Most net-savvy people feel "upset and lonely" when deprived of the Internet, and they find going offline as hard as kicking the butt or quitting drinking, says a new study.

The study, based on a survey, has revealed that 53 per cent feel upset when denied access and 40 per cent feel lonely if unable to go online. It found that people experience these feelings even if denied online access for a short time.

Participants in the study were quizzed on their attitudes to the use of the internet, smart phones, and other devices, and were even asked to go 24 hours without any access to Internet technology, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

Giving up all technology allowing web access was described by some participants as similar to quitting drinking or smoking. One person surveyed even said being deprived of the Internet was "like having my hand chopped off".

Paul Hudson, chief executive of Intersperience, which commissioned survey, said: "Online and digital technology is increasingly pervasive, influencing our friendships, the way we communicate, the fabric of our family life, our work lives, our buying habits and our dealings with organisations."