Are You Becoming an Internet Addict?

With the present economic climate being as it is, many start-up entrepreneurs have been attracted online with the lure of easy money. The chance to make their fortune on the Internet.

Many of these people are desperate to start making money from home and break free from the "rat race". Ironically this desperation has given rise to a new compulsion:

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)

If you think you might be suffering from Internet addiction there are some warning signs you should look out for:

A preoccupation with the Internet while offline.
A constant anticipation of the next online session
Lying about the extent of use to others.
Using the Internet to escape problems or relieve a bad mood
Keep using after spending too much money on online fees

Generally those who get trapped in this syndrome get caught up in the biz ops game and end up in the situation where they jump from one opportunity to another in an endless quest for something easier, faster, or potentially more rewarding.

For compulsive users, their whole life becomes the Internet.

In fact this one has many of the symptoms of other more "normal" addictions! So much so that Alcoholics Anonymous has considered setting up a separate division of their organization to work with people addicted to browsing the Internet.

Internet addiction disorder, as a diagnosis, is still in its infancy, however, there are, ironically, a few online resources available to help sufferers wean themselves from the Internet. Here are some:

The Center for On-Line Addiction (COLA), which offers counselling, consulting and training. They have set up a website where there are resources that include online counselling, articles, FAQs, and self-help tests.

Internet Addiction Support Group
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Center for Online Addiction

Mental Health Net: Online Addiction

So, what should you do if you find yourself becoming a victim of this new electronic addiction?

First, don't panic. Second, consider sitting down with a pencil and notepad -- and doing some good, old-fashioned brainstorming!

My advice is to get