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"   If you aren&amp;#039;t addicted to drugs, alcohol or sugar, you may consider yourself to be addiction free. However, your online behavior may suggest otherwise. A recent study delving into people&amp;#039;s web-surfing habits has shown how the internet affects our moods.  SHOP OUR FAVOURITE BARGAINS Scientists have warned that using the internet for hours can result in withdrawal symptoms similar to the comedown experienced by drug users. The researchers at Swansea University found that spending excessive amounts of time surfing the internet left people in a negative mood. But when heavy internet users leave the web and then come back to it, their negative mood lifts. This is similar to the emotional highs and lows experienced by drug users. Professor Phil Reed, from the university&amp;#039;s psychology department, said: &amp;quot;Our results show that around half of the young people we studied spend so much time on the net that it has negative consequences for the rest of their lives. GET THE BEST GIRLY GADGETS &amp;quot;When people come offline, they suffer increased negative mood \u2013 just like people coming off illegal drugs like ecstasy. &amp;quot;These initial results, and related studies of brain function, suggest that there are some nasty surprises lurking on the net for people&amp;#039;s wellbeing.&amp;quot; The study concluded: &amp;#039;The negative impact of excessive internet use can be seen across a wide range of aspects of the addict&amp;#039;s life. Internet addiction was associated with long-standing depression, impulsive non-conformity, and autism traits.&amp;#039; TOP 10 TIPS ON HOW TO STUDY The study was very small, with only 60 participants. But other recent studies have also shown how aware people are becoming of their online habits, and the effects it has on their mental health.  Lent is underway and what have people given up? A poll by ecigarettedirect.co.uk found that more than a fifth of young professionals aged 18-35 think they spend too much time on social networking websites and apps. Have you ever given up social media? Do you notice that your moods change depending on your internet or social media usage? Don&amp;#039;t give up the web completely \u2013 it&amp;#039;s important to get your daily dose of Cosmo! Do you think you spend too long online? Tell us on Twitter @CosmoOnCampus. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/more/a19146/university-research-reveals-the-effects-of-the-internet-can-be-similar-to-the-habits-of-drug-users/>