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May of 1998. My husband and I had purchased our first computer. Without a clue, we were following step by step the instructions to start an internet connection for the first time. After what felt like hours, finally those odd dial-up beeping sounds which made me giggle at first, confirmed that a connection was succesfully established. Within seconds I found myself addicted...

The world was at my fingertips... I could type anything in the search engine browser box and pages and pages of information were displayed in front of my eyes. The sensation was like no other. I felt exhilirated and powerful. I finally could gather all sort of information without stepping out of the door. I could find the cause of my recent coughing spells, browse aimlessly for things to buy or look for that special recipe I have so long looked for.

There was much more than that. The Internet really offered much more than access to simple information. I was able to search for jobs, connect with distant friends, purchase products from foreign countries and watch the latest news. A decade and more later, I am still here with my fingers stuck on the keyboard.

Actually, to tell the truth the addiction has worsened. I think Helium (sorry to say) is what made it worse. Writing articles over and over has caused me to spend much more hours on the Internet than I really should. Then add some earnings won through contests and advertisement share and I think I got to a point of no return. Here are some helpful signs that may help you figure out if your addicted to the Internet.

Signs You Are Addicted to the Internet

1) You start browsing or typing and shortly thereafter realize that it is already lunch time. The idea of preparing dinner or eating feels like a major nuisance. Sometimes you may wish you could have an IV line to take care of your nutritional requirements.

2) You are lost when your service provider is down. You may be wandering around the house aimlessly hoping the connection is quickly restored.

3) Your friends keep calling you to go out but you really feel like there is much more to see and do on the Internet. Your close ones may state that you are distant.

4) You are frustrated when the connection gets slow. It irritates you considerable and you consider switching provider.

5) You become slightly asocial. You feel like you can connect online with your family and friends rather than actually meeting them.

6) Interruptions frustrate you. The phone rings and you get irritated, somebody knocks on the door and you feel like not wanting to go, bathroom breaks feel like a hassle.

7) Your T.V set has become a thing of the past. It is full of dust and more like a conversation piece than anything else.

8) You sleep less hours than you used to. Time flies beyond your eyes and when once you used to go to bed at 10 now you go to bed past 2AM.

9) You fall asleep on your keyboard rather than in your comfortable bed.

10) You wake up in the morning and your first thought is to connect your computer to the Internet. The simple thought makes you happy and you believe that the Internet is the best thing that happened in your life.

There are also sub- addictions inside an Internet addiction. These are those individuals addicted to gambling online, addicted to porn sites, addicted to chat rooms and addicted to Internet shopping. Internet addiction can be a serious disorder, the best remedy? Tossing away your computer and canceling your Internet service! Sounds outrageous as a solution? Then you are really addicted!

Learn more about this author, Janet Farricelli.
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