The modern world has many temptations. Some of these can provide pleasurable experiences, but others can present a huge challenge for society as a whole. Substance abuse and technology addiction are growing, and it’s time to consider the correlation that the two have to deal with the issue effectively.
Now, it’s possible to avail of rehabilitation for technology addiction when a person goes for drug alcohol abuse treatment.
Substance Abuse in Our Society
While substance abuse has been a problem in America for at least a hundred years, there’s no doubt that it is a growing issue. More than 28 million Americans admitted to abusing a substance in just the last year, and it is also contributing to new HIV users all the time.
Substance abuse does not discern by race or class. While certain members of society may be more vulnerable, such as teenagers, and particular drugs may be more prevalent in communities where there is high unemployment, alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the country by every age group, race, and class.
Some people are more prone to addiction than others, but many people may go through a period of substance abuse. This doesn’t mean that it won’t threaten their life or their livelihood. It is a serious issue that needs to be tackled in society.
The Correlation of Substance Abuse and Technology Addiction
As people examine the underlying causes of substance abuse and technology addiction, it becomes increasingly clear that those causes can contribute to one or the other, or both issues. It’s also common to find that people with the same personality traits have a history of both substance abuse and technology addiction. This means that these people will be more vulnerable to addiction or substance abuse.
People with internet addiction and substance addiction may also share similar vulnerable brain regions, including dorsolateral and orbitofrontal cortices. Their impulsiveness and non-conformity rates are usually higher. Both substance abuse and technology addiction cause structural changes to the prefrontal area of the brain, and this means that prioritizing real-life tasks that need attention becomes more challenging. A 2013 study found that earlier onset of substance abuse relates to levels of internet addiction. The same study found that the severity of internet use correlated strongly with levels of substance use. This was an extensive study carried out on 73,238 participants, so the results are pretty informative.
Substance abuse can contribute to technology addiction, as when people are taking too much of a substance, they can easily lose themselves in a computer or phone-based tasks such as gaming, gambling, online shopping, or hours of scrolling on social media. It’s easy to lose track of time if one is drunk or high.
In another way, technology addiction can contribute to substance abuse. If someone is addicted to technology, then ordering their drugs or alcohol from their phone or computer will be second-nature for them. They don’t even need to worry about leaving the house. Also, they may not realize that they are drinking more or doing more drugs if they are engaged with another technological activity. Certain age groups, such as teens, may be more influenced by what they see on social media stories, where it looks fun to abuse drugs or alcohol. If a person is feeling low or ashamed after their drug or alcohol misuse, they can hide behind their technology, thus feeding the addiction to it.
Getting Treatment for Both Substance Abuse and Tech Addiction
If you, or a loved one, is suffering from both substance abuse and technology addiction, then firstly, you must get into treatment. It’s important that you discuss both with a doctor so that they are treated together, as often the underlying problems may be the same.
When looking at the management of drug abuse, it may be prudent to consider a medicated approach, especially if feelings of depression or anxiety are contributing to abuse and addiction. Prescribing anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication can help reduce feelings of hopelessness that the patient wants to drink or drug away, and it can also mean that they’re not inclined to need as much distraction.
However, far and away the best course of action is to undergo some Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This will help address the negative patterns that have led to substance abuse and technology addiction. Changing how you think and react to certain triggers is the key to managing your use of technology and ensuring that your substance abuse doesn’t get out of control.
Talk therapy/counseling can also be effective for those who suffer from both disorders. Counselors will often advise patients to get a new hobby and take up exercise. This helps get the patient away from temptation and encourages them to manage in another way.
Let Us Help You
Don’t be ashamed to reach out and ask for help. If you feel your substance abuse and technology addiction are overwhelming, there is an answer. Once you address the problem, you’ll see that there is so much more in your life than the negatives you have been focusing on.
Several drug and alcohol treatment facilities can also help you with your technology addiction. Opening up to a medical professional is the first step in changing your life for the better.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2201515
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651446/#R7
