Internet Addiction

I feel like everywhere you look there are people trying to make up diseases or addictions to take people’s money, whether there is an actual addiction or not. One of the doctors that spoke about this piece said “it is easy to change the definition of a psychological disorder”. I completely agree with that and this internet addiction is example A. The internet “addiction” seems to be stretching the line of addiction; however, I do believe people become obsessed and that is different.

Addictions can by psychological or physical, recently learned in depth from AP Psych. Physical addictions results in with drawl because the body is lacking or having to remake substances that the drug controlled. Psychological addictions is the user making themselves believe that they need to have the drug or else they will not be able to function, like coffee.

The one leading fact that this internet addiction could be real is the MRI scan that showed more action in the areas of the brain that controlled decision making, emotions, and self-control. These are the same areas that are affected when someone in on drugs. A drug induces the high by blocking certain types of neurotransmitters from brain receptors. There is an actual active substance controlling chemicals in the human body. This is a true addiction. Even though the scans show the same areas activated as those who are on drugs, the people are not having agonizing with drawls like those who are in drug rehab. These internet addicts don’t physically need the internet (seriously you can’t even touch it).

 I think internet addiction could be self inflicted- like a psychological addiction. We use the internet so much in our daily lives that we feel the need to use it. People convince themselves that they must play an online game or check facebook or twitter when they just checked if they had any notifications two minutes ago. Almost everyone I know will aimlessly go through their iPhone on the internet, apps, or social media when we are bored or not doing anything. The kid who was obsessed with online games and had a mental break down when his mom took away his computer- that need is all in his head. Also, that child is obviously not disciplined well if the mom and sister had to hide in a room.

Researchers say people who are addicted to the internet show the same signs as actual drug addicts in their daily lives: the inability to stop even though they claim they will, sleep deprivation, and pulling away from human relationships. These are some of the examples straight from our AP Psych book as signs of an alcoholic. This is so weird. But this also brings to my attention another example of how strong the human mind can be.

Let’s say your friend got a sweet tea and you ordered a coke. You are actually drinking the sweat tea, but it tastes like coke because that is the taste your mind was expecting. After a minute, you realize you are drinking sweet tea and your mind is blown. Trust me this happened to me the other week. I think this can apply to psychological addictions in the way people’s minds control their expectations about how much they need the internet.

 If this internet addiction is real, it’s all in people’s heads. There is no physical demand like the effects cocaine. I think doctors are pushing obsessions over the line to addicts. Seriously, $400 a day for an internet addiction cure? Just send those people to the mountains where there is no internet or cell service- not only is that a free fix, but also it would be funny to watch. Hey look I probably just created another reality show idea. Go figure.