Rebalancing Life in a Tech-Driven World
The amount of time people spend on computers, phones, tablets, gaming systems, and other smart devices may cause significant relationship and health issues. Treatment programs help clients rebalance their lives in a world increasingly dominated by technology. Individual and group therapy, peer support, disconnection from tech devices, and outdoor therapy give clients the necessary skills to manage internet addiction and other behavioral addictions.
Defining Technology Addiction and Its Behavioral Patterns
Technology addiction is a type of behavioral addiction characterized by an inability to control the use of technology despite negative consequences or a desire to quit overusing digital devices. Gaming addiction, social media addiction, and internet addiction are three of the most common forms of the condition.
According to Current Psychiatry Reviews, “Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) ruins lives by causing neurological complications, psychological disturbances, and social problems.” Due to the prevalence of smart devices in everyday life, many people require professional addiction treatment and ongoing therapy to successfully manage technology addictions.
According to Current Psychiatry Reviews, “Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) ruins lives by causing neurological complications, psychological disturbances, and social problems.” Due to the prevalence of smart devices in everyday life, many people require professional addiction treatment and ongoing therapy to successfully manage technology addictions.
Common Forms: Social Media, Online Gaming, Online Gambling, & Smartphone Overuse
Behavioral addictions may cause people to become preoccupied with the following:
- Video games
- Online and offline apps
- Internet use
- Social media use
- Online shopping
- News or social media notifications
Excessive use of video games, computers, or screen time on phones can have a negative impact on a person’s well-being, leading to physical and emotional stress. In addition, individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions may notice a worsening of symptoms. Adolescents who excessively use technology have an increased risk of developing addictive behaviors later in life.
Behavioral Addictions vs. Substance Use Disorders
Many people with substance use disorder (SUD) develop addictive behaviors. Chronic substance abuse rewires the reward pathways in the brain, making people more susceptible to addictive behaviors. Both conditions cause people to experience intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and other withdrawal symptoms.
According to the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, “Behavioral addiction such as internet addiction is similar to drug addiction except that in the former, the individual is not addicted to a substance but the behavior or the feeling brought about by the relevant action [. . .] the physical signs of drug addiction, are absent in behavioral addiction.”
According to the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, “Behavioral addiction such as internet addiction is similar to drug addiction except that in the former, the individual is not addicted to a substance but the behavior or the feeling brought about by the relevant action [. . .] the physical signs of drug addiction, are absent in behavioral addiction.”
Recognizing Risk Factors and Early Warning Signs
Some of the early signs of behavioral addictions involving technology include:
- Mental health issues like depressive episodes or anxiety during periods of abstinence
- Social isolation and withdrawal from friends and family
- Making excuses to spend more time on digital devices
- Reduced productivity at work or school
- Significant reduction of physical activity, as time previously spent maintaining physical health, becomes focused on using smart devices
The effects of technology addiction vary from person to person and exist along a spectrum from mild to severe. Individuals with more severe symptoms often require healthcare interventions to successfully treat and manage their condition.
The Mental Health Impact of Technology Addiction
A lack of face-to-face social interactions resulting from excessive technology use can negatively impact a person’s mental health and overall well-being. Some of the ways addictive behaviors affect mental health include:
Reduced stress tolerance
Increased anxiety
Depressive episodes
Feelings of loneliness
Relationship problems
Emotional and mood dysregulation
Sleep disturbances
Addictive behaviors may also increase a person’s risk of SUD or mental health disorders.
Co-Occurring Conditions: ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression
The health problems caused by excessive social media use, video game addiction, and other forms of technology addiction may increase symptoms of co-occurring mental health conditions, including:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Alcohol or drug use disorders
Technology addiction treatment simultaneously addresses all active co-occurring mental health disorders using evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies. Residential and outpatient care generally provides a combination of individual therapy, family therapy, and peer support. Legacy Outdoor Adventure utilizes wilderness therapy and other forms of experiential therapy to help clients successfully navigate their recovery and establish healthier routines.
The Prevalence of Tech Overuse Among Young People
Adolescents and young adults often develop routines that involve excessive use of gaming systems, the internet, and other forms of technology. According to Academic Psychiatry, “On a typical day, American teenagers (13- to 17-year-olds) spend an average of six and a half hours and tweens spend an average of four and a half hours on screen media use.” In addition, “Of US adults and those aged 18–29, respectively, 88% and 99% use the Internet.” Young people have an increased risk of developing mental health disorders due to excessive social media use.
Our Treatment Philosophy: Purpose, Recovery, and Adventure
Legacy Outdoor Adventure uses experiential therapy and other therapeutic modalities to address mental health and addiction issues. We believe that engaging with peers and spending time in nature can help people develop healthy coping skills, ultimately reducing their reliance on technology. The care team guides clients through the process of creating a healthier relationship with technology by limiting access to smart devices and gradually increasing freedom within a controlled and structured environment.
