alright all of you addicts.. confess !!

[sumdumguy]

who here can claim they aren't guilty ?

Web Addiction on the Rise ---August 26, 2002--- By Gretchen Hyman
Click here to see the full article

"Studies have shown that from 25 to 50 percent of cyber addiction is occurring at the workplace," said Dr. Marlene Maheu, an Internet addiction expert and CEO of Pioneer Development Resources, Inc.

"That means employees are getting paid to participate in activities that are not work-related." The survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive across a swath of 305 employees, determined that the average worker spends more than one entire workday each week surfing Web sites that are not work-related.

Among those polled, 67 percent confessed to visiting Web sites for personal reasons. Compulsive workplace shoppers claimed 24 percent of those polled. News junkies came in second at 23 percent, pornography hounds at 18 percent, gambling at 8 percent, and auctions at 6 percent.

Ok, I'll have to admit I've sinned.. but I'm a remote office guy with my own dialup so as
I'm not on the company network, I won't be getting looked at..
as for getting any REAL work done.... well... the systems get fixed but my "paperwork" is
ohhh.. just a few months behind



.

[alittlebitnumb]

I have to say I am definately a canidate for addiction, in fact, I know I am addicted and it makes me scared sometimes when I get on this thing in the wee morning and do not leave until 2-3 am. Take today; I spent a good 13 hrs. on and off.

I have tried to stay away before and it lasts only a week at BEST. When my box was down, I was out of the net AND a computer for two weeks. I thought my life was over. I had obsessive thoughts, and had shakes, nightmares and true withdrawl symptoms.

Now how do we fix it? With pills, therapy, abstinance, Internet Anonymous, or what?

I would LOVE to be free of it.

[aeallison]

I too am a "remote office guy" and most of the time I spend on the internet is right here on AO. But, my excuse is for this, (and I am sticking to it)I am on a quest for knowledge.

Ok,ok,ok!...I do spend some of my time here for entertainment, I do like to flame the lamers...

[problemchild]

Ahem.... guilty.

[Matty_Cross]

I admit it.. I'm a crack addict...

Ohhhhh, wrong room.......

/edges out of room sheepishly.... :P

I would think that I definately qualify as an addict... as long as it involves computers, its pretty sure to keep me watching.... I'm one of those people who spends about 2, maybe 3 hours a day, at best, away from the computer....

[retoor]

I can honestly say I am not addicted to the Web! This is mainly because of my lack of home connection! If I had a web connection at home, I couldn´t be moved from the chair!

[Noia]

Hi, My name is Noia, And I'm an Addict.

I'll put it like this, My computer is my Alarm clock, it's Humming put's me to sleep, it's glow is like the sun uppon my face...

um....I need to get away from this Box........SAVE ME!!

[LadyBug]

An addiction is usually any behavior that can produce a compulsive pattern, resulting in both physical and psychological dependencies. Many people have argued that the extreme use of the internet cannot be considered a physical addiction, but only psychological. I would like to point out that chemicals are released in the brain during
a pleasurable act, therefore if you're a compulsive internet user, you're experiencing a physical neurochemical dependency associated with your habit. Very similar to that of cigarrete smoking.

From a psychological point of view, in many cases, there's also substance abuse and other comorbid disorders co-existing along with internet addiction. The individual runs high risks to satisfy dependency, such as isolation, depression, loss of job and relationships. In this case, it's important that you seek help.

As an IT professional, it's impossible to keep away from the web. But moderation is the key. Keep work where it belongs and enjoy other activities when outside of the office. Also, an unsatisfied employee is anything but productive. Evaluate your situation and set your priorities.

If anyone is interested, Dr. Greenfield and Dr. Kimberly Young are probably the most experienced psychologists in this area and any of their work is worth reading.

[digitalgadfly]

I must say that the whole time I have been in Afghanistan I have been quick to finish my work and the rest of the time I am on the internet or doing some "pleasurable" computer activity. From studying to just plain browsing. Only in my case I can justify it as a morale issue A big one, approx. 13 hrs a day.
But on a more serious note, I would have to say that the article stands true in almost any profession, not just IT, where an employee has internet access.

[Dr Toker]

I am online for more than 12 hours a day..... <Stands up> My name is Dr.Toker, And Im an addict.