In the realm of addictions, Internet addiction is a fairly new phenomenon, as Internet access has only been widespread for the past ten to fifteen years. However, this addiction has the potential to develop into an even more serious problem than other addictions like alcohol and drugs because of the prevalence of internet access—nowadays, most people have access at home, school and work; indeed, their jobs and studies may actually require them to spend several hours a day on the Internet.

In an article from the journal CyberPsychology and Behavior, researchers from Michigan State University, Ohio State University and Cleveland State University explain the phenomenon: “Internet addiction…is a form of impulse control disorder ostensibly similar to addictions identified with conventional mass media such as television, but potentially more serious….Excessive internet usage intrudes at work, school and play, changing personal, family and business relationships.” (Song, Larose, Eastin, Lin, 2004) These researchers determined that Internet addiction is caused by the instant gratification factor. People achieve gratification from the Internet in one or more of seven different areas: “Virtual community, information seeking, aesthetic experience, monetary compensation, diversion, personal status, and relationship maintenance.”   (Ibid.) These are all positives in themselves but when a person seeks them out to such an extent that they begin to ignore other areas of their life, it becomes an addiction that needs to be treated like any other addiction.

Fortunately, there is a readily available tool to help with Internet addiction: hypnosis. Hypnosis is a successful form of treatment for Internet addiction precisely because it is effective in the area of impulse control. The book Brief Cognitive Hypnosis: Facilitating the Change of Dysfunctional Behavior, a guidebook for hypnosis practitioners written by two board-certified clinicians,states that “self-hypnosis, among other things, is a way of communicating with one’s unconscious or inner mind. Most individuals do not consciously know how to appropriately communicate with their own unconscious mind.” (Zarren, Eimer, Springer Publishing Company, 2001) In other words, the Internet addict may tell himself or herself, “I don’t need to check my e-mail forty times a day,” but unless the impulse from the subconscious mind is dealt with, he or she won’t be able to resist.

Vladimir Bernik, MD, the former Chairman of Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santos, Brazil and currently on the faculty of the State University of Campinas, Brazil, explains, “The control of impulses is another excellent area of use for hypnotherapy. It has been shown to have a great value for the treatment of behavioral disturbances dependent on impulse control.” (Bernik, 1997) This article was written before Internet addiction became a widespread problem, but Bernik specifies that eating disorders, sexual addiction, gambling problems, alcoholism, smoking and drug addiction can all be effectively treated with hypnosis because of its ability to control impulses. It is safe to assume that if hypnosis is effective on addictions to which there is a biological component like drug addiction, it will also be very helpful in the treatment of a phenomenon like Internet addiction, which is solely a problem of impulse control.

As the University of California at San Diego’s website states, “Hypnosis is a powerful tool for changing emotional and behavioral patterns.” (extension.ucsd.edu/studyarea/index.cfm?vAction=singleCourse&vCourse=GINT-81486) Hypnosis controls impulses by appealing to your emotions through your subconscious. The need for instant gratification therefore evaporates and is replaced with healthier behavioral patterns. 

Lots of people joke about Internet addiction, but it’s a problem with potentially serious consequences. Fortunately, hypnosis is a readily available tool to combat it that is both cost-efficient and effective.