Social Media and the Workplace: The Addictive Truth

The social media explosion of the early 21st Century has been both a boon and a bother, not only to global sociodynamics but also to the workplace and the professional sphere. While it has now become critical for most businesses to remain connected through various online means, it has become a significant source of distraction and potential addiction for many of their employees.

It is now believed by many in the recovery community that social networking sites (SNS) can be highly addictive. This addiction often bleeds over into the workplace and can be highly disruptive. Yet, this disruption does need to manifest into the norm. However, there are means by which social media addictions can be mitigated and managed.

Understanding the Reality of Social Media Addiction

For those that struggle with a social media disorder, there can be little doubt that there remains little time for anything else, including professional productivity. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reported on a fascinating study about social media addiction and time consumption. The journal reports:

[F]or some individuals, their SNS [social networking site] addiction takes up such a large amount of available time that it is highly unlikely that it would co-occur with other behavioral addictions unless the other behavioral addiction(s) can find an outlet via social networking sites (e.g., gambling addiction, gaming addiction). Put simply, there would be little face validity in the same individual being, for example, both a workaholic and a social networking addict, or an exercise addict and a social networking addict, mainly because the amount of daily time available to engage in two behavioral addictions simultaneously would be highly unlikely.

It may be hard to comprehend, but social media disorder can be so strong that it can even usurp the potential for co-occurring behavioral disorders. There is an argument to be made that this unique characteristic of social media addiction elevates it into a relatively severe stratosphere of addiction.

How Social Media Addiction Affects the Workplace

While there may be a tendency to minimize the effects of social media misuse, this is a miscalculation and can lead to highly disruptive professional consequences. The apparent conflict social media misuse can have in the workplace is its detraction from work participation and productivity.

As previously mentioned, it is not a stretch to see that if a social media disorder can overtake the time for other behavioral disorders, it can undoubtedly overcome "normal" positive work behaviors as well. Yet, a reduction in productivity and work hours are not the only effects that a social media addiction can have professionally.

Social media addiction can have other consequences as well. For the individual, it can lead to anxiety and depression. For the workplace, it can lead to online consequences, such as social media misrepresentations and missteps brought about by irresponsible social media activity. The good news is that there are ways to treat digital addictions like social media disorder.

How to Manage and Mitigate Social Media Misuse in the Workplace

One of the common misconceptions about treating a social media addiction is that social networking has to be cut out entirely. This is not only untrue, but it is also unrealistic.

Here at Next Level Recovery Associates, we utilize an individualized approach to a client's social media misuse that will help them find a balance between their online activity and real-life responsibilities. For those struggling in the professional sphere, this means creating a plan that will help them eliminate toxic social media use while also allowing them to utilize the internet for business purposes.

Our case management planning aims to take an empathetic evidence-based approach to social media use and investigate active social media addiction and some of the deeper root causes of why this addiction has taken hold. We can help our clients better understand their behaviors and connect them with the tools and resources they will need for success.

How Next Level Recovery Associates Can Help

According to yet another article by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, "There is a growing scientific evidence base to suggest excessive SNS [social networking site] use may lead to symptoms traditionally associated with substance-related addictions," and that "these symptoms have been described as salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, relapse, and conflict with regards to behavioral addictions." It is hard to underestimate the severity of social media addiction when it has been shown to exhibit the same symptoms as substance use disorders (SUDs).

Because social media disorder is still relatively new, many people do not take its severity seriously. But its effects have become too real for those who have seen their workplace affected.

Here at Next Level Recovery Associates, we take all addictions very seriously, including digital addictions like social media disorder. Also, until the rest of the recovery industry catches up, we feel we are uniquely qualified to combat it.

The social media explosion of the past decade has created a level of connectivity unparalleled in human history. While this technological advancement certainly has its positive attributes, it can also wreak havoc in the professional sphere. Digital addiction is real, and it is becoming more and more prevalent every day. When someone in the workplace struggles with a digital addiction like a social media disorder, it can affect everyone in their orbit. The good news is that there are recovery options for social media disorder, and Next Level recovery Associates is at the forefront of offering them. If social media misuse is affecting your workplace, we can help. For more information, contact Next Level Recovery Associates at (561) 735-2590