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Chapter I. Introduction

Internet addiction is a controversial concept. The Internet does not create a physical link between the user and the machine in which a physiological addiction can occur, as happens in instances of substance abuse. Nor does Internet use appear to generate the same type of endorphin “highs” as are found within the study of physiological addictions, such as gambling and sexual reliance. This lack of predictable, recognizable correlates to normal forms of addiction allows for dispute over whether Internet addiction actually exists. Similarly, arguments have been put forth over whether an addiction to various elements of Internet use can occur, such as an “addiction” to online games or gambling.

The nature of addiction is difficult to define: some consider a dependence upon a given stimulus to be rooted in the brain, generating a psychological dependence. The American Medical Association (AMA) suggests that the connection between a given substance and the body tends to generate addictive reactions primarily due to a physical reliance. (AMA, 2001) Others concur that addictive properties can translate to a physiological dependence, where the body develops a need to function in conjunction with the substance. Jacobs (1989) defines addiction as “a dependent state acquired over time by a predisposed person in an attempt to relieve a chronic stress condition.” A final camp argues that the nature of addiction can incorporate both mental and physical dependencies, and maintains that emotional addictions can also emerge under specific circumstances.

This latter theory of addiction provides a working definition for this paper, where:

Addiction is defined as the compulsive need for and use of something that is psychologically or physically habit- forming, characterized by tolerance and by well- defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; Being abnormally tolerant to and dependent upon a habit forming substance. (AIR, 2004)