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Self-Help: Computer Addiction

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Self-Help: Computer Addiction Resources and Support for Families with students facing Internet Addictions Self-Help: Computer Addiction Some people develop bad habits in their computer use that cause them significant problems in their lives. The types of behavior and negative consequences are similar to those of known addictive disorders; therefore, the term Computer or Internet Addiction has come into use. While anyone who uses a computer could be vulnerable, those people who are lonely, shy, easily bored, or suffering from another addiction or impulse control disorder as especially vulnerable to computer abuse. Computer abuse can result from people using it repeatedly as their main stress reliever, instead of having a variety of ways to cope with negative events and feelings. Other misuses can include procrastination from undesirable responsibilities, distraction from being upset, and attempts to meet needs for companionship and belonging. While discussions are ongoing about whether excessive use of the computer/Internet is an addiction, the potential problematic behaviors and effects on the users seem to be clear. The Signs of Problematic Computer Use A person who is “addicted” to the computer is likely to have several of the experiences and feelings on the list below: How many of them describe you? You have mixed feelings of well-being and guilt while at the computer. You make unsuccessful efforts to quit or limit your computer use. You lose track of time while on the computer. You neglect friends, family and/or responsibilities in order to be online. You find yourself lying to your boss and family about the amount of time spent on the computer and what you do while on it. You feel anxious, depressed, or irritable when your computer time is shortened or interrupted. You use the computer repeatedly as an outlet when sad, upset, or for sexual gratification. You develop problems in school or on the job as a result of the time spent and the type of activities accessed on the computer. When you are not on the computer, you think about it frequently and anticipate when you will use it again. Being “addicted” to the computer also can cause physical discomfort. Are you suffering from the following physical problems? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain, numbness, and burning in your hands that can radiate up the wrists, elbows, and shoulders) Dry eyes or strained vision Back aches and neck aches Severe headaches Sleep disturbances Students May be at Risk Do any of these stories sound familiar to you? You have difficulty getting your homework done because computer games occupy a great deal of your time. You connect to the Internet and suddenly discover it is several hours later and you have not left the computer. Your friends are worried about you going on a date alone with a person known only from a chat room. You spend most of your time on-line talking to friends from home, instead of making new friends at college. Almost all of your friends are from on-line activities and contacts. Your romantic partner is distraught because you have replaced your sexual relationship with Internet pornography and online sex. Treatment must begin with recognizing that there is a problem. Overcoming denial should be followed by other treatment steps, including; Generating a behavior modification plan, such as setting a timer for usage, planning a daily schedule, keeping a log of moods when going online, matching time spent online with time spent socializing face to face and taking part in non-computer related activities. Focusing on other areas for needed skill enhancement, such as problem solving, assertiveness, social skills, overcoming shyness, and anger control. Assessing for other disorders like depression or anxiety that may need medical treatment. Assistance in locating or forming a support group for other students who are trying to regain control over their computer use. How to Help Computer Obsessed Friends Be a good role model. Manage the computer use in your own life well. Introduce them to some other people who handle their computer use sensibly. Get them involved in some non-computer related fun. Talk to your friends about your concerns with their computer use. Support their desire for change if they think they have a problem. Encourage them to seek professional counseling. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.utdallas.edu/counseling/selfhelp/porn-addiction.html Resources and Support for Families with students facing Internet Addictions Self-Help: Overcoming Pornography Addiction Some people see pornography as a potential addiction. This can happen when people spend increasing amounts of time using pornography and begin using increasingly more extreme pornographic material. This increase in use occurs even though the use has negative consequences. Some people find that their entire sex life revolves around pornography and they are unable to be sexually involved with a real person without the use of pornography. How would you know if your pornography use is harmful to you? The following are some signs that pornography use is problematic: The use feels like it is out of your control. You make unsuccessful efforts to quit or limit your use. Your use of pornography is incompatible with your beliefs and values. You feel guilt, shame, depression, and/or remorse after using pornography. You keep your pornography use or the extent of your pornography use secret from others and worry that others will find out about your use. The use of pornography consumes your thinking. When you are not using pornography, you think about if frequently and anticipate when you will use it again. You spend increasing amounts of time using pornography. Your use of pornography has negative consequences in your life. For example, you may neglect responsibilities or become less effective in your job or in academics. You might spend too much money on pornography or put yourself in dangerous situations you would not normally be in due to the pornography or sexual addiction. You may have been caught using pornography in inappropriate places such as work or a campus computer lab. Your use of pornography causes problems in your intimate relationships, such as creating emotional distance between people you love or causing those in a relationship with you to feel neglected. You may lose relationships due to the pornography. Any of these signs can indicate that pornography is becoming a problem. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about may have a problem with pornography, check out the self-help resources at the end of this article or talk to a mental health professional. Ideas for Changing Pornography Usage: Change routines and environments that lead to pornography usage. Avoid high risk situations. Make a list of the positive and negative consequences of using versus not using pornography. Spend less time alone. Review the status of your friendships and relationships. Are they meaningful and satisfying? If not, what would make them more fulfilling? Learn new ways of coping with strong feelings like anxiety, loneliness, anger, depression, and boredom. Identify activities that can help you relax, enjoy yourself, and feel refreshed. The following self-help web resources have more information on sexual addictions, pornography use, treatment for sexual addictions, and help for those affected by another person’s use of pornography: The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) www.sash.net Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) www.saa-recovery.org Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) www.sa.org Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA) www.sca-recovery.org (no current Texas groups) Sexual Recovery Anonymous (SRA) www.sexualrecovery.org (no current Texas groups) S-Anon International Family Groups www.sanon.org Codependents of Sexual Adictions www.cosa-recovery.org (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.utdallas.edu/counseling/selfhelp/porn-addiction.html This site offers a $99.00 self-paced course that is Christian Based http://www.x3pure.com/ (Adult, Christian) http://www.x3pure.com/info_for_parents/) looks like they have a parent trainings coming soon Galaxy Counseling Center 972.272.4429 highly recommends workshops in the metroplex offered by Buddy Knight. His website has upcoming workshops and great information for families. http://www.knightsquest.org/ .
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