[1]lt's the equivalent of inviting sex addicts to a brothel or holding an AlcoholicsAnonymous (AA) meeting at the pub. lnternet addicts tired of their square-eyed, keyboard tappingways need look no further than the Web for counselling. There is now an online counselling serviceat www.relate.org.nz for nternet obsessives. Just e-mail the details of your lnternet-induced crisisand help comes direct to your inbox. The new breed of cybertherapists see nothing strange aboutoffering help through the very medium that is swallowing their clients' free time and splitting theirmarriages.
[2] Sue Hine, of Relationship Services, says: "lnternet obsession has become a morenoticeable problem over the last 18 months. At least this is an area addicts are familiar with andthey'll be able to use it as a tool to overcome their obsession." Nor do experts worry that theRelate Website might become a favourite--a place to spend hours online in the name of lnternettherapy. Dependency is always a risk with any form of counselling. There are various strateqies wecan adopt to keep that in perspective, says Hine.
[3] Though some may regard Internet addiction as another dubious ailment dreamed upto keep therapists in work, Relationship Services says the problem is real.
[4] Internet usage is up to four-and-a-half hours on the Web each week, compared tothree-and-a-half hours a year ago. Therapist Robin Paul says there tend to be two scenarios. Somepeople meet through chatrooms and fall in love. lt's like having an affair, then they meet and it'slike a whirlwind honeymoon. lt's devastating for the person left behind and quite often it has noreal foundation.
[51 I saw one couple who were still together but it was very rocky. He met someone on theNet and went overseas to meet the woman. Then he left his wife and children to be with her. lnanother case I saw recently, a man left his three children to be with a woman (who was) leaving herfour children. lt's terribly hard on the kids when this happens.
