First Case of Google Glass Addiction Reported
In a country with a diagnosis for everything, there is a new one to add to the list - the first case of Internet addiction, attributed to Google Glass, was reported.
The Telegraph reported that scientists have treated a man for internet addiction disorder allegedly from overuse of Google Glass - this is believed to be the first case of its kind.
A two-month owner of the wearable tech device, a 31-year-old serviceman in the U.S. Navy, said that he used it for at least 18 hours a day and only took it off to sleep or shower.
The wearable device allows users to access features on their phones, including the Internet, hands-free, by controlling certain function by voice and eye-motion commands, and viewing it on a display located in the corner of their vision.
The Google creation has been around for about one year, and sells for about $1,500.
Dr Andrew Doan, head of addictions and resilience research at the US Navy's Substance Abuse and Recovery Programme (Sarp), co-authored a paper on this patient, which was published in a journal - Addictive Behaviours, the Telegraph reported.
"People used to believe alcoholism wasn't a problem - they blamed the person or the people around them," Doan said. "It's just going to take a while for us to realize that this is real."
Doan said the patient had originally checked into the program in September 2013 for alcoholism treatment, which the facility treats by including a ban of all addictive behaviors.
This includes alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and the use of electronic devices.
The patient was observed repeatedly tapping his right temple - which is how the Google Glass heads-up display is switched on - and told doctors he was going through withdrawal from use of the glasses.
He told doctors he was suffering from involuntary movements, cravings, memory problems and dreaming as if he was wearing the glasses, and felt irritable and argumentative when he wasn't wearing them.
Sounds like a Sci-Fi movie, but Doan said there is evidence of people suffering from Internet addiction, and research and treatments for this new ailment are likely to exist soon.
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