Commentary One: Speaking of Meditation and Computer and Internet Addiction
By hungrybritain
[The following commentary was written in response to Speaking of Meditation and Computer and Internet Addiction]
Aug 6, 2008 – I have been increasingly troubled by my internet addiction. At first it didn’t seem so much as an addiction as an enjoyable pastime then slowly but surely I began to see even the most menial task on the Net as having way too much importance in my life. While spending more than 10 hours a day on the Internet I began to realise that actually I could only get less than half the things done that I used to. Productivity and work are all suffering not to mention my relationship with my wife.
Trouble is I know I need some sort of help but am at a loss for what to do? I tried looking at professional psychiatric help for addictions but I don’t know if I am using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. And it takes way too much time and costs way above my means. I have also tried scouring the net and managed to pick up a lot of reading material such as Dr Young work on the subject which has been quite helpful and detailed. I also came across a neat piece of software which automatically stops you from surfing too long on specific sites which has been rather good at stopping me being addicted for too long you can find this product at http://www.internetandaddiction.com/ well worth a try. But the fact remains that this problem has not been taken seriously enough by the people who really matter i.e. the ISP and Major Internet players for obvious reasons you might think but isn’t it about time they did ??
Would love to know how others cope with the same issues and what people think of Dr Kimberly Young suggestions and the software mentioned above.
I use a schedule approach. I know that I have so much time and schedule periods of time either by writing it down and by watching the clock. You have to be disciplined. If you are going to be on the net between 1 and 3 be loyal to that time period. And then schedule another time period during the evening say between 8 and 10 for example. Set an alarm clock if that helps. It merely takes discipline. Reward yourself for being faithful to your time periods. Then schedule your other responsibilities around the net times. Anything can be an addiction if you let it control you; just like TV, drugs, alcohol, etc. The secret is you controlling it.
Do you believe for an alcoholic it “merely takes discipline,” and that he or she should keep trying to acquire the skill of drinking per a set schedule?
I’ve found an ISP, BMI.NET Internet Services, that offers plans of 12, 20, 360 hours a month. I notice the 20 hours/mo plan isn’t listed on their site, but that’s what I signed up for today. It’s a hard cap, so instead of the ISP charging for your time over your plan amount, it gets shut off automatically.
After I signed up, I found out BMI’s hard cap was broke, giving me unlimited access. I eventually cancelled with them and switched to 24/7 DSL.
Now two weeks later, I know that being awake and on the computer for two consecutive weeks is a bad idea. I better get up now and grab some water and check voice mail.