Internet penetration leading to addiction

Gurgaon, with 20.9% household internet penetration, scored better than IT hubs like Bangalore and Hyderabad in Census 2011. But high internet use is leading to increase in the number of internet addicts in the city. Addictions have always been associated with substance abuse that alters the chemical balance of the brain. Recent research shows that one can even experience a high, from excessive use of the internet. Internet addicts experience a rush even when they boot their computers. Pradeep Rai (name changed to protect privacy) was studying for his post-graduate entrance examinations two years ago, when he developed an interest in medical technology. He'd browse the web for hours at a time, reading about the subject. Soon there came a point, where he could no longer account for the time that he spent online. While initially, he justified his internet usage as a passion for state of the art technology in his field, eventually he realized that he took away very little from these sessions. His web hobby was taking over both his personal and professional life. It was only after professional psychological help that he is once again able to lead a balanced life. Rai is only one among the innumerable young professionals who suffer from internet addiction, an increasing reality in cities like Gurgaon. For a commoner, it can be defined as compulsive use of the internet that interferes with regular life. This disorder is mostly prevalent in young professionals in their twenties or thirties. A recent Stanford University study found that as many as 14% of young internet users neglected school, work, family, sleep and food to be able to spend more time online. Internet addicts typically spend 40 or more hours online every week in addition to online work time. Dr Ashish Mittal, a Gurgaon-based psychiatrist has helped many people overcome internet addiction. He, however, observes that all these addicts approached him informally. "This hesitation to go in for formal consultation may be due to a stigma attached to seeking psychiatric help or may be due to a lack of awareness about this disorder," says Mittal. Similarly, Dr Samir Parikh, director of mental health and behavioural sciences, Fortis Healthcare, recommends a structured routine, wherein one is aware of the time spent on each activity. "This will help people reduce their psychological dependence on the internet. There is also a pressing need to address issues that may stem from internet addiction disorder such as mounting academic pressure for students, professional concerns in the workplace and strained relationships that may result from excessive time spent online," he said. Unlike alcohol addiction, in order to overcome internet addiction, one cannot completely stop using the web. Psychiatrists recommend using an alarm clock to regulate the time spent on the web. Mittal insists on involving family members or close friends in the treatment: "They may help the addict monitor his progress and assist him when the going gets tough." Pradeep Rai echoes this opinion. He recalls leaving his laptop and data card with a close friend, during the early months of treatment. He even bought himself a mobile phone without internet facility during this time. The few times he did use his computer to surf the internet, his friend ensured that he did not go overboard. While internet addiction was not considered a disorder by many psychiatrists till now, it is likely to be included in the next edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM), which serves as the arbiter of mental illness. With a growing dependence on the internet for information and its relevance in our lives, internet addiction disorder is often hard to identify and goes unnoticed. There is a need to acknowledge it and seek professional help.