Help for the "terminally addicted." (Internet addiction)

Hello, my name is Celeste, and I'm a Webaholic ...

Well, according to the research I've done on addiction to the Internet, I could easily become one, but I'm not there yet. And lest you think that perhaps I exaggerate, let me assure you that Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) has officially entered the medical lexicon. Professionals disagree about its seriousness. Some believe it's just a lot of fun, and others argue that it is in the same class as alcoholism.

Some psychologists say Internet addiction is evident when people spend so much time online that they:

* Set aside basic hygiene needs, such as bathing

* Stop eating properly

* Lose contact with family and friends

Dr. Kimberly S. Young, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, has been studying Internet addiction over the past several years. She founded the Center for Online Addiction, which offers seminars on Internet addiction.

"I began to read tongue-in-cheek comments in trade journals and the news regarding online addiction," she says. "These sparked my formal research into the question: `Can people really become psychologically addicted to the Internet?' Loss of control, cravings and withdrawal Symptoms, social isolation, marital discord, academic failure, excessive financial debt, job termination -- these are just some of the consequences documented in my research."

She's spoken with hundreds of self-professed addicts. Of course, that's not hard to do. There are several Web sites where the addicted like to hang out for support.

"I can feel the pixels on the screen hit my face," one writes. "Every time I'm not logged on I feel empty, alone, wishing only to be there jumping from site to site, chatting, sending E-mail. I probably check my E-mail a couple dozen times a day."

"I was forced to move my computer into the hallway," another reports, "so I could stretch the keyboard to either the bathroom or den. My wife is livid. What should I do? I'm thinking of a spare computer so I can log on from the patio. I can't live without `New Mail Waiting.' I'm up to four log-ins a day."

"It's not a good sign," another observes, "when one trades Net surfing for sleep, but I can't help it. There are just too many things to see."

"People all over the world are using E-mail to talk to each other about everything under the sun," psychologist Alan Babcock E-mailed me. "Their personal lives, hopes, dreams, and fantasies all find their way into this powerful new communication tool. This fact, I believe, gives us insight into the overall popularity and nature of the Internet. The ability to relate to others and choose groups to identify with is among our most basic and important needs. The internet satisfies this need quite well -- we can be ourselves or anyone we choose to be."

It's easy to get hooked on the Web. A page leads to a link, to a page, to a link, to a page, and before you know it, two hours have flown by. Case in point: since beginning this article a few hours ago I have checked my E-mail a dozen times, completed a survey online, and researched "volksmarching."

Not to worry if you suspect you might be addicted. There is help available. Of course, it's online, which is akin to holding AA meetings in a bar. But for most people, Internet addiction will never amount to more than a slight twitch of your mouse finger when someone yells "Yahoo!" or a little confusion when trying to locate an address with strange names ending in "street" and "avenue" instead of starting "http://www."

As with anything, moderation is key. if you find you're exhibiting a lot of the symptoms of IAD and the shock therapy of seeing your phone bill doesn't cure you, get some help. Real help.