Treatment Centers

Cellphones, social media and the Internet provide too much of a draw for American college students. A recent Washington Post piece focused on a new study that showed these students are experiencing symptoms similar to drug and alcohol addictions, yet their drug is technology-based.

University of Maryland researchers asked 200 students to give up all media for one day. After 24 hours, many of these students showed signs of withdrawal, craving and anxiety along with an inability to function well without their media and social links. Students were asked to blog about their experiences.

"I clearly am addicted and the dependency is sickening," said one student participating in the study. "Between having a Blackberry, a laptop, a television, and an iPod, people have become unable to shed their media skin."

Journalism professor, Susan Moeller, the study’s project director, noted many of the students equated losing their media connections to going without friends and family. Students complained most often about their need to use text messages, instant messages, e-mail and Facebook.

"Texting and IM-ing my friends gives me a constant feeling of comfort," wrote one of the students. "When I did not have those two luxuries, I felt quite alone and secluded from my life."

According to the American Psychiatric Association, there is no so-called Internet addiction as a disorder. This lack of inclusion is continuously challenged as more and more individuals are showing signs of addiction.

One example includes a couple in South Korea who reportedly neglected their three-month-old daughter. The infant died of malnutrition, ignored by her parents who were on the computer as much as 12 hours a day raising a virtual child.

A private center has been opened in the United States. ReSTART, located near Redmond, Washington, exists to treat individuals who excessively use the Internet, video gaming and texting.