Answering yes to five or more of the questions suggests that addiction is present. Given the popularity of the Internet, legitimate business usage may mask the addictive behavior even when a person meets all of the criteria.

Where do Internet addicts go online?

Most often, Internet addicts are attracted to the following:

• online pornography
• adult sex chat
• obsessively checking stock quotes
• day trading
• playing computer games
• gambling in virtual casinos
• chatting with online strangers
• searching for information not relevant to work

Immediate and often required access to the Internet becomes a constant distraction that can wreak havoc on the addict's professional and personal life.