Computer Addiction or Just Modern Life?

Ant writes to tell us that ABC News has an interesting look at computer addiction and what it might take to be considered addicted in today's society. From the article: "Video games and the Internet have been subject to suspicion since the computer became a household fixture. One complaint: People get sucked into spending enormous amounts of time on the computer, to the detriment of other parts of their life. But are they addicted? The answer depends on what you mean by 'addicted.' Most experts say computers are not addictive in the same sense that drugs are, but they could be on the same level as gambling."

Comments

Re:Ummm....

[drcagn]

Nevermind, the intended link is in the submitters's webpage. Here it is: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=1603466&pa ge=1&ad=true

Link to article

[syneca]

Here's the article: Computer Addiction? Nah, Probably Just Modern Life

Re:This post is a case study.

[TheGSRGuy]

Mavis Beacon is actually an obscure model they composited for the image.

Cute.

[antdude]

ScuttleMonkey messed up my submission! I submitted as:

This three page ABC News story asks millions of people worldwide spend enormous amounts of time online, but are they addicted? Video games and the Internet have been subject to suspicion since the computer became a household fixture. One complaint: People get sucked into spending enormous amounts of time on the computer, to the detriment of other parts of their life.

But are they addicted? The answer depends on what you mean by "addicted." Most experts say computers are not addictive in the same sense that drugs are, but they could be on the same level as gambling...

Seen on Blue's News.

Nope

[flyinwhitey]

First (and I'm really, REALLY tired of making this correction) there are no criteria for "addiction" because that's not a diagnosis.

The diagnoses are "abuse" or "dependence". Addiction isn't a term used by professionals anymore, but is still used in the vernacular. I wish it wasn't.

But, because I have them handy, here are the criteria for "substance abuse" and "substance dependence" as well as "pathological gambling".

DEPENDENCE

"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - IV

A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

* Substance is often taken in larger amounts or over longer period than intended
* Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
* A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain smoking), or recover from its effects
* Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of substance abuse
* Continued substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent psychological, or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by use of the substance
* Tolerance, as defined by either:
1. need for read amounts of the substance in order to achieve intoxication or desired effect; or
2. markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount
* Withdrawal, as manifested by either:
1. characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or
2. the same (or closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms"

ABUSE

"Criteria for Substance Abuse

A. A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

(1) recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household)
(2) recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use)
(3) recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct)
(4) continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of Intoxication, physical fights)

B. The symptoms have never met the criteria for Substance Dependence for this class of substance."

PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING

"A. Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

(1) is preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)
(2) needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
(3) has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
(4) is restless or irritable when attempting to cut dow