When I was in sixth grade, my parents took away my computer privileges because I was sucking so much ass at school. Magically, I transformed into a model student overnight. It wasn't until I started undergrad in college that I began using the Internet to the lengths that I do now.

About a year ago, a month or so after I originally started this thread, I shut off the Internet at my apartment for about 4 months. While it is true that I found other ways to distract myself, I distracted myself with a wider variety of activities that I think were much healthier than wasting away in front of a computer screen. There was also the unfortunate side-effect of spending way more time at the law school, so I can use the free wi-fi. Still, I spent a lot less time online than I am now. I am considering trying something like that again... and dreading the thought.

I used to be addicted to poker until I started learning how to be a winning player. Is there some analogous thing I can do with the internet? Professional forum baiter?

This is similar to the problem I have with the internet. I wouldn't say I'm addicted but I definitely waste too much time without being productive. If I set out to do an essay probably only half of the day is actually working on it while the other half is browsing the internet with the essay minimized.

Try disasembling everything when you're finished? You should get pretty sick of putting it back together fairly quickly and make you think twice before surfing again.
Or a shrink and pills, the obviously next step.