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When a family member has an addiction other family members often cover for them; making up excuses and taking on their domestic duties. Embarrassed by the addicted person’s behaviour, family members will down play the impact. Conflict often erupts causing even more pain and stress in the family.
Family Law attorneys report record numbers of divorces related to cybersex and cyber affairs. One survey of nearly 18,000 people found almost 6% of those surveyed met the strict criteria for Compulsive Internet use, with another 4-6 % abusing the Net on a regular basis. The Internet has powerful mood altering capabilities; over 29% of those studied report using the Internet to alter their mood or escape on a regular basis.
A Person with an Addiction Won’t take Action
Many people resist taking action because they think it is too difficult or they don’t really believe they have a problem. They convince themselves life is good enough and have never imagined what life without suffering could be like. I have met people who know that pain is ruining their life, yet they are terrified of putting attention on the pain to try and resolve it. People tend to avoid anything that might make them feel bad, even if it will resolve their problems in the long run.
Society promotes the idea that showing emotion is a sign of weakness and no one wants to be weak, especially men. We learn at an early age not to express our feelings and emotions, especially when we are feeling bad. So we go on and try to numb our discomfort in a wide variety of ways, rather than face it head on.