module 6.1 treatment replies

PLEASE REPLY TO EACH PEER WITH ONE REFERENCE

NICHOLAS

I would recommend therapy, specifically cognitive behavior therapy, to begin providing treatment to Tom for his internet addiction. Due to the fact that therapy can also assist in skill development such as social skills, Tom could use those skills to meet people in person and limit his internet addiction (Hoffman & Froemke, 2007). Motivational interviewing techniques may also be useful, but given his recognition of addiction, therapy could be the starting point to determine his level of motivation to quit or wean from such intense internet use.

Because the internet is so widely used, there is almost no way in todays age to abstain from internet use. Rotgers et al (2002) discuss the moderation management technique for addictive behaviors, and that model appears to be best suited for Toms internet use. The harm reduction model can also acknowledge that internet addiction is not currently in the DSM-V, and that there is an inherent need for internet use for various aspects of everyday life. Utilizing therapy and moderation management, I believe Tom could still use the internet without guilt or negative work-life ramifications, while also honing social skills to improve in-person social events instead of just online chat rooms.

Cons of the disease model would be that there is no way to live life today without internet use, and abstaining from internet use is almost impossible. Additionally, I believe with other addictions that have documented physical ramifications, there would be no means to treat internet addiction via detoxification and inpatient care (Hoffman & Froemke, 2007).

CLEOLA

Tom seems like he is dealing with internet use that is messing up his sleep and work, but he is not totally out of control yet. I think combining harm reduction with cognitive behavioral therapy could work well for him. It is early for him to see this as a big problem, so pushing for no internet at all might not stick. Instead, focusing on cutting back the harm without forcing everything to stop right away feels more realistic.

The disease model treats addiction like a sickness that needs full abstinence. For Tom, that would mean quitting chat rooms completely, which sounds tough because online stuff is part of everyday life now. It works for really bad cases, but here it might just make him push back. Those twelve step things stress giving up and group support, based on what I read from that Center for Substance Abuse Treatment back in 1999, but Tom might not be ready to jump into that.

Harm reduction is different, it lets him ease into changes, like setting time limits online or fixing his sleep habits. The good part is it starts where he is at, so he does not feel forced. But without some rules or checking in, things might drag on slowly, I am not totally sure.

CBT stands out because it can help spot those bad thoughts about being lonely or avoiding people after his breakup. He could learn better ways to handle that. Psychotherapy might dig into the emotions from the split and build social skills too. Contingency management, where you reward good habits like sleeping on time or less screen, could help reinforce stuff. Meds are not needed yet, unless anxiety or depression shows up more.

This mix of harm reduction and therapies seems balanced for Tom, though it gets a bit messy figuring out the details. Some approaches push hard for no use at all, others ease in, and the difference matters depending on how ready someone feels.