There are heroin addictions and there are nicotine addictions. There are gambling addictions and there are theft addictions. The newest, but less suspected addiction that is on the rise is Internet addiction. “There’s nothing wrong with the Internet until it starts interfering with what you want to get out of life,” said Ben Alexander during a CNN interview.

Alexander was once a college student and talented musician, but after pursuing a life of World of Warcraft, his life suddenly fell into a slough. Alexander told CNN that he spent an extensive amount of time playing the online game, sometimes up to 16-17 hours a day. When he needed help, he turned to reSTART.

reSTART is a detox program located in Fall City, Wash., that helps individuals who are addicted to the Internet. The 45-day program helps people overcome Internet addictions such as gaming, text messaging, gambling, and online chatting. reSTART is the first of its kind in the states. Staff members of reSTART said that about 10% of Internet users have some form of addiction.

“The Internet has everything,” said senior Michael Simpkins. “If you’re bored, you go to the Internet. If you need information for schoolwork or need a definition of a word, you go to the Internet.”

The Internet has made life a lot easier. People can use programs like Skype and iChat to communicate. Google created its own phone service called “Google Voice” this year. There are also popular games like World of Warcraft and Second Life for entertainment. Although these programs were designed to make communication easy and fun, some people become dangerously obsessed.

“A lot of it has to do with communication,” said junior Marcus Leikam. “You might find a few people with similar interests at college, but on the Internet you can find an entire community.”

Internet addiction isn’t an “it won’t happen here” type of thing. The Internet is almost everywhere. It’s already hit home and sometimes it hits hard. Ten students were asked to take a six-question survey about Internet use. Eight of the students said they knew someone who was addicted to the Internet.

Guilford is certainly no refuge; in fact, the student handbook encourages students to check their e-mail at least once a day. Even one visit to the e-mail box can be enough for someone who is easily distracted to click on the search bar and begin their descent into the wildly mesmerizing world of the Net.

Students who use the Internet to simply check their e-mail make the process look too easy. These individuals have the aptitude to click the close out box when they’re done. Others, however, are too easily consumed with what the Internet has to offer. After spending hours watching silly videos or chatting, it can be difficult to minimize the screen and go to class. This writer has difficulty diverting the search bar without thinking of six Web Sites to check out.

“I think a lot of people are dependent on the Internet but if the Internet were to ever shut down, I think most of us could still live without it,” said Simpkins.

The Internet won’t go away anytime soon and neither will its addicts. Unless you plan to live a life that is Internet-free then you will most likely be using the Web on a daily basis. For non-addicts and recovering addicts alike, the best thing to have is a little self-control. Pretend the web is a limited supply of water. When you grow thirsty, drink only what is necessary.