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Choosing a Top Internet Addiction Recovery Center

If you’re on the hunt for a top inpatient recovery center for yourself or a loved one, you’re not alone. Internet addiction is a growing problem affecting people of all ages. The Internet has taken over just about every aspect of daily life.

From computers to tablets to mobile devices, the online universe is always just a click away. For most people, it’s an extremely useful and manageable medium that makes it easy to do everything from conducting extensive research for work or school to watching a full season of a favorite television program in one sitting. However, for some people, the Internet has become the place where they spend most if not all of their time. Their Internet use has spiraled out of control and has negatively affected their personal and professional lives.

Check out the information below if you’re trying to find the best inpatient Internet treatment centers. If you feel like you need to speak with someone right away, contact one of our counselors at .

What Is Internet Addiction?

“Internet addiction is often called Internet Addictive Disorder (IAD).”Many people claim they live their lives online, but Internet addicts really do live online. People suffering from Internet addiction find it extremely difficult to log off. Online addiction can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Some people are addicted to Internet porn, while others have heavy online gambling problems. Still others are addicted to gaming, often spending hundreds of hours a week in front of their monitors. When going online means that you are no longer able to function normally offline, you probably have an Internet addiction. You can call day or night, if you have any questions or want information about Internet treatment centers in your area.

Although it has not yet been officially recognized as a psychiatric disorder, many psychiatrists and psychologists note that people who are “addicted” to the Internet may actually be suffering from other underlying psychological issues that are manifesting themselves in obsessive Internet use.

Internet addiction is often called Internet Addictive Disorder (IAD). People with this condition have several symptoms, including:

  • Internet addicts have an intense need to spend an increased amount of time online. As that amount of time increases, they become less and less satisfied, so their tolerance levels increase.
  • Internet addicts experience intense withdrawal symptoms if they are forced to get offline. They’ll experience things such as overwhelming anxiety, obsessive thoughts about what they’re missing online and dreams about being online.
  • Internet addicts will often ghost type, moving their fingers in a typing motion even when not on the computer.
  • Internet addicts withdraw from all other aspects of their lives. Their social interactions with family and friends suffer as they pull away from interacting with people offline.
  • Internet addicts have a difficult time focusing on their careers and often quit their jobs or are fired.

How Serious Is This Condition?

The fact that inpatient Internet recovery centers even exist means the condition can be extremely serious and disruptive to someone’s life. As recently reported by Time, a new study shows that Internet addicts suffer withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by hardened drug addicts going through withdrawal. The study compared the withdrawal symptoms of some of the participants to those suffered by people withdrawing from the drug ecstasy. If trying to get offline is akin to trying to detox from a drug, a top Internet recovery program can make all of the difference in helping people deal with their compulsions.

Treatment for Different Types of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)

Treatment of IAD is based on interventions for drug addiction, for the most part. Both psychological and medical treatments have been shown to be effective treatment strategies. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps a person to change their behaviors, and includes the teaching of better time-management skills. Preliminary results of such interventions have shown sustained abstinence in 4 studies of adolescents, with one such study showing that most of the clients were able to manage the presenting problem by the 8th session.

The use of extended release methylphenidate (AdderallR) in young children with Internet video game addiction and ADHD has had successful outcomes in reducing Internet use.

Online Gaming Addiction

While an excessive healthy enthusiasm for online gaming may add to life, gaming addiction takes away from life, adding negative consequences for the behavior such as the neglect of family relationships and/or work. Internet-based treatments include online support systems based on 12-Step models used by Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous.

CBT helps a person identify and deal with underlying problems. The aim of treatment of gaming addicts is to increase the addict’s prosocial skills through activities that replace time spent gaming with real-life activities. A 12-week study using bupropion (WellbutrinR) has been effective in decreasing problem gaming behavior and depression.

Cybersex

Sometimes referred to as the ‘crack cocaine of sexual compulsivity,’ persons with this IAD often report being lost in a trance as they scroll through different sites, holding off orgasm for long periods of time and spending considerable amounts of money on live chat sites.

There is a lot of shame experienced by many of these people. Remember, we are dealing with addiction, and help is available. The understanding of people who care is much greater than your deepest shame, so don’t hesitate to call us at for assistance.

Various inpatient and outpatient treatment centers use interventions based on drug-addictions. 12-Step peer-support groups are very helpful for sharing and finding meaning through sharing experiences. Individual therapy can help with co-occurring disorders such as delayed orgasm or premature ejaculation in their intimate partner/marriage relationships. Citalopram (CelexaR) has shown moderate effects in reducing pornography use.

Social Networking Addiction

Social networking sites (SNS) are a great way to establish and maintain contact. However, there is a concern that problem use can become addictive when the SNS displaces face-to-face interaction and other social activities. Because access to work in today’s culture requires phone and PC use, treatment is most effective when controlled use is the goal of therapy.

CBT and counseling which addresses such issues as loneliness, isolation, or poor self-esteem, may be very effective. If you or someone you love struggles with IAD, help is available. Call us at today.

American Addiction Centers has helped thousands recover from drug addiction and we can help you or your loved one too. Check your insurance to find out instantly if your insurance provider may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies. You can also sign up 24/7 text support for addiction questions at your convenience.

What Should I Look for in a Center?

The first Internet treatment center opened in 2009. Since then, many centers have become available to those seeking help. Inpatient centers are ideal because patients are in an environment where their Internet usage can be strictly controlled. When choosing the right addiction recovery program for internet addiction, you should focus on the following:

  • Select a center that offers individualized plans. Internet addiction comes in many forms, and a detox and treatment plan that works for one person may not work for another.
  • Find out exactly how the center’s detox program works. Because no actual drug needs to be removed from your system, the focus will be on a psychological detoxification process.
  • Choose an inpatient Internet treatment center that offers individual counseling with certified mental health-care professionals.
  • Select a center that will help you develop the life skills and coping mechanisms that you’ll need once you get back into the real, offline world.
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