Addiction for the Modern Age: Internet Addiction

The creation of the internet is arguably the greatest invention of human kind. It has linked the four corners of the Earth together, and enabled the expansion and availability of knowledge to anyone with a connection to it. However, with the internet came a slew of unforeseen issues like concerns over privacy, identity theft, and more recently, addiction.

Internet addiction is defined by Dr. Kimberly Young as "any online-related, compulsive behavior which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one's work environment."

Over the past few years mental health practitioners have been diagnosing individuals with Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), although this condition has never been fully accepted by the American Medical Association or the American Psychiatric Association. According to a 2011 Huffington Post article, internet addition will also not be included the newest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), but it could be referred to in the appendix which may lead to its inclusion in a future version of the manual.

What IS currently included in the DSM is the diagnostic criteria for abuse which is as follows:

A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period: 

(1) recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household)
(2) recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use)
(3) recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct)
(4) continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights) 

Using this criteria, one could easily be diagnosed with an internet ABUSE problem. At this point you may be asking yourself if internet addiction can fall under the realm of abuse, then why is the need for IAD to be included in the DSM so important?

The answer is simple: TREATMENT.  Internet Addiction Disorder's inclusion in the DSM would inevitably lead to more research on the disorder, which would lead to more practitioners focusing on treatment. Some reputable treatment centers are available like the  Center for Internet Addiction, but the disorder is becoming so rampant that IAD "camps" are being emerge where "treatment" includes mental abuse and physical torture. If more mental health practitioners are focused on the quality treatment of the disorder, then a scientifically researched, evidence based standard of care of will emerge.