Updated April 2022
Media coverage regarding tech addiction and developing smartphone addiction is matched by research into this topic. Various studies have indicated detrimental effects on the development of social and learning skills due to excessive screen time. However, what is really concerning is the sheer number of people struggling with tech and smartphone addiction.
In this blog, we look at the possible causes, potential consequences and recommended treatment options for smartphone addiction.
What Is Tech Addiction?
Tech addiction simply refers to a psychological addiction to being online or using tech such as smartphones, consoles and tablets. Addiction is characterised as a chronic medical disease when people engage in behaviour or take substances to the point where they are harmful. There does not have to be a physically addictive substance involved to develop an addiction. Addiction is created in the brain and includes any form of behaviour that you are not in control of and causes negative consequences in your life. Some associated behaviours are gambling, shopping and smartphone addiction.
Constantly being online, checking social media, watching pornography or playing games on consoles is often referred to as an impulse control disorder. This is a type of addiction to any activity involving obsessive behaviour. Tech addiction is an impulse control disorder that is extremely common in today’s society. It can be self-destructive and damaging to yourself and the people close to you, yet often not considered a serious problem.
The most common form of tech addiction is smartphone addiction. With almost everyone owning a smartphone, overuse can be very easy to do without even realising. Scientific studies into smartphone addiction have shown that obsessively checking your phone can lead to mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Receiving messages and notifications from social media lights up the same reward pathways in the brain as alcohol and drugs.
Smartphone and Social Media Addiction
Checking your smartphone is considered normal and most people will carry their smartphone everywhere they go and keep it beside them when they sleep. Constantly having access to highly addictive social media applications and games, smartphones can also enable other behavioural addictions such as codependency, gambling, pornography, sex addiction and shopping addiction.
The majority of people who own a smartphone will use social media and other various applications. Research indicates that a high percentage of smartphone users are uncomfortable with the amount of time they spend on their phones.
Smartphone Addiction in Individuals with Anxiety and Depression
A UK psychological study on smartphone usage amongst participants aged between 13 and 69 indicated anxiety, depression, emotional problems or an unstable home environment could be triggers for smartphone addiction.
Professor Zaheer Hussain, who assisted in conducting the study from Derby University said, “Problematic smartphone use is more complex than previously thought and our research has highlighted the interplay of various psychological factors in the study of smartphone use.” The study showed that while there is an addiction to address, there are often underlying emotional and psychological triggers that require professional treatment.
What Causes Smartphone Addiction?
When considering the causes of smartphone addiction, it is important to consider all contributing factors. Certain groups of people are at higher risk of developing this impulse control disorder, including:
- People with or have previously suffered from mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression
- People who are lonely or isolated
- Children and teenagers, as their brains are still forming and vulnerable to addictive processes and substances
- An addiction that a smartphone enables, such as gambling or shopping
- People with or who have had an unstable homelife
- Any occupation that requires constant access to the internet
- People with a stressful work environment.
Addiction is often a way to escape emotions and current reality. Social media addiction provides this for many people who are emotionally impacted by likes for posts, comments and the number of followers they have.
Easy access to tech and the internet has been beneficial and makes it easier to connect with friends and family. Communication via text, email and social media also means you can speak with anyone, anywhere at any time, without ever needing to meet in person. Substance misuse and tech addiction often support each other and when you are in drug rehab, both need to be treated together.
When social media and online activity have become your priority and affect your relationships in the “real world”, you may be struggling with tech addiction. If you feel anxious or uncomfortable without your smartphone or other type of tech, this is a sign that you may require treatment for tech addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Smartphone Addiction
If you are unsure if you or someone you care about might have a smartphone addiction, you may not know where to turn or who to speak to. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of smartphone addiction:
- The thought of losing your smartphone terrifies you
- Obsessively checking your phone even when there are no notification noises
- Not wanting to spend any period of time separated from your phone.
- Hearing your phone notifications going off when they don’t
- Feeling a rush of anticipation or excitement whenever you hear a smartphone notification
- Ritualistic and obsessive behaviour, such as checking your phone during the night and as soon as you wake up, or falling asleep when using your smartphone and frequently spending time online on your phone.
- Using your phone when interacting with family and friends or at social events
- Friends or family have suggested that you are addicted to your smartphone
- The time you spend on your phone is causing difficulty in your relationships with friends and family or when you are at work
- You feel anxious, depressed, or have difficulty sleeping.
Treatment for Smartphone and Tech Addiction
To treat smartphone and tech addiction successfully, complete abstinence from the internet is strongly suggested. Yes, this means trading your smartphone for a phone used only for calling and texting. This may feel strange and increased anxiety is normal at first, but this will pass with the right treatment and support.
It is also recommended that you address any other underlying causes. This could mean speaking to your GP about how you’re feeling or communicating with other NHS addiction support services.
Treatment for drug and tech addiction is available during rehab at Step by Step Recovery, with consultants, psychologists and therapists who understand both addictions. Family or relationship therapy may also be offered during rehab to help you tackle unresolved issues or any other things affecting you. We can assist with private bespoke drug and alcohol detox, with treatment for smartphone addiction; tailored to ensure you have a personalised rehab programme when you are in our private rehab clinics.
We offer free advice on supporting and treating addiction. Step by Step Recovery exists to help individuals beat drug addiction permanently, providing support to the people we treat and their friends and family. Please complete our online assessment form or call our understanding team on 0800 170 1222 for free, confidential advice to help you or a loved one.
