Does Addiction mean Disorder?
People of the 20th century witnessed a burst of technological advancement. It is hard to believe that people in 2006 have enough hindsight to evaluate the effects of the internet. It took society over a hundred years to truly feel the effects that slavery left on society, so why do researches believe that a conclusion can be reached right now?
Diane Wieland wrote “Computer Addiction: Implications for Nursing Psychotherapy Practice,” looking into the topic of internet addiction. Wieland describes the tendencies of internet addicts to lose control of their internet use, causing “distress and/or functional impairment.”(p.154) Some people view the internet merely as another tool for information and communication; on the other hand, the internet is a community, almost a separate world, for internet addicts. How can we define the internet as a community, yet not treat it as one?
Wieland compares internet addiction to alcohol addiction, which is comparing an apple and an orange. Addictions that rely on substances to feel a sort of “high,” are incomparable to internet addictions. Internet addicts find themselves rapped up in virtual communities, which may fill the space of what the public deems “reality.” They may be addicted to feeling like a real person belonging to a community, which is not wrong. Robert Kraut et al. discussed the results of two studies, both showing that follow-ups reported generally more positive consequences of the internet then the first part of the studies. Kraut et al. also discussed the tendencies for introverts and extroverts using the internet. Extroverts broadened their social networks both on and off line, whereas introverts did not. It is possible that the internet draws introverts because of its medium. Virtual communities may replace “real communities” and internet addicts may prefer virtual communities to reality, which is not so hard to believe.
Barry Wellman and Milena Gulia discuss the relationships people form on the internet, and how similar or dissimilar they are to “real-life” relationships. Weak ties are abundant on the internet. Wellman and Gulia wrote, “Willingness to communicate with strangers online contrasts with in-person situations where bystanders are often reluctant to intervene and help strangers.”(p.341) It is in virtual communities, filled with weak ties, where introverts may come to life. Each human desires and needs different levels of support, and some people may find virtual communities may better satisfy their needs then the real world around them. So while Kraut finds that extroverts extend their social networks in reality, introverts may find comfort and community in their virtual reality. Wellman and Gulia also found that strong ties can be made in virtual communities, supporting my idea that introverts replace reality with their virtual community.
If internet addicts are merely replacing reality with virtual communities, then I would not classify their addiction as a disorder. Internet addicts may not function “properly” in society as we expect people to, but they function in their community properly. Every person can think of a friend, colleague, or family member that spends more time socializing then getting work done. Aren’t internet addicts just another version of this? If we define virtual communities as a type of community, then I believe it is wrong to label internet addicts with a disorder just because their values are different then ours.