Virtual Addiction: Help for Netheads, Cyberfreaks, and Those Who Love Them (Paperback)

by David N. Greenfield (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
It might start with an innocent exploration of chat rooms, or a stab at an interactive multiuser game. But the Internet, for many Americans, has the potential to become an addiction that wreaks havoc at home, work, school, and in real-life relationships. The author, an expert on Internet addiction, began researching obsessive online behavior when he noticed that an increasing number of couples seeking marriage counseling were suffering from cyberspace-related problems.

Virtual Addiction includes 12 warning signs of Internet abuse, steps for addicts to change behavior, and advice for compulsive online shoppers and stock traders.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
From the Introduction of "Virtual Addiction": "When I first approached the idea for this book, it was based in part, on my personal experience with the power of the Internet. When I was first introduced to the Internet I became almost instantly entranced by the online world. I noticed that I was spending far more time online than I had planned to each time I went online (and still do). I also noticed that the Internet experience was exciting to me. It felt like an adventure, and it was fun. The colors, sounds, and information all available 24 hours a day felt almost intoxicating. Like many of you, I had already been using a computer. I had essentially used it for word processing, desktop publishing, and financial programs. Although I liked the computer, it never excited me the way it did after I went online."

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572241721
• ISBN-13: 978-1572241725
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #848,487 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book says a lot of nothing!, December 3, 1999

By A Customer

The title is relatively offensive and derogatory towards people who are addicted to the Internet. To call Internet-addicted users "cyberfreaks" or "netheads" minimizes the serious impact of what this condition does to people's personal and professional lives. However, despite the improper book title, I was hopeful the book would offer quality guidance for those who suffer from net addiction. But to my great disappointment, the book was full of dull, academic, and general theory about models of chemical dependency without any genuine attempt to understand how the Internet addiction differs from other compulsive disorders. While some of the chapters ended with brief checklists, none offered any concrete, constructive, and detailed exercises to help sufferers cope with the problem. Furthermore, the book is quite remedial as the author wastes a great deal of time to describe each Internet application (e.g., The Web, Chat Rooms, Newsgroups), as if readers would not already understand what many of these functions are from previous online exposure. The book is not enlightening and does not offer much more than would be common sense to an average person. Through his writing, Dr. Greenfield not only reveals his lack of Internet knowledge but shows that he clearly does not know his own subject matter. He bases his entire book on an online poll conducted at abcnews.com that provides some broad statistics but does little to reveal the depth of the problem. It seems that this book reflects the author's shallow attempt to gain notoriety rather than a sincere attempt to truly help people.

In the author's desperation to receive positive feedback, he even had to ASK someone to write a review on Amazon (see first review). If Dr. Greenfield were truly interested in understanding how his book impacts the public, he should try to read unsolicited and unbiased reviews.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally my internet use makes sense, December 7, 1999

By A Customer

As a technophobe, I had never expected to spend the kind of time online that I do. Dr. Greenfield's book helped me to finally understand why I was so drawn to this world, and whether or not I truly had a problem. I respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer. How much is too much is a very complicated question, especially in light of the mainstreaming of the net. But I think the author manages to answer it gracefully and intelligently, and offer some sensible steps for change. I recommend this book without hesitation.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars totally helpful!, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

i'm grateful to the author for offering such a comprehensive guide to net addiction. i picked it up because my brother just got a divorce because of his addiction to the internet. (also, the title and the cool cover really caught my attention.)once i'd read 10 or so pages i was completely absorbed. the writing is above-average for a self-help book, and the chapters have lively examples and practical help. i plan on buying it for my entire family for xmas!