Scientists recently claimed they have diagnosed their first-ever patient with Internet addiction disorder.

The patient, a 31-year-old U.S. navy serviceman had been using technology, specifically Google Glass, for around eighteen hours a day.

He felt irritable and argumentative without the device. He also experienced dreams through the viewpoint of the Google Glass frame.

The patient had originally checked into treatment for alcoholism.

While he was in treatment for 35 days, all addictive behaviors were restricted; he was forced to abstain from alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and all electronics.

Doctors noticed during treatment that the patient repeatedly did movements mimicking motions used to switch on the “heads-up” display on Google Glass.

He also suffered from involuntary movements, cravings and memory problems in addition to his other symptoms.

The patient claimed that he was going through alcohol and Google Glass withdrawal, and said the “Google Glass withdrawal was greater than the alcohol withdrawal” he was experiencing.

The symptoms and erratic behavior the patient was experiencing led doctors to formally diagnose him with Internet addiction disorder.

To most people, that sounds foolish.

Most people would say he needs a hobby, he just needs to not use Google Glass or that he’s substituting alcohol for some piece of technology.

But the fact of the matter is an addiction is an addiction, and the addiction to technology- especially the Internet, is a significant problem in today’s society that will come bearing tremendous side effects in the future.

Dr. Andrew Doan, head of addictions and resilience research at the US navy’s Substance Abuse and Recovery Programme (Sarp), says that eventually people will realize Internet addiction disorder is a real problem, and that more studies will be conducted to prove that it’s something that needs to be fixed.

“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 realise that this is real.”

The fact that Internet addiction is becoming a rising problem for our generation is scary.

Young adults spend over 7.5 hours a day using technology; this includes using the Internet, watching TV, listening to music, playing video games and of course, social networking.

Sensational products made by Apple and Google have only encouraged this behavior as it becomes easier and easier to integrate this technology into our daily routine.

Google has literally made technology wearable with Google Glass and so has Apple with the iWatch.

So what’s the harm?

The counter argument to this is that with such advancements in technology today, we should be taking advantage of it for our benefit.

But if we overuse technology, not only are we expediting Internet addiction disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome, we will soon become mind-numbed individuals that can only be stimulated by a bright screen displaying emojis and overly simplified and abbreviated words.

To avoid Internet addiction disorder and other technological disorders alike, it’s best to practice preventative behavior.

Thus, I implore you, please put down your electronics every once in a while and experience life without a screen.