Internet Addiction: Epidemiology, Etiology, and Treatment Considerations Dr. David Greenfield Founder and CMO, The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction , Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry University of Connecticut, School of Medicine www.virtual-addiction.com Copyright 2017. Dr. David Greenfield. All rights reserved What does this video have to about addiction to technology…? Copyright 2017. Dr. David Greenfield. All Rights Reserved. Lost in Cyberspace... • Personal/Professional Background • The Internet & Digital Media Technology, such as the Smartphone is a social-ish activity that is simultaneously socially isolating . • Can we connect and be disconnected at the same time? Copyright 2017. Dr. David Greenfield. All Rights Reserved. Technology…the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it. -Max Frisco Copyright 2017. Dr. David Greenfield. All Rights Reserved. Myths of Multitasking 1. Multitasking can reduce productivity by approximately 40-percent according to some researchers. 2. Switching from one task to another makes it difficult to tune out distractions and can cause mental blocks that can slow down your progress. 3. It multiplies amount of time that it takes to accomplish any one task. 4. Gen-D kids have false perception of being able to do multiple things at once, but studies have shown that actual comprehension of tasks is reduced by the number of open processing tasks engaged in. Copyright 2015. Dr. David Greenfield. All Rights Reserved. Life has changed: When was the last time you saw one of these? We currently have no social Electronic Etiquette…we don’t really know manage our Smartphone and Internet use: rather it seems to manage us… Copyright 2017. Dr. David Greenfield. All Rights Reserved. ASAM Short Definition of Addiction Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors. Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death. Copyright 2017. Dr. David Greenfield. All rights reserved Major Neuropathways and Brain Centers involved in Addiction. What makes us Addicted? Our Social Brain: The Neurobiology of Addiction in Psychosocial Context…90% of people who use mood altering Substances and Behaviors DO NOT get addicted!