Understanding Digital Addiction
You've probably heard that we're all spending too much time on our phones and computers. According to a recent Nielsen report, the average American stares at a screen—usually connected to the internet—for 11 hours a day.
While the internet has brought many benefits, some experts have raised concerns about addiction. While it's not currently recognized as a diagnosable condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), digital addiction is a real phenomenon with severe consequences.
Digital Addiction
In recent years, digital addiction has become a widely recognized phenomenon. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, such as difficulty planning, poor time management, and higher-than-average attentional impulsivity, are common among those with internet addiction.
Individuals who struggle with addiction are more likely to have a co-occurring disorder that requires special care and treatment. While there is still much to learn about digital addiction, it is clear that it is a serious problem that can profoundly impact both the individual and society.
Symptoms of digital addiction include feeling restless or irritable when offline, using digital devices to escape from real-world problems, and developing anxiety or depression due to heavy internet use.
Internet Gaming Disorder
The DSM-5, the official diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association, was updated in 2013 to include a description of internet gaming disorder. The disorder was included in a manual section devoted to proposed disorders, not as an officially recognized diagnosis. The DSM recommends that internet gaming disorder be studied further.
Internet gaming disorder is defined as online gaming behavior that negatively impacts gamers' lives, causing impairment or distress.
How to Recognize a Social Media Addiction
Social media has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. For many of us, it is hard to imagine going a day without checking our feeds or posting a new update. However, while social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, it can also be problematic for some people.
Problematic social media use is characterized by an inability to control one's use of social media sites/apps. Those affected by this digital addiction may spend hours on social media every day, to the detriment of their jobs, in-person relationships, and health.
Social Media and the Brain
Self-disclosure on social networking sites lights up the brain's reward center. The same part of the brain ignites when taking an addictive substance. The reward area in the brain and its chemical messenger pathways affect decisions and sensations.
When someone experiences something rewarding or uses an addictive substance, neurons in the principal dopamine-producing areas in the brain are activated, and dopamine levels rise. This reinforces the behavior, leading to addiction.
When an individual gets a notification, such as a like or mention, the brain receives a rush of dopamine and sends it along reward pathways, causing the individual to feel pleasure. Social media provides an endless amount of immediate rewards in the form of attention from others for relatively minimal effort.
Social media overuse can lead to social isolation, sleep deprivation, and low self-esteem. In severe cases, it can even result in suicidal thoughts or actions.
Mental Health Disorders
A 2017 study found that teens who spend more than five hours a day on their smartphones are twice as likely to show symptoms of depression.
The study, which researchers at the University of Montreal conducted, looked at data from over 4,000 adolescents aged 12-17. The participants were asked about their digital device use and mental health status. The findings showed that those who spent more than five hours a day on their smartphones were significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression, including feeling hopeless, restless, and irritable.
While the study does not prove that excessive smartphone use causes depression, it suggests a strong link between the two.
Next Level Recovery Associates
Digital addiction treatment seeks to find balance in the relationship between the user and the internet rather than eliminating the web from the user's life. By teaching users how to control their internet use and setting limits on screen time, treatment can help them develop a healthy relationship with technology.
At Next Level Recovery Associates, our mission is to fill the gaps in the treatment process with expertise and passion and help others in their needs to become the best version of themselves.
Unfortunately, the digital age has given rise to a new set of disorders, chief among them digital addiction disorder. It's a 21st-century problem that requires a 21st-century solution. That's where we come in. At Next Level Recovery Associates, we offer targeted, tailor-made recovery support plans based on individual circumstances and needs.
What We Offer
Next Level Recovery Associates offers a new approach to recovery support. We are one of the few places you can find help for technology addiction.
Our digital addiction support services focus on partnering with our clients to help them confront their problematic relationship with technology and then assist them in developing healthy coping skills, allowing them to successfully move forward with life in a healthy, productive way.
We understand how difficult it can be to come to terms with your digital addiction, but we believe that you can overcome this obstacle and lead a healthy and happy life with the proper support. Our team of experts will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan that meets your unique needs and helps you develop the skills you need to lead a successful life.
We are here to support you every step of the way, and we look forward to helping you achieve your goals.
Digital addiction is a growing problem. More and more people are spending hours online, often to the detriment of their offline lives. While digital addiction disorder is not yet an official diagnosis, there is a growing body of evidence that it can significantly negatively impact someone's ability to function in society. Games and social media can provide a sense of escape or community that may be lacking in the physical world. However, they can also lead to isolation, anxiety, and depression. If you or someone you know may be struggling with digital addiction, there are steps you can take to help them find balance. At Next Level Recovery Associates, we use cutting-edge techniques to help those suffering from digital addiction regain control of their lives. Digital addiction is real, but with understanding and support, it can be overcome. Contact Next Level Recovery Associates today at consult@nextlevelra.com.