Echeburúa Enrique, de Corral Paz
Adicciones. 2010;22(2):91-5.
The Internet and virtual social networks are new technologies that have had most impact on young people and have provided many benefits to their users. However, some people become obsessed with the Internet, are unable to control their use of it, and may put their work and relationships in jeopardy. This paper addresses the issue of the maladaptive use of these technologies. Internet use and abuse are related to psychosocial variables, such as psychological vulnerability, life stress and family and social support. There are some specific risk factors for abuse of virtual social networks among young people. Certain alarm signs appear before a hobby becomes an addiction. The concept of 'Internet addiction' has been proposed as an explanation for uncontrollable and harmful use of this technology. Symptoms of excessive Internet use can be identified with the criteria used to diagnose other chemical or non-chemical addictions. Prevention strategies in both home and school settings should be implemented on the basis of behavioral risk factors and demographic characteristics. The goal of treatment for this type of addiction, unlike the case of other addictions, cannot be total abstinence, but rather controlled use. The psychological treatment of choice appears to be stimulus control and gradual exposure to Internet, followed by a cognitive-behavioral intervention in relapse prevention. There is a need for more information about young Internet abusers and about the most appropriate programs for treating them. More research is required on the enhancement of motivation for treatment and the types of brief intervention available in relation to the problematic use of Internet among young people. The implications of the present review for clinical practice and possible future research directions in this field are discussed, as well as the problems as yet unsolved.
互联网和虚拟社交网络是对年轻人影响最大的新技术，给用户带来了诸多益处。然而，一些人沉迷于互联网，无法控制自己对其的使用，可能会危及他们的工作和人际关系。本文探讨了这些技术的不适应使用问题。互联网的使用和滥用与心理社会变量有关，如心理脆弱性、生活压力以及家庭和社会支持。年轻人滥用虚拟社交网络存在一些特定的风险因素。在一种爱好变成成瘾之前会出现某些警示信号。“网络成瘾”这一概念已被提出，用于解释对这项技术的无法控制且有害的使用。过度使用互联网的症状可以用诊断其他化学或非化学成瘾所使用的标准来识别。应根据行为风险因素和人口统计学特征在家庭和学校环境中实施预防策略。与其他成瘾情况不同，这类成瘾的治疗目标不是完全戒除，而是控制使用。首选的心理治疗方法似乎是刺激控制和逐渐接触互联网，随后进行预防复发的认知行为干预。需要更多关于年轻网络滥用者以及最适合治疗他们的项目的信息。还需要更多研究来提高治疗动机以及针对年轻人互联网使用问题的简短干预类型。本文综述了对临床实践的影响以及该领域未来可能的研究方向，同时也讨论了尚未解决的问题。
