Adolescent Internet Addiction Treatment

Internet Addiction is a Behavioral Addiction, characterized by compulsive use of the internet to a severe degree in which several other aspects’ of the adolescents’ live suffer because of it.  Whereas for most people in the United States, the internet has become a daily tool ingrained into daily life, for addicted adolescents, it is an alternative world that they have sought refuge in, in an effort to withdraw from and avoid their real lives.  As an effect of this profuse use of the internet- which can include video gaming, chat rooms, and/or pornographic web sites- adolescents’ cause difficulty in other aspects of their lives, including school work, responsibilities and commitments, and relationships.  Adolescent Internet Addiction Treatment involves supporting teens to decrease their internet use to healthy amounts, regain control over the compulsive urges to use the internet, and address underlying stressors and conflicts in the teens’ lives which has led them to their addiction.

In order for adolescents’ to gain insight into the unhealthy, compulsive nature of their addiction, they must first significantly decrease, or even temporarily stop, internet use.  Once the teens are no longer acting on their urges to go on the internet, they can acknowledge and evaluate what the urges are, and what triggers them.  Throughout this process, therapists support the adolescents to learn what their sources of stress are, such as problems in school or difficulties at home.  In some instances, teens might also be suffering from symptoms of Depression or Anxiety, possibly as a result of an undiagnosed Co-Occurring Disorder.  While working with teens to evaluate their stressors in life, they can also teach them healthy coping mechanisms to implement in their lives instead of retreating, such as meditation and breathing techniques.  Within Adolescent Internet Addiction Treatment, therapists work with teens not only to stop the negative behaviors, but also implement new ones, such as helping the teens to incorporate new healthy activities and/or practices in their lives.  All of these different aspects of treatment become resources for the teens to draw upon, in times which they might need to alleviate stress, address a difficult issue, and/or remain present, despite the urge to disengage and avoid.  It’s through this combination of efforts that Adolescent Internet Addiction Treatment can become a process through which teens grow mentally and socially, as they learn skills to remain engaged in their world, even amidst present obstacles.

About the author – Robert Hunt is a recovering addict of 20 years.  He has devoted his life to helping others suffering from chemical addictions as well as mental health challenges.  Robert maintains many blogs on drug addiction, eating disorders and depression.  He is a sober coach and wellness advocate and a prominent figure in the recovery community.
Follow me on Twitter @RecoveryRobert