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Internet Addiction Treatment

Internet Addiction Disorder

 

At the present time, the concept of addiction is not exclusively related to the use of substances or drugs. For instance, opiates, alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines. It goes beyond to include frequently internet addiction or problematic use of internet or technologies. Do you need an internet addiction, gambling addiction or gaming addiction treatment?

Addiction, in general, is associated with non-healthy and hazardous behaviours. These behaviours can become addictive, depending on the strength, assiduity or amount of time and money one invest in carrying them out. It can, on the negative side, seriously interfere with the person’s life. This is the case of internet use, gambling, gaming, etc.

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For additional information, please contact us: +351 911 510 098 or admissions@dianova.pt

Factors that may increase risk of internet addiction:

> In the first place, difficulty in facing the problems.

> Second, low self-esteem.

> Third, impulsivity.

> Not to menition, intolerance to unpleasant physical or psychological stimuli, such as pain and sadness.

> Or depressive mood or dysphoria.

> And finally, search for strong feelings, increase predisposition and vulnerability for a person to develop an addiction.

A behaviour becomes addictive when the person:

> loses control of the beginning or end of the behaviour.

> develops an addiction

> disappears the interest in other activities that previously gave him/her pleasure, maintaining the behaviour, despite being aware of its negative consequences.

Different Types of Behavioural Addiction or Addictive Behaviours

There are still many people today who see behavioural addiction simply as an addiction. In fact, they constitute a disorder or mental disorder.

Exist several types of addictive behaviours directly related to the obsessive need to be connected to the internet in its different modalities. Screen Addiction includes:

> smartphones and tablets.

> online game, online betting, gambling.

> videogames, gaming.

> cybersex, pornography.

> compulsive shopping online.

> cyberbullying.

> social networks.

Internet Addiction Disorder or Problematic Use of the Internet

Technological development has revolutionized our way of being in the world.

Internet addiction is defined as an impulse-control disorder that does not involve an intoxicating substance. That is, the inability of a person to control their use of technology. Thus, resulting in feelings of frustration and functional impairment of daily activities.

As a result of this massive access and fast progress of digital technologies, the way people use the Internet evolves to an “always online” mode. Laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart watches are among the most popular devices.

It is undeniable that technologies and the internet are part of our day-to-day life at a personal and / or professional level. On the one hand, they help us shorten distances. And to access information faster and have another mode of entertainment.

But, on the other hand, it has its drawbacks and can have a negative impact in:

> daily routines.

> work performance.

> family relationships.

> emotional moods.

> financially damaging levels e.g. of gambling.

Excessive use of the Internet is associated with low self-esteem, relationship difficulties with others and psychiatric disorders. Evidence base referes to Online Casinos, Online Gambling, Gaming, for instance. 

It is still considered a new behavioural disorder. However, have been identified common characteristics of the Internet Addiction with classic Addiction models involving substances.

Prominence | Change of Humour | Tolerance | Withdrawal | Conflict | Relapse provide a basis for identifying a problematic use of the Internet.

Internet Addiction Treatment

In most cases, people suffering from internet addiction do not follow any treatment. However, there is evidence that confirms that people who seek professional help can improve their quality of life.

Dianova can help you overcome these problems or others by offering specialized treatment:

> Qualified and personalized care by a team of professionals. Particularly, in the areas of General Medicine, Psychiatry and Psychology.

> An integral and coordinated intervention from a multidisciplinary perspective in all the areas of the complex problem of addictions. The psychological attendance is essential and fundamental.


This intervention focuses on impulse / control management. This helps to achieve new learning processes with the goal of improving self-esteem, managing your emotions. It also includes tools to prevent relapses and enhance your resources and capabilities. For international clients, the intervention is provided in English language.

Contact us: +351 911 510 098 or admissions@dianova.pt

Test Evaluate Your Internet Dependency or IAT Assessment Test

The results of this self-test are not a reliable diagnosis of addiction. They should be used only as a guide to understanding your drug use and the potential health problems involved. The information provided here should be complemented by a thorough evaluation. Spefically, by a health professional for advice on the type of treatment program.

Learn more about the scale of the problem of Gambling, Gaming and Technology | Internet Problematic Use

Recent research has highlighted behavioral similarities between excessive smartphone use and other addictive disorders, such as Internet Gaming Disorder or Alcohol Use Disorder. Those who fit the criteria for smartphone addiction reported that they constantly checked their smartphone, missed work due to smartphone use, had difficulties concentrating because of their smartphone, and felt impatient and fretful in the absence of their smartphone.

Gambling addiction or Gambling disorder is a mental illness with loss of control over gambling behavior. The links between problem gambling and stress, depression and mental health problems are growing. For teenagers is normal to have laptops in their rooms and smartphones in their pockets. That makes it possible to gamble 24 hours a day, without leaving their bedroom, without anyone else knowing.

Risks and consequences

While adult gambling problems are often measured in terms of debts, the damage done to children and young people can be more insidious. It affects their sense of themselves, dropping out of school or university, losing friends because they borrow money and can’t repay it, lose interest in their hobbies, and gambling-related suicides.

A recent study of the most popular desktop videogames showed that more than 70% of games – even some designed for young children – now contain “loot boxes”: opportunities for players to spend money on mystery virtual items.

Worthy to mention that with young people, there’s a significant association with alcohol and drugs. Alcohol disinhibits them. Cocaine is a stimulant, it keeps them going all night. Low mood and anxiety can play a part: sometimes they are using the gambling to act almost as a self-medication.