WASHINGTON, DC – January 26, 2000 – The CIA is the first government agency to host a workshop on Internet addiction. Dr. Kimberly Young, a licensed psychologist and Executive Director of the Center for On-Line Addiction will conduct an intensive workshop for the entire Mental Health Division at the CIA.. Topics cover: (1) diagnostic evaluations of employees suspected of Internet abuse, (2) therapy issues with the Internet-addicted client, (3) Risk Management to protect companies from unwarranted wrongful termination and ADA claims based upon Internet addiction, and (4) integration of Pre-employment Screenings to detect potential at-risk employees predisposed to develop Internet addiction.

The government closely monitors Internet use among employees, perhaps more thoroughly than other sectors, and has found an increased incidence of Internet misuse in the workplace. The issue of cyber-slaking already has been a focus of many corporations who struggle with how to properly implement the Internet without a reduction in employee productivity.

"The fact that the CIA invited such as workshop signifies not only that Internet abuse is a significant corporate dilemma, but that monitoring software itself doesn’t stop the problem, it only catches problems that already exist. Proactive behavioral solutions such as our training seminars serves to prevent abuse before it starts and educate supervisors on early detection techniques," states Dr. Young, a consultant to Employee Assistance Programs on Internet abuse in the workplace.

The issue of Internet addiction has seen dramatic changes over the past few years with increasing attention towards further research and the emergence of specialty treatment programs to address its recovery. Recent studies show that mental health agencies ranging from drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, family services, college counseling centers, to EAPs have all documented an increase caseload of clients with Internet-related disorders. Coincidentally, there is more demand for these workshops among both healthcare and corporate settings.

The Center for On-Line Addiction was founded in 1995 as the first educational research firm to study online behavior and serves as the leading behavioral healthcare center specializing in Internet addiction recovery. Treatment and professional seminars are designed to promote "cyber-wellness" and focus on strategies to maximize use of technology while retaining a balance in one’s life.