Detox for Internet Addicts

The several problems China has occasionally encountered with regard to Internet are well known. Excessive freedom of expression and movement of ideas are some of the problems that the Chinese government fights with shutting down sites and Internet cafes. However, China has to face yet another major problem, which no one would perceive in the past. Chinese people are logging on every day by thousands, while the Internet users have soared past many millions, regardless of the censorship and the severe banning implemented in the country. The rise in personal wealth can account for this new reality China experiences. However, the Chinese users seem to have gone off limits, and many of them have developed an addiction that requires psychological treatment.
More Than 2.5 Millions Need Help
The Internet addiction is not only a Chinese problem, however, the news that the Asian country with a population that amounts to 1.3 billions has established a detox clinic for Internet addicts made the headlines worldwide. The majority of the addicts are young people, who surf the net to chat or to play games.

As per Internet addicts, who have already attended the detox programme, they realised they had develop an addiction only after the endless hours they spent online had dramatic changes in their lives. It was then that they were convinced to check in the first clinic specialised in such cases.

The clinic started operating last March and also provides detox programmes with drug addicts and alcoholics.

The two-week detox programme includes medical treatment, psychological therapy, and daily workouts. The latter part of the programme is viewed as absolutely necessary, since most of the patients spent hours in front of the computer screen.


Dr Ran pointed out that a lot of 12year children encounter problems at school, while they develop depression, aggressiveness and sleeping disorders.