The belief that our world is holographic becomes alarmingly real since screens surround us. According to Scripps.org, adults accumulate 11 hours of screen time per day, but people working with computers or remotely spend more time on electronics. Spending so much time on an electronic device could lead to health issues. Eye strain, insomnia, neck and back pain, and social media addiction are some of the side effects of too much screen time. Fortunately, adult treatment for technology addiction can help you.
What is Adult Treatment for Technology Addiction?
Some addicts don’t realize they have a problem until it’s brought to their attention. But others might question, “am I addicted to technology?” because they feel off balance. If you think excessive use of electronic devices, social media, or video games is impacting your life, then consider adult treatment for technology addiction.
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy
According to the American Psychological Association, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment effectively used for anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, marital problems, and technology addition. Studies suggest CBT improves functionality and quality of life. CBT proves to be useful or more effective than other treatments and medications for adult treatment for technology addiction. Learn More.
Family Therapy
When the family dynamic isn’t healthy, it might be time for therapy. Family Therapy includes attending sessions led by a psychologist, social worker, or therapist for issues such as anger, grief, or abuse, according to WebMD. However, family therapy is an excellent treatment for technology addiction. Conflicts and struggles within the home over the person’s excessive use of social media, cell phones, or video games could result in a toxic environment. Meeting with a professional to create a treatment plan geared towards resolving the technology addiction could benefit home life. But results usually occur if everyone is open to doing the work and changing. Treating the patient with the assistance of family input and support is key to rebuilding family connections and encourages the patient to make the necessary behavioral changes.
Group support
Group therapy involves a group of five to fifteen participants who are led by one to two psychologists. The groups typically meet for one or two hours per week and focus on one topic like obesity, anxiety, and technology addiction. Group therapy allows the members to discuss their issues and receive feedback and support from members. Because group therapy targets one specific problem, it is perfect for technology addiction. It allows for peer support from those battling the same affliction. It helps boost the mood of an addict when they know they are not alone, and others can relate to their problems. Plus, the group members learn ways to lessen the time spent on technological devices and explore why they turned to it in the first place. If you’re open to it, group counseling can help you get through your dilemma.
Is Technology Addiction Treatment for Adults Effective?
The U.S. is currently debating on whether technology addiction exists. Currently, technology addiction isn’t a recognized disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), according to Pyscom.net. However, the presence of people suffering from technology addiction symptoms is steadily increasing here in the U.S. and abroad.
According to Dr. Adrian Wang, a psychiatrist at the Gleneagles Medical Centre in Singapore, who spoke with Medical News Today, he does not support a “standalone diagnosis of ‘Internet Addiction’ but feels it’s part of a more significant underlying issue like anxiety, boredom, depression, and self-esteem. He goes on to say that some people with addictive personalities could be more susceptible to developing an addiction.
A study on internet addiction and its relation to psychopathology and self-esteem in college students found a correlation between internet addiction and anxiety, depression, and interpersonal sensitivity, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Successful Technology Treatment
In 2009, the reSTART residential treatment facility opened in Seattle, WA, according to Psycom.net. reSTART offers an “intensive 1-3 month retreat treatment program, an independent living skills program, pre-care and aftercare programs, and individualized family wellness counseling and coaching services,” according to Psychology Today. The programs assist teens and adults. The adult technology addiction treatment focuses on screen time usage, playing video games, checking or posting on social media, searching the internet, to name a few. They offer 12-step support groups, CBT, person-centered therapy, independent living, and more.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is becoming one of the best treatment methods for internet addiction. A study conducted on treatment outcomes using CBT-IA produced the results “that over 95% of clients were able to manage symptoms at the end of the twelve weeks and 78% sustained recovery six months following treatment, ” according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Even more promising is “CBT-IA was effective at improving symptoms associated with Internet addiction after twelve weekly sessions and over one month, three months, and six months after therapy.”
“Clinical trials monitoring the efficacy of CBT include waitlist control, placebo conditions, and treatment as usual/TAU,” according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). However, the research of technology addiction is in its early stages. More studies are necessary to improve adult technology addiction treatment. However, the research needs to focus on the efficacy of an addiction, which might be unavoidable given that the use of technology is prevalent within society. A decrease or elimination in use could be a direct result of the treatment. But can the results be viewed in the same way as a person stopping an opiate or alcohol? Further research will give us a better understanding.
Resources
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/278530.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4154573/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5797481/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6198588/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/treatment-rehab/restart-life-bellevue-wa/121372
https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6626-how-much-screen-time-is-too-much