Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Internet Addicts: Treatment Outcomes and Implications

TLDR

Internet addiction is a newly recognized disorder that impairs users’ control over online activity, leading to relational, occupational, and social problems, yet empirical evidence on treatment outcomes remains scarce despite CBT being proposed as a preferred intervention. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CBT for Internet addiction by treating 114 clients at the Center for Online Addiction. A survey design assessed motivation, time management, social relationships, sexual functioning, offline engagement, and abstinence from problematic apps at sessions three, eight, twelve, and a six‑month follow‑up. Results showed that Caucasian, middle‑aged males with at least a four‑year degree were most affected, most participants achieved symptom control by the eighth session with maintenance at six months, and these outcomes can inform evidence‑based treatment protocols for Internet addiction.

Abstract

Research over the last decade has identified Internet addiction as a new and often unrecognized clinical disorder that impact a user's ability to control online use to the extent that it can cause relational, occupational, and social problems. While much of the literature explores the psychological and social factors underlying Internet addiction, little if any empirical evidence exists that examines specific treatment outcomes to deal with this new client population. Researchers have suggested using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the treatment of choice for Internet addiction, and addiction recovery in general has utilized CBT as part of treatment planning. To investigate the efficacy of using CBT with Internet addicts, this study investigated 114 clients who suffered from Internet addiction and received CBT at the Center for Online Addiction. This study employed a survey research design, and outcome variables such as client motivation, online time management, improved social relationships, improved sexual functioning, engagement in offline activities, and ability to abstain from problematic applications were evaluated on the 3rd, 8th, and 12th sessions and over a 6-month follow-up. Results suggested that Caucasian, middle-aged males with at least a 4-year degree were most likely to suffer from some form of Internet addiction. Preliminary analyses indicated that most clients were able to manage their presenting complaints by the eighth session, and symptom management was sustained upon a 6-month follow-up. As the field of Internet addiction continues to grow, such outcome data will be useful in treatment planning with evidenced-based protocols unique to this emergent client population.