Why Our Wilderness and Adventure-Based Model Works
Wilderness therapy introduces healthy behaviors and essential life skills to individuals who may have never learned to regulate their emotions or manage stress without the crutch of a screen. We use individual and group therapy, outdoor group activities, and holistic therapies to address addictive behaviors and give clients the skills to make essential lifestyle changes that reduce reliance on technology. Our wilderness therapy sets Legacy Outdoor Adventure apart from other programs that treat technology addiction.
Daily Life in Treatment: Replacing Online Activities With Purposeful Engagement
We fill every day with meaningful activities and purposeful engagement to give clients meaningful goals. Time previously spent online or engaged with digital devices becomes filled with enjoyable and practical activities that build confidence, self-esteem, and accountability. Every day presents clients with new opportunities to practice self-care and adopt healthy behaviors.
Reconnection Through Nature, Movement, and Mindfulness
Our facility is located in a beautiful location near national parks. Individuals participating in our programs can spend time in nature alone or with a group, enjoying a deeper connection with the natural world.
Outdoor therapy gives individuals in recovery the following:
Outdoor therapy gives individuals in recovery the following:
- A personal way to connect with nature
- Spiritual healing
- Mindful activities
- Improved physical health
Physical health has a direct impact on emotions and mood. Outdoor activities increase movement and promote overall wellness by giving people healthy activities to focus on in a serene and restful setting.
Our Licensed RTC Program: Evidence-Based, Clinically Sophisticated, and Experiential
Our licensed residential treatment (RTC) programs provide clients with a safe and welcoming environment, enabling them to establish a solid foundation for a happier life, free from the distractions of excessive technology use. The experiential therapy we use helps clients replace unhealthy habits with positive alternatives while they develop critical skills to sustain those new behaviors.
We offer people the following:
We offer people the following:
- Space to heal from underlying issues contributing to addiction
- A strong network of peers and clinical professionals to provide emotional support
- Practical suggestions for limiting technology use in everyday routines
Clients learn to navigate challenges and life stressors without relying on technology.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options for Tech Addiction
We use an integrative approach to care that combines multiple therapeutic modalities to address addiction, mental health symptoms, and root causes of technology dependence. Our evidence-based treatment options at Legacy Outdoor Adventure include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help young adults develop healthier thought patterns
Group therapy and support groups to assist clients in finding community and accountability
Family therapy to give clients the skills to rebuild trust and involve family members in healing
Individualized treatment plans customized for each young adult
Motivational interviewing (MI) to strengthen their will to change
We also offer additional modalities, including psychiatry, holistic wellness services, and emotional regulation support.
Life After Treatment: Sustainable Coping Mechanisms
Legacy Outdoor Adventure utilizes experiential therapy and other therapeutic modalities to teach clients sustainable coping mechanisms, enabling them to maintain a healthy lifestyle after treatment. Mindfulness-based techniques and other coping skills equip individuals with the tools to establish routines and habits that minimize excessive use of technology.
Building Healthy Digital Boundaries Post-Treatment
Setting clear, healthy digital boundaries is a primary focus of technology addiction treatment. After treatment, clients must know how to recognize and avoid problematic behaviors that may lead to a relapse. Individuals with co-occurring disorders will also learn how to manage stress more effectively to reduce symptoms related to substance abuse or mental health disorders.
Emotional Regulation and Coping Mechanisms for Daily Life
After completing treatment, clients must transition back to everyday life, where they will encounter computers, phones, games, tablets, and many other smart devices on a regular basis. We provide a tailored aftercare plan to prepare clients for the transition out of structured care.
Treatment programs teach clients to develop effective strategies for avoiding reliance on technology. Legacy Outdoor Adventure also offers alumni support for individuals who have completed treatment. We ensure clients and their loved ones have experts to turn to during challenging moments in ongoing recovery.
Treatment programs teach clients to develop effective strategies for avoiding reliance on technology. Legacy Outdoor Adventure also offers alumni support for individuals who have completed treatment. We ensure clients and their loved ones have experts to turn to during challenging moments in ongoing recovery.
FAQs About Technology Addiction Treatment
Below are some frequently asked questions about our technology addiction treatment.
Do you treat social media addiction and gaming disorder?
What if my loved one doesn’t believe they have a problem?
Do you accept insurance or offer help with financing?
What’s the typical length of stay?
Why choose Legacy Outdoor Adventure for technology addiction treatment?
Technology addiction has become a more common issue as smart devices take up more and more space in people’s lives. Legacy Outdoor Adventure offers comprehensive treatment for addictive behaviors. To learn how we can assist you, please call our office today at (435) 836-2272.
