The American Psychological Association still has doubts if the Internet addiction exists but it looks pretty much for real in this Google video:
"Don't work so hard." Link to original video, choose "Put on site" to to embed this video onto a your web page.
According to The New York Times, Internet addiction affects 10 percent of the web users in the U.S. The so-called "Onlineaholics" spend endless hours surfing the web to the point that their Internet activity disturbs their daily life.
A growing number of therapists are treating web addicts with the 12-step programs, used to treat chemical addictions.
The condition is not officially recognized as a psychiatric disorder and insurance companies do not pay for treatment.
The University of Massachusetts, Lowell has more information on the Internet addiction disorder:
- Take an Internet Addiction Survey Online
- Symptoms of Internet overuse and addiction
Check out the Center for Online and Internet Addiction for more information.
Hooked on the Web: Help Is on the Way. NYTimes, published: December 1, 2005
Is Internet addiction real? American Psychological Association
Getting Entangled By Your Computer Use? UMASS Lowell
Internet addiction disorder. Wikipedia
Is Internet addiction a real problem? ArsTechnica.com