Internet addiction treatment and help

The internet has become a key feature of modern day life, and we spend time online for a whole plethora of reasons including for work, when socialising, and for our own personal use. However, for some people, their internet use can become compulsive and damaging, and the amount of time that they spend online can have a detrimental impact on their life.

The increasing ease and accessibility of browsing the internet means that it is now possible to spend time online using devices which can fit in your pocket or even on your wrist. While this increased connectivity is associated with multiple benefits, including being able to keep in touch with friends, read the latest news, and access information at the click of a button, it has made it increasingly easy to fall into the trap of compulsive internet usage, whether this is using social networking sites, shopping, gambling, watching pornography or gaming.

In addition, accessibility to the internet has undergone massive advancement in recent years, and the internet is often a key necessity in households and workplaces up and down the country. In addition, it is now easier than ever to browse online anywhere, anytime via smartphones and handheld devices, thus making it increasingly difficult to be able to switch off.

When internet usage becomes a problem

It can be entirely normal and healthy to use the internet for a wide range of reasons and activities. However, for some, the virtual worlds that they become immersed in may become more important than spending quality time with friends and family, and people can find that they become anxious and irritable when they are unable to obtain access to the internet. If you find that logging on becomes compulsive or is starting to interfere with your wellbeing, relationships with others and performance at work, this may suggest that you have developed a problem with internet addiction.

Despite the fact that the difficulties associated with compulsive internet use can be far-reaching, internet addiction is entirely treatable and it’s possible for you to make a full recovery. Our highly experienced team at Life Works are able to provide evidence-based, specialist treatment for internet addiction; we are committed to helping you every step of the way towards overcoming your internet addiction symptoms and taking steps towards a healthier and more fulfilling way of life.

Whilst it may seem like a daunting prospect, the most important first step towards starting your road to recovery is to seek help. In order to make this process as smooth and straightforward as possible, Life Works is pleased to offer a free assessment to all of our prospective clients. This will take place with a member of our team and provides you with the chance to discuss your unique difficulties, explore any questions or concerns that you have about treatment and begin to develop an understanding of the addiction recovery journey, all within a confidential, compassionate and highly supportive setting.

We use a broad range of tried and tested therapeutic techniques in the internet addiction treatment process, all of which are delivered as part of our comprehensive programme of individual and group therapy. We don’t just treat the manifesting symptoms of your compulsive internet use; we will also work with you to help you to identify the underlying triggers and causes for your internet addiction, and provide you with the tools to cope with your urges moving forwards.

Bespoke counselling and therapy for internet addiction

As a client at Life Works, you will benefit from a high quality treatment experience, which ensures that your individual needs are met. Furthermore, our beautiful centre, complete with welcoming en-suite bedrooms, stylish living areas and expansive private gardens, really does provide a tranquil retreat in which you can relax, unwind and focus on your wellbeing.

If timely treatment is not sought for your internet addiction, this can become gradually worse over time and continue to have a devastating effect on multiple areas of your life. As well as having a detrimental impact on your general health and wellbeing, compulsive internet use can also cause untold problems at work, as well as problems in your relationships. In addition, your destructive browsing habits may also increase your susceptibility to developing other compulsive behaviours, especially those which involve gambling, shopping, gaming and pornography, as all of these can be accessed online. It could also lead you to fall into the trap of misusing substances such as alcohol and drugs.

Internet addiction treatment at Life Works

Internet addiction is treated at Life Works as part of our intensive 28-day addiction treatment programme. During this time, you will stay at our centre in Woking, Surrey, on a residential basis and receive a comprehensive programme of therapy to help you to overcome your compulsive online behaviours and take steps towards recovery. Life Works clients will also benefit from a ‘digital detox’, whereby access to the internet and your various devices will be limited during the day whilst you’re receiving therapy. Twenty eight days is the recommended treatment time for addictions, but we are also able to consider flexible treatment lengths, if appropriate.

Our specialist internet addiction treatment programme is underpinned by the world-renowned 12-Step addiction treatment approach.

Our internet addiction treatment programme:

• Free addiction assessment - book your appointment today
• Structured group therapy and individual 1:1 therapy programmes
• Access to 12-Step support groups
• Free aftercare for 12 months, following treatment

For more information on the internet addiction treatment that we offer at Life Works, as well as the type of therapy that is involved, please visit our approach to addiction treatment page.

This page was reviewed by Robin Clayton, Primary Therapist, (BACP, ATSAC) in September 2021.