Rock Center
Hilarie Cash and Cosette Rae, the founders of the nation’s first residential treatment facility for Internet addiction, say that in an increasingly digital world it’s impossible to be truly abstinent from technology.
“Technology is here to stay. I mean, we need it for work. We need it for all different types of activities. Your employer’s going to require you to use some kind of technology,” Rae said. “Therefore, we need to look at their pattern of use and find a way they can create a sustainable lifestyle for themselves.”
Cash and Rae opened their Washington facility, reSTART, in 2009 and have since treated 500 patients. They are part of a growing number of scientists and addiction specialists who believe it is possible to become addicted to the Internet.
Trapped by an Internet 'addiction,' obsessed surfers seek rehab help
“The tide is rising in terms of awareness of it as an issue, but it’s just slow, you know, to reach the general population,” Cash said.
While avoiding all technology on a permanent basis is impossible, Rae and Cash say that people can be more responsible about their technology use by assessing their behavior.
They've developed a list of signs and symptoms to assess whether someone might be abusing the Internet or have an addiction. Those symptoms are below.
Signs and Symptoms of Computer and Internet/Gaming Addiction Developed by reSTART
Three to four 'yes' responses suggest abuse. Five or more 'yes' responses suggest addiction.
• Increasing amounts of time spent on computer and internet activities
• Failed attempts to control behavior
• Heightened sense of euphoria while involved in computer and internet activities
• Craving more time on the computer and internet
• Neglecting friends and family
• Feeling restless when not engaged in the activity
• Being dishonest with others
• Computer use interfering with job/school performance
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, anxious, or depressed as a result of behavior
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Physical changes such as weight gain or loss, backaches, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Withdrawing from other pleasurable activities
Developed by reStart founder Dr. Hilarie Cash, PhD. For more information, click here to visit reSTART Internet Addiciton Recovery Program's web site.
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I am disappointed with the fact you do not make transcripts available - as far as I can see. At 87 years of age with lots of experience dealing with addicts, A video does not aid in developing a conversation with probable addicts. They will just turn you off and - at my age, I cannot begin to remember all that is offered in video form. However, if I had a transcript, I could use the data provided to counter the protests of the person who does not seek relief.
Please try to understand my concerns and help those of us who really want to help.
Thank you!
Is it ironic that I am reading about an internet addiction while browsing the internet? Interesting.
really? please!!! this is such B.S.................just another sympathy oriented story to pay to send someone to rehab for B.S. crap. I have no sympathy, empathy or whatever empathy............I'm sure Mr. Obama will make sure they get the right 'help' .... OMG
I just wanted to say That piece on Internet addiction did not get the coverage it deserves. For those who have not gone had the experience of dealing someone who is addicted to on-line gaming. Please don't speak. There are a lot people who suffer watching the ones they care about lose themselves to video games and on line chatting. It's a bigger problem then people think. Next time really research the subject you want to report on. That was pretty vague. But on the other hand congrats for bring this subject to light.
could internet addiction be reason for, or a cause of a declining economy?
Hilarie Cash and Cosette Rae charge these poor suckers FOUR HUNDRED BUCKS A DAY for "treatment". a good gig if you can get it, one supposes.
As a former divorce attorney, I assure all doubters that internet addiction has long existed. Many marriages and jobs have been lost to it. As for some of those who protest the loudest, often it is just like with all other things -- "me thinks thou doeth protest too much!?"
Years ago, hubby joined WOW because several colleagues at work played. We were invited over to one colleagues house for a BBQ. We arrived and everyone was outside for what seemed like a normal BBQ. All of a sudden there was silence and the game players dropped whatever they were doing and went in. Apparently there was some "Instance", is what they called it, that their "clan" relied on them to be there for.
We walked in to the most unkept house I had ever been in. I have been in a few, but this one beats all. There was cat litter that was so old and spilled from the bathroom into the middle of the kitchen floor. Dishes piled so high in the sink, items strewn across the living room, there was no where to sit, stand or walk. The house was so much of a mess, MY children, who were barely 5 and 6 started cleaning it. Their 4 year old acted like she had no idea the house could be clean. She danced and ran around in all the open space that had recently been littered clothes, dishes and garbage.
It was complete neglect.
The office was a relatively large room, just as messy with desks running the walls perimeter and a few desks in the center of the room. Sitting on those desks had to be at least 10 computers.
They attempted to get me to join in and at the time I remember thinking, "But, who will take care of the kids?"
I don't know what happened to that family. I heard several years later that they had divorced. I think of them any time I get so wrapped up in something that I seemingly put my family on the back burner.
I don't know if this type of scenario is addiction is real or someone being selfish. But, the results of their actions seem to be the same.
I believe that the title of this story was very misleading. The addiction does not come from the Internet. The addiction comes from the content of what is being viewed on the Internet, i.e., World of Warcraft, Halo, poker, etc. As the mother of a son who is now on the recovery side of a World of Warcraft addiction, I can say with 100% certainty that the addiction is very real. These games are especially attractive to those with self-esteem issues. As the real worlds beat the player down, the fantasy world builds them up. The chemical changes that occur in the brain while a person is playing WOW is identical to that of a heroin addict. In my son's instance, he quickly changed from a college student in an honors program to a college dropout that isolated himself for days in his room without eating, showering and even using the bathroom. He was depressed and at the worst point suicidal. Only with the help of a psychiatrist (his third doctor) who truly believed that the disease was real was my son able to reacclimate himself to the real world and leave the fantasy world behind. It was a long, grueling 3-year battle - and some families are not as blessed as mine. We were able to save our son because of our diligence and his eventual admission that he had a problem that he could no longer control. I would encourage more conversation, research and reporting about online gaming addiction and discourage the use of the label "internet addiction". And those of you who are skeptical, talk to someone who has been directly affected by these evil games. It is a real disease and lives have been lost because of our denial in recognizing online gaming as a true addiction.
We live in N.J. and I have had no luck finding a doctor that has experience with gaming addiction. Did you have to find one that deals with any kind of addictions?