It was recently published that a new treatment center has opened in Pennsylvania to treat internet addiction.
“The program is designed to accommodate four patients at a time, who all begin and end their treatment on the same day. The addicts’ 10-day stay begins with a 72-hour “digital detox,” followed by a full psychological evaluation.”
We are now treating the internet like drugs and alcohol. Is this going to far? Are we allowing people to be taken advantage in the name of “medicine”.
Adam J Stark 
I think those treatment centers are necessary for highly addicted people. I know a lot of people whose life style has changed to an unproductive and valueless one because of Facebook and mobile apps! Using Internet needs a specific culture, otherwise it will be a disadvantage for people’s life rather than an advantage! Normal addicts don’t need a treatment center. What they need is TIME and INFORMATION in order to learn this culture!
It is not a simple issue. Internet addiction is not officially recognized as a psych disorder, but it is listed in the DSM-V for further study. We do know that information addiction is real, even though not recognized as a medical condition that would be covered by health insurance. So these people pay for their own treatment.
As Eli mentioned, there are people whose lives have been significantly altered by Internet addiction – just like alcohol addiction. So, we should not be that quick to judge.
That being said, that “interent” addiction mentioned in your title – I have not heard of it. 😉
Thank you for the spelling error catch. I have corrected it.
I think you bring up an interesting point. However, I am glad to see that we are recognizing that more than drugs and alcohol can be addictive. In my mind, addiction is addiction no matter what you are addicted to (shopping, porn, alcohol, drugs, the internet, email, caffeine, and so much more).
oh! and I like your new blog look!