In today’s world, technology is essential, making it hard to avoid internet use. However, if screen time starts causing problems, it might indicate an internet addiction. The mental effects of this addiction are similar to those of other types of addiction. Tolerance may develop where people need more internet use to feel normal. If they try to stop, they may also face some withdrawal symptoms.
At The Orchid, we provide a comprehensive treatment programme to help people recover from this condition and learn strategies to effectively manage its symptoms.
What Is Internet Addiction?
Internet addiction is a condition defined by an overwhelming reliance on the internet. Like other behavioural issues, this compulsive engagement can result in considerable disruptions across multiple areas of an individual’s life. Those affected by internet addiction often dedicate excessive hours to online activities, frequently neglecting essential daily responsibilities such as parenting, work obligations, social interactions, and certain leisure pursuits.
In addition, individuals with internet addiction often experience preoccupation with thoughts of internet use and frequently anticipate their next online session. Over time, they may need to spend increasing amounts of time online to feel satisfied. This can lead to deceptive behaviour, as individuals may lie to others to hide the extent of their internet use. When attempting to stop, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, mood swings, or even depression.
Internet Addiction Treatment In Thailand
The Internet has gained popularity among people of all ages, genders, and cultures. However, some users develop excessive and uncontrolled habits that lead to psychological issues or internet addiction. To address this growing concern, professionals have created various treatment options to help individuals manage their symptoms. Talk therapy is a key part of treating internet addiction, with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) being a common approach. This treatment helps people identify and change irrational thoughts about internet use and the associated unhealthy behaviours.
Medications may be prescribed to help with symptoms of underlying mental health issues and to manage intrusive thoughts about internet use. Studies have shown that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like escitalopram and anxiolytics for anxiety disorders can help reduce symptoms of internet addiction and decrease the time they spend online. The goal of internet addiction treatment is to establish boundaries and balance in internet use rather than to eliminate it.
Why Choose Us For Internet Addiction Treatment
Choosing the right Internet addiction rehab or treatment centre is crucial in promoting long-term recovery, maintaining sobriety, and preventing relapse. At Orchid, we provide various modalities that suit our patients’ needs. Here’s what sets it apart from other treatment facilities.
Aftercare Programmes
An aftercare programme is crucial for people recovering from internet addiction because it helps keep the progress made in rehab. Our addiction treatment centre offers a personalised plan to prevent relapse, along with support groups and ongoing therapy sessions. This organized support helps you transition from the intensive care of rehab, allowing you to regain your independence while staying committed to your recovery.
Specialized Care
Addiction is a complex problem that is often comorbid with mental health issues, where one can make the other worse. If you have a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, or trauma, you may be facing a dual diagnosis. At Orchid, we offer specialized care for dual diagnosis treatment, helping our patients tackle both conditions at the same time.
State-Of-The-Art-Facilities
It is crucial to ensure that the treatment options provided at the rehabilitation centre meet your specific needs and preferences. Orchid facilities are tailored to deliver outstanding comfort, allowing individuals to focus solely on their recovery from substance and process addictions. These facilities make it easier for clients to unplug from the internet.
Programs To Foster Personal Growth
Our rehab centre offers different evidence-based therapy options for internet addiction. This includes individual therapy, group therapy, and family counselling sessions. These services can boost self-esteem, support personal growth, provide educational insights about mental health, and help build coping skills to prevent relapse.
Holistic Wellness Approach
One key feature of Orchid is our dedication to a holistic wellness approach. This approach includes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health as essential parts of the recovery journey. By addressing the whole person, the holistic method encourages a complete and balanced recovery process. This can include activities like physical exercise, mindfulness and meditation, nutritional help, and spiritual support. By nurturing all aspects of wellness, individuals are better equipped to manage their recovery and achieve lasting sobriety.
Personalised Treatment Approach
Our team understands that each person’s journey with internet addiction is unique and influenced by many factors. This understanding helps us develop personalised treatment plans. These plans focus on the specific challenges and needs of each individual, fostering a sense of control and empowerment while improving overall health.
