Internet addiction disorder is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life. This addiction has spread rapidly over the last 10 years, especially in our youth. While time spent online can be hugely productive, compulsive internet use can interfere with daily life, work, and relationships. When a teenager or young adult feels more comfortable with their online friends than with their real ones, or they can’t stop themselves from playing games, gambling, or compulsively surfing the web then he/she may be using the internet too much. 

Internet Addiction, otherwise known as computer addiction, online addiction, or internet addiction disorder (IAD), covers a variety of impulse-control problems, including; cybersex addiction, cyber-relationship addiction, net compulsions, information overhead, or just a simple computer addiction

The Consequences of an Internet Addiction

Past studies in the United States have found that 8 percent of adolescents could be classified as computer addicts, and the percentage has continued to rise. Like any addiction, internet addiction has various effects on an individual. Internet addiction can be a significant threat to a teenager's or young adult's health and social well-being in that it enforces antisocial behavior. The addiction can lead to the inability to communicate in the real world by depriving the addict of the daily practices involved with interpersonal communication. Ultimately, an addiction to the internet can cripple one's ability to maintain a healthy social life.

Internet addiction disrupts nerve wiring in the brains of teenagers and young adults, causing a level of brain damage normally seen in heavy substance abusers.Similar effects have been seen in the brains of other teens and young adults that have been exposed to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. Although an addiction to the internet seems silly to most, being hooked on a behavior can be just as physically damaging as addiction to drugs.

At Therapy Insider our professionals specialize in and are dedicated to placing troubled teens and troubled young that may suffer from one or many mental and/or behavioral health problems. It is our goal at Therapy Insider to place these troubled youth into a treatment facility or offer them with a therapeutic strategy that will be of the greatest benefit to their recovery. No matter what struggles these troubled teens and troubled young adults may be facing, there is help and guidance for them. In cases like these, internet addictions or addictions of any kind, every moment is crucial. Call Therapy Insider today and speak to one of our professionals.