On-Line Self-Help Therapy--
Another form of help is On-Line Self-Help Therapy. On the surface, this may seem to make the problem of on-line addiction worse. After all, it would seem that all On-Line Self-Help Therapy would do is promote the use of the Internet even more. Self help does, however, have some very positive effects, and using the Internet in an effective way may, in fact, help the problem rather than cause more of one. Here is some information about self-help, and also the pros and cons of on-line self help therapy.
     Alcoholics Anonymous has been used as a model for many other self-help groups. It is the oldest and largest self-help group in existence. The group works by having a group of members with a common problem and goal. They seek to solve this problem by sharing experiences, hopes and ways of accomplishing their common goal. These basic principles of AA can be applied to nearly any self-help group, whether the group is on-line or not.
     A self-help group is not just to help one's "self," as the name may imply. It is a way for people to collectively help one another. Like psychotherapy, teamwork is involved. The difference is, however, that, in self-help groups, there is not one person giving the help and the other person is receiving the help. There is a give and take between all members. Each person is both providing help to others, and receiving help from others, all at the same time. Humphries points out, in his book that, "One of the empowering features of self-help groups is that members experience autonomy, control of the group, and a sense that they are experts on their problem." www.concentric.net
     One of the most attractive aspects of on-line self-help groups is accessibility at any time. For example, by providing therapy on an e-mail discussion list, people have the ability to schedule their participation at a time that is best for them.

On-line self-help therapy may also be attractive for
one or more of the following reasons:
-- If you have economic barriers to traditional psychotherapy, for example, if you cannot afford it.
-- If you initially want a little distance in any sort of therapeutic relationship.
-- If you live in a remote area where therapists are not readily accessible.
-- If you have a physical disability which makes getting to traditional therapy too difficult.
-- If you are thinking about entering traditional therapy, but first want to get a sense if what it might be like.
-- The embarrassment factor is significantly decreased because no one "really" knows who you are.

There are reasons that on-line
self-help therapy may not be desirable:
-- Honesty is a problem. A recent article by Sampson, Kolodinsky & Greeno (1997) included several studies that investigated the practices of on-line therapists acting as mediators in self help groups. In one study, they searched the Web and found that many counselors who were offering on-line services did not identify their professional credentials, nor did they specify their subject area of their degree.
-- Misinterpretation of information. Because there are no vocal or visual cues, information that is important to one person may not be thought to be as important by someone else. On the other hand, a joke may be taken seriously because the intent cannot be seen or heard.

An example of on-line services can be found at: http://www.halcyon.com/drburck/welcome.htm
"We at On-Line Counseling Service understand ourselves as a clearing house for people whom, for whatever reason, dare not make the first step into the healing process on their own, who fear stigmatization and prefer anonymous contact as a first step towards comprehensive therapy. We do not offer therapy but offer our knowledge and training to provide guidance in a "pre-therapeutic" environment by empowering you to make an informed decision about the resources available and help you to find the therapy form tailor-made for your special needs. We are open for all your questions, and the anonymity of the Web is your protection. We are a team of dedicated individuals - students, teachers and professionals - who devote their time, effort and expertise. For a small fee to cover our expenses, we will assist you along your difficult way. However, the services we offer are NOT intended to replace direct consultation with a licensed professional."

Integrate Your On-Line and Off-Line Life--
Another method of treating Internet addiction is to integrate on-line and off-line life. How do you do that? Here are some ideas:

1) Tell your on-line friends about your off-line life. You may want to enrich your relationship with an on-line buddy. What better way is there to do that than to share your real identity? You may want to tell your on-line friend about your family, friends, job, and any other aspects you wish to share about your life. This not only gives your on-line friend a better sense of your true identity, but also allows you to gain some insight about yourself. Your on-line companion can also tell you how you present yourself in comparison to who you really are.

2) Tell the people in your off-line life about your on-line life. People in your off-line life may be able to give you input on your on-line personality and lifestyle. When communicating only with typed text in cyberspace, it's easy to misread, even distort, the personality and intentions of the people you meet. Off-line friends and family -- who know you well -- can give you some perspective about those distortions.

3) Meet your on-line companions in person. As relationships on the Internet progress, it is natural to want to talk on the phone or meet. This is a natural progression. This also gives the opportunity to apply some physical aspects to the relationship, instead of just interpreting what you read on the computer. Misconceptions that you and your on-line friend have about each other may be realized. As a result, you may realize things about yourself.

4) When meeting initially, use caution. Go to a populated area because although you may feel like you have a solid relationship with this person, you really do not know them at all.

5) Meet off-line companions on-line. This may sound odd, but bring your off-line friends into your on-line life. By encouraging family, friends, and co workers to become a part of your on-line life, you are opening up a new way of communication. This should be pretty easy, especially considering that nearly everyone these days makes use of e-mail and chat rooms. You may learn things about people in your off-line life that you did not know; people in your off-line life may learn new things about you that they have not before.

6) Bring on-line behavior off-line. Cyberspace living can be thought as living with training wheels on. You may be experimenting with new ways to express yourself on the Internet, because you are still shaky as to how off-line people will view your new actions. If you incorporate these behaviors into off-line life slowly, you may be able to understand these new behaviors, and why you were afraid to express them.

(Also see Learning to Integrate On-Line and Off-Line Living on this Web site)

Going Cold Turkey--
It may seem that pulling the plug, cutting the modem wire, or stopping Internet use cold turkey is the way to go. For some, this may be possible. In the majority of cases, however, this is not so. Many of the reported cases are from student and worker populations where use of the Internet to accomplish research or business goals is a requirement, not an option. Internet addiction is much like an overeating disorder, and curbing the problem is like going on a diet. Dr. Ozrack, PhD. says that a plan similar to that of Overeaters Anonymous, a twelve step group that addresses eating disorders, is a valid model from which examples of dealing with the reduction of a behavior can be drawn.

Summary--
The most important thing to do once you realized that you are addicted to the Internet is to realize that help isavailable, and your problem can be greatly reduced, or even eliminated. You need to find the type of help that is best for you.
     Many hospitals offer services, not just for individuals addicted to the Internet, but also evaluate businesses, schools, and community organizations. For individuals, each case is evaluated using special diagnostic criteria. The primary treatment employed is cognitive behavior therapy, which emphasizes a psychoeducational approach to helping patients. If appropriate, medication treatment may be recommended. Patients learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of computer addiction and learn coping skills to normalize their behavior. They also learn the appropriate use of computer technology in work, family, educational and recreational roles. Support groups for those affected are also offered.
     For businesses, computer addiction problems for companies experiencing rising ineffectiveness and mounting costs as a result of employees' computer addiction are assessed. Trained personnel help troubled employees both individually and through on-site workshops. Emphasis is on how to recognize signs and symptoms among employees and efforts that can be taken to curb the problem.
     In schools, health care staff, teachers, academic and scholastic administrators, student advisers and guidance counselors are trained to watch for signs and symptoms of students at risk. Information is provided to parents and other concerned individuals to help students learn coping skills to avoid these problems. Dr. Marisa Orzack runs the program. To read an interview with Dr. Orzack concerning Internet addiction and the program, visit www.www.boston.com/globe/magazine/5-16/interview.

Sources--
www.concentric.net
www.mentalhealth.com
www.netaddiction.com
www.victoriapoint.com
Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan. Abnormal Psychology. McGraw Hill: Boston, MA. 1998.