A staggering 70% of adults admit to spending too much time on their phones, with some individuals checking their devices over 100 times a day.
Marios, a personal trainer, is one such individual, spending up to 14 hours a day on his phone, driven by loneliness and an uncontrollable need to be connected. He has now sought help through a 12-session therapy course to curb his compulsion.
Phone Addiction Epidemic
Phone addiction is not yet an officially recognized condition, but experts warn that smartphones are changing brain chemistry, leading to a growing number of people seeking treatment for device dependency. UK Addiction Treatment Centres report that one in three clients treated for drug dependency also have a secondary phone dependency, up from one in 10 in 2019.
Therapists at Steps Together rehab centers in the UK are seeing an increasing number of people struggling with digital addiction, with lead therapist Kelly Watson explaining that it can affect anyone from any background. The brain’s reward system, which releases dopamine in response to messages, likes, and new information, can become overwhelming, causing hours or days to disappear into the online world.
James, a 48-year-old being treated at a Steps Together center, knows the feeling of being held hostage by the digital world. After losing his job, he became consumed by social media, news websites, and obsessing over global events, feeling like he was losing his soul but unable to stop.
Seeking Help and Recovery
Watson says that when clients first arrive at the residential center, they are worried and confused, but with the help of group and one-to-one therapy, they can slowly break their dependency and reduce their screen time. Marios and James are among those seeking help, determined to overcome their phone addiction and regain control over their lives.
The growing awareness of phone addiction highlights the need for individuals to reassess their relationship with their devices and seek help when needed. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is essential to recognize the potential risks and take steps to maintain a healthy balance between technology use and daily life.