Addiction Treatment
Aside from treatment for internet addiction and mental health conditions, Orchid also provides various interventions for substance use disorders, which include:
Detox
Detoxification serves as the initial phase for numerous individuals when they enter a treatment facility or rehabilitation program. Through medically supervised detox, our healthcare professionals can effectively address potential acute withdrawal symptoms and cravings, thereby minimising the risk of complications.
Residential Treatment
A residential treatment program assists individuals facing challenges related to substance or process addictions. These programs generally offer continuous support and care, encompassing medical supervision, counselling services, educational resources, and therapeutic interventions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a method aimed at helping individuals recognize harmful behaviours and emotions. Therapists specializing in CBT assist those with substance use issues to identify and change their negative thoughts and unhealthy behaviours associated with substance use. CBT also helps them find healthy ways of coping with stress, triggers, and cravings.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is a brief, client-focused counselling method that assists individuals in dealing with their ambivalent feelings about making changes. It can support people in reducing or quitting drug and alcohol use by helping them find their reasons for wanting to stop.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Treatment for alcohol problems encompasses a range of comprehensive interventions overseen by a team of specialists in addiction and mental health. The process starts with detoxification and may include residential care, followed by various aftercare initiatives.
Types of Internet Addiction
Internet addiction can show up in various ways. It often involves spending excessive time on different online activities and browsing the web. Some of the common types include:
Internet Gaming Addiction
Gaming addiction, also known as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), is a condition characterized by problematic gaming habits. This includes playing online games excessively, losing control over gaming time, and prioritizing gaming over other important activities. As a result, gaming can interfere with personal life, family relationships, education, work, and social interactions, leading to various negative effects.
Cybersex Addiction
This condition is characterized by a strong urge to frequently use online porn or explicit content on different sites. Individuals with cybersex addiction spend a lot of time on online sexual activities to find sexual pleasure and satisfaction. This can sometimes overlap with sex addiction.
Net Compulsions
Net compulsions are online activities that involve interaction, such as gambling, stock trading, and excessive online shopping. These behaviours can significantly affect a person's finances and interfere with work responsibilities. Losing or spending too much money can create stress in relationships as well. The Internet offers quick access to online casinos and shops, making it easy for those prone to gambling or shopping to become addicted.
Cyber-Relationship Addiction
Individuals experiencing this type of internet addiction often exhibit an overwhelming compulsion to incessantly seek out and engage with information across multiple online platforms. They frequently monitor news websites, social media channels, and other digital sources for updates, which can lead to detrimental effects on their daily routines.
Negative Effects Of Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is associated with negative consequences that arise from excessive and compulsive use of the Internet. This condition can lead to various harmful effects on both physical and mental health which may include but are not limited to:
Social Isolation
The internet offers avenues for virtual engagement, but it also impacts real-life interactions. Individuals who become dependent on the internet frequently withdraw from face-to-face social activities, opting instead to participate in online communities.
As individuals spend more time online, they may find themselves increasingly isolated from friends and family. A continuous absence of social interaction can alter brain chemistry and negatively affect physical health as well.
Neglecting Responsibilities
Excessive use of the internet can negatively impact performance in both professional and academic settings, as individuals find it challenging to manage their online engagements alongside their obligations. This often results in missed deadlines, lower-quality work, and frequent distractions during critical tasks.
As internet usage becomes a priority, personal hygiene and grooming may also be overlooked. Individuals might forgo showers, wear the same outfits multiple days in a row, or neglect basic cleanliness. This decline in self-care is frequently a consequence of spending too much time online, which limits the opportunity for personal upkeep.
Sleep Problems
Using the internet late at night and spending too much time on screens before sleeping can disturb our sleep. Activities like checking social media, sending emails, or reading the news can keep us awake.
Almost all types of light from gadgets can disrupt our body’s natural rhythms, which can lead to problems in our sleep-wake cycle. Specifically, blue light from electronic devices has the strongest effect on sleep. It activates areas in the brain that make us feel awake, making it hard to relax when it’s time for bed.
Get Help And Begin Your Rehab At Orchid
Excessive technology use can cause both physical and mental health issues. Internet addiction affects all aspects of life, making it difficult for people to function.
If someone you care about is struggling with computer addiction, we can help them manage their symptoms and assist them in reclaiming their mental wellness. Visit Orchid’s page today to learn about our various treatment options.