Dealing with a Digital Addiction
It was inevitable. Digital devices have so taken over our lives that some people are willing to pay to get away from it all. Yes, we’re talking about adults here—adults who escape for a weekend or longer with others similarly addicted to engage in playful activities, gadget-free.
Do you have a digital addiction? Among the signs are that you regularly stay online longer than you intended, you neglect work or personal responsibilities to go online, you feel guilty about the amount of time you spend online, you lie about the extent of your online activity, and you feel anxious when you have to be away from your digital devices for any length of time.
Other signs include a constant focus on your device(s), feeling stressed even as you overdose on digital activity, and fear that turning off your device means you’re going to miss out on something important. Do you sleep with your phone by your side? (Tell the truth, now!) Have you ever had a panic attack when you reached for your phone in your pocket and couldn’t find it?
A real danger of digital addiction is losing the capacity to have a regular conversation or show interest in others. Kids are particularly susceptible to this danger, but adults may not be far behind. There’s some suspicion that constantly surfing from one link to another all day long stimulates short-term memory but damages the part of the brain used for reflection and creativity.
It’s easy to treat digital addiction in a tongue-in-cheek manner, but this is a serious and growing problem. Some people believe the best solution is to pull the plug. But let’s face it: That’s not feasible for most people, even those who go to adult camp for a weekend. (Articles on these getaways rarely comment on how well campers manage their addiction when they return to their normal lives!)
As with other addictions, an important starting point is recognizing the addiction and feeling motivated to seek help. Research suggests cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective way to overcome digital addiction. The idea is that thoughts determine feelings, and therefore, it’s necessary to face the feelings and the underlying issues that led to the addiction.
This whole issue would be a lot easier to deal with if these digital devices weren’t so useful for so many things. Maybe we ought to just plan on meeting up at detox camp where, for a few relaxing days, we participate in hikes and sing-alongs before returning to our digital lives.
