Introduction
In psychology, addiction put in simple terms is dependency on substance or behavior. Dependency here is taken to imply an individual will do something to the extent of interfering with normal life functions; moreover, no matter how he/she tries to quit this action or behavior, he/she encounters difficulties.
Historically, addiction was taken to imply dependency on psychoactive substances; however, in contemporary times psychologists consider including things like pornography, work, computers, and gambling among others in the definition of addiction.
Maressa Hecht Orzack comes in at this point where she introduces computer addiction by claiming it is addiction just like any other addiction; for instance, alcohol addiction. Maressa’s definition that, computer addiction is an accurate description of what goes on when people spend large amount of time working on computers or online is true, timely, and ‘accurate’ and the writer of this paper strongly agrees with these claims.
What Is It?
In her paper, Drug Addiction, What Is It? Maressa brings in a deep analysis of what she perceives as a new trend of addiction, ‘computer addiction.’ Psychologists agree that addiction is a ‘hiding place’ where people resort when under pressure or when running from something in their lives say, a duty or one’s past.
Similarly, those caught in this newfound addiction have boldly confessed to be running from something in their lives. For instance, Maressa opens her paper by confessing she almost fell into this addiction; reason, she was running from her anger and inability to understand a new computer program manual, something that led her to escape to solitaire.
The habit of finding reprieve in something more interesting and pleasing in trying times is common with human nature. People tend to evade the reality, choosing to live their own lives as they find convenient. Unfortunately, fantasy does not mimic reality; sooner, these people find themselves at the point where they started with unmet obligations. Probably, Maressa had to face the reality of learning the computer programs with patience and persistence.
Taking a closer look into the events of addicts according to classical definition of addiction, one realizes a common factor, excessive use, and dependence on a substance. Maressa draws from this observation when she notes, “I concluded that this inappropriate and excessive use of the computer might be a distinct disorder” (Orzack, 1998).
Note the words she uses; ‘inappropriate,’ and ‘excessive’ and this fits well in the classical definition of ‘addiction’ as aforementioned. Moreover, in spite of knowing the debilitating effects of this behavior, the affected people compulsively continue practicing it, implying they have no control over themselves; hence dependency. In another case presented, by Maressa, Patient D resorted to computer games running away from her car wreckage.
This goes back to the initial argument that addicts are ever running from something in their lives. Maressa notes that people are hooked to computers because they derive some form of satisfaction and pleasure from it. This satisfaction and pleasure leads one to spend unusually more time on computer hence addiction. Nevertheless, there has been controversy concerning this issue; fortunately, Maressa offers a way out.
Maressa notes categorically that there is thin line between productive use of computer and addiction. However, she is quick to point out even productive practices may turn addictive. For instance, she cites a group of people working on developing new computer hardware.
These people excluded themselves from normal lives, spending most of their time in laboratory, something that affected their social lives with regard to family and friends. Even though this practice was productive, it led to addiction and this qualifies Maressa’s definition of addiction. Unfortunately, computer usage is becoming inevitable with the revolution that information technology is causing in all life practices. What is the way out of this quagmire? Maressa offers insight to this issue by comparing it with eating disorder.
Feeding is inevitable and there is no way individuals can abstain from eating even those addicted. Nevertheless, these individuals can adopt healthy feeding habits; similarly, computer addicts can adopt healthy computer usage practices with help of professionals to overcome their addiction. Therefore, Maressa’s observation on computer addiction is correct given that, it shares most factors with other known forms of addiction.
Conclusion
Computer addiction as Maressa defines it is an accurate description of what goes on when people spend large amount of time working on computers or online. Based on knowledge from earlier studies on addiction, this definition fits in clearly. Classical definition of addiction considered addiction as dependency on substance use characterized by continued and compulsive use of drugs.
Based on this observation, the key words here are ‘continued’ and ‘compulsive’ and when applied in computer usage, these terms qualify such a practice abusive. Maressa gives a detailed account of how people in the past have used computer to hide from life realities thus being hooked including her experience in 1995 when she was trying to run from studying new computer programs. Therefore, Maressa’s definition of ‘computer addiction’ is true and precise.
Reference List
Orzack, M. H. (1998). Computer Addiction. What Is It? Psychiatric Times. Web.