Overcoming Internet Addiction For Dummies. David N. Greenfield

stands alone. If you’re unfamiliar with this subject, then jump in and start at Chapter 1; the book is written to build on basic information and concepts, then onto application, and lastly, implementation.

      The order of the book presents progressively more interrelated information, such as Chapter 2 on the biology of addiction, Chapter 5 on social media, and Chapter 7 on video games and video game addiction. Part 3 of the book offers information on diagnosis, followed by Part 4, which focuses on living a balanced life with proper screen use.

      I want to clarify the perspective from which I write this book. I’ve conducted research and published in the field of Internet, video game, and technology addiction and its treatment, as well as workplace Internet issues and smartphones and driving, but I still consider myself primarily a clinician. This book is written from a scientifically informed clinical perspective; I’ve treated or consulted with hundreds of individuals over the last 25 years, many with significant life impacts related to their Internet, video game, and screen use. Numerous references throughout the book will represent my opinions based on these clinical experiences, some of which should be considered anecdotal and case based. I don’t represent that everything stated in the book has been scientifically validated, as frankly, we’re not quite at that point in the science of the diagnosis and treatment of Internet-related disorders.

      A word about addiction: Please note that this is discussed at numerous points throughout the book, but I want to start by clarifying that the word addiction is perhaps not the best term per se. My approach tends to follow the definition of addiction offered by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, which is deeply clinical in nature. This definitional distinction may seem odd because the word addiction is used throughout this text, as well as in the fields of clinical psychology, psychiatry, and addiction medicine; however, I’m using this label throughout the book because it’s the term that most of us understand and relate to when describing the complex biopsychosocial phenomenon that produces something we define as addiction (see Chapters 1 and 2).

With specific regard to Internet and technology addiction, no scientific agreement currently exists on what the final diagnostic labels will be. It is my best guess, based on the state of the research and clinical trends (including those established by the World Health Organization, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association), that the final diagnoses beyond Internet gaming disorder may include a variety of Internet-mediated use disorders that would involve symptoms of abuse and overuse of Internet-based screen technologies. This would be similar to the current diagnostic labeling that we see with alcohol and substance use disorders. Internet use disorders will probably follow suit and will most likely include several diagnoses that overlap or may be related to a specific type of content or Internet portal.

      A quick note: Sidebars (shaded boxes of text) dig into the details of a given topic, but they aren’t crucial to understanding it. Feel free to read them or skip them. You can also pass over the text accompanied by the Technical Stuff icon, as it offers some interesting but nonessential information about Internet addiction.

      Finally, within this book, you may note that some web addresses break across two lines of text. If you’re reading this book in print and want to visit one of these web pages, simply key in the web address exactly as it’s noted in the text, pretending the line break doesn’t exist. If you’re reading this as an ebook, you’ve got it easy — just click the web address to be taken directly to the web page.

Foolish Assumptions

      Here are some assumptions about you, the reader, and why you are picking up this book now:

       You or someone you love may be spending far too much time on one or more screens, and you’ve noticed the impact that this behavior has on you, on them, or on both of you.

       You or your loved one are finding the Internet almost too enjoyable (or certainly captivating), and at times you find yourself lost in the bits and bytes of cyberspace — so much so that at times, you lose track of time and also of your larger goals, values, and desires.

       You want to change your relationship to this useful, but addictive, technology, or you would like to see your children or loved one regain some balance and perspective about their screens. Perhaps surfing, social media, YouTube, pornography, video games, or never putting down their (or your) smartphone has become less tolerable and may even seem harmful at this point.

       You, just like myself, see the unavoidable pull of the Internet and screens. You recognize that you need to use them, but that perhaps you recognize that you do not need to use them in the manner you currently do, and you’d like to achieve a more mindful, moderated, and sustainable way to live with your Internet screen technologies, as opposed to living for them.

       You know that the Internet and accessible screens are not going anywhere, and that if anything, they will become even more prevalent and intrusive. You also see that this is not all positive and that too much of a good thing is not a good thing, and you must exercise your choice and ability to limit your screen use.

Icons Used in This Book

      Like all For Dummies books, this book features icons to help you navigate the information. Here is what they mean.

      

If you take away anything about Internet addiction from this book, it should be the information marked with this icon.

      

This icon flags information that delves a little broader or deeper than usual into Internet addiction.

      

This icon highlights especially helpful advice about understanding, diagnosing, or treating Internet addiction.

      

This icon points out situations and actions to avoid as you work to overcome Internet addiction.

Beyond the Book

      In addition to the material in the print or ebook you’re reading right now, this product comes with some access-anywhere goodies on the web. Check out the free Cheat Sheet for information on Internet addiction basics, reasons why the Internet is addictive, diagnosing and treating an Internet addiction, and living a balanced life that includes the proper amount of screen use.

      To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Overcoming Internet Addiction For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.

Where to Go from Here

      As I mention earlier, you don’t have to read this book from cover to cover, but if you’re motivated to do so, and you want to have a thorough immersion in the subject, starting from the beginning is a good idea. If you just want to find specific information and then get back to work, look at the table of contents or the index, and then dive into the chapter or section that interests you. Sampling a topic can help you see where you might want to delve in further.