Break Your Internet Dependence
Break Your Internet Dependence
In modern society, use of the internet has become commonplace. Many jobs are done online, as are many leisure activities such as looking for recipes, watching movies, researching, or playing games.
But what happens when you feel like there’s no longer life outside of a screen? When you don’t feel like you can survive without screen time? This is when technology use becomes problematic.
Life doesn’t have to be that way. The internet can be a useful tool, but you do not have to feel chained to your screen.
We’re here to help you overcome pathological internet use and enjoy life offline.
What Is Internet Addiction Disorder?
While not officially in the DSM-5, an internet addiction disorder is a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive internet use.
Symptoms of an internet use disorder include compulsive internet use, irritability, agitation or anxiety when not using the internet or when no internet connection is available, excessive amounts of screen time, and headaches and eye strain from exposure to blue light.
What Causes an Internet Addiction?
Internet and technology addiction isn’t caused by one single factor, but an amalgamation of components. The growing use of the internet in everyday life combined with underlying mental illness such as depression and anxiety may play a role.
Signs of internet addiction, copious hours in internet chat rooms, disregarding self-care activities like showering, eating, or getting dressed and instead using that time to play computer games, a compulsive need to use the computer, smartphone, or surf the internet, the inability to focus on the present moment, endless scrolling on social networking sites, and forgoing sleep to use the internet.
What Treatment Options are Available for Internet Addiction?
If you or a loved one are suffering from the effects of technology addiction, there is hope. Treatment of internet addiction may include psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and adjunct therapies such as Trauma Informed Yoga and Equine Therapy.
For those who have tried to recover from internet addiction on their own and have not seen success, treatment programs like those at The Heights Treatment are available.
Our Levels of Care for Internet Addiction Treatment at Our Treatment Center
At The Heights Treatment, we believe that in order to fully heal, you need treatments that empower your autonomy. Our treatment programs occur during the day so that patients have the flexibility to commit themselves to treatment while tending obligations outside of recovery in the evenings.
Our treatment programs for technology addiction are:
Individualized Intensive Program (IIP)
IIP is ideal for patients transitioning from a higher level of treatment or an inpatient program. This program offers evidence-based modalities and an integrative approach, but patients still have the flexibility to balance their recovery with responsibilities at work, home, or school.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A PHP is an intensive level of outpatient care that’s ideal for patients transitioning from a residential treatment program or IIP. Patients still have the flexibility to tend to work, home, or school but benefit from a structured environment for treatment and care in our welcoming rehab center in Houston.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP is a good fit for patients who have completed IIP or inpatient treatment but may need more rigorous care than an outpatient program. This program can help patients who have taken the first step toward recovery on their own and need more long-term support, treatment, and accountability.
Outpatient Program (OP)
Mental health treatment programs provide evidence-based behavioral health therapy and psychiatry. A positive community of peer support, family therapy sessions, and a compassionate staff with an individualized, strategic plan. Patients learn skills like positive awareness, coping skills, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness in regular therapy sessions.
Therapies & Interventions for Internet Addiction
Whole-person healing is the key to long term recovery. At The Heights Treatment, we implement modalities that are evidence-based, meaning that there is clear scientific data to support their efficacy.
Our treatment programs include a combination group therapy and individual therapy to help you gain the life and coping skills you need to lead an addiction-free life.
Our therapies include:
FAQs About Internet Addiction Treatment
We’ve answered some of your most common questions about internet addiction and internet addiction treatment.
What are the Types of Internet Addiction?
Addiction and recovery are unique to each individual. Types of internet usage addiction include cybersex addiction, online gaming addiction, social media addiction, and compulsions to participate in other online activities, such as online gambling and gaming.
What Is The Difference Between Binge-Watching And Internet Addiction?
The concept of “binge watching” is when someone spends a significant amount of time watching online media. The difference between binge watching and an internet addiction is when the binge watching becomes compulsive and interferes with daily life.
If you find that you can’t stop binge watching and that you are forgoing your other responsibilities to consume media, you may have a technology addiction.
How Do You Stop An Addiction To The Internet?
An internet addiction can be approached like any other addiction–with intentional, holistic treatment. The first step in recovering from any addiction is to recognize that there is a problem and decide that you must make a change.
Once you have made the decision to change, the next step is to seek help by scheduling a consultation with an addiction center. During your initial consultation, an admissions specialist will ask you a series of questions to determine whether or not you are a candidate for treatment at the facility, confirm your benefits with your insurance company, and evaluate your need for detox.
Once any necessary detox is complete, your treatment team will create an individualized plan for you that includes several different healing modalities.
What Are The Most Helpful Treatment Methods For Internet Addiction?
There is no one answer for the most helpful treatment for internet addiction. Depending on your unique circumstances, communication style, and personality, you might find one therapy more beneficial than another. For example, you might find that talk therapy like CBT or DBT is most helpful for you, while someone else with an internet addiction might discover that Equine Therapy or Art Therapy are more beneficial.
How Long Does Internet Addiction Treatment Last?
Recovery looks different for everyone. Some people will complete a recovery program in several weeks, while others need more time in a recovery environment. Your treatment team will closely monitor your progress to advance you through different levels of care at a pace that is most effective to your recovery.
What Is The Percentage Of People Who Are Addicted To Technology?
It is estimated that 1 in 8, or 12.5% of Americans are affected by a technology addiction[1], although this number may be much higher. The prevalence of internet and device use among children, adolescents, and young adults is staggering, and using the internet has become a part of daily life for most Americans.
Many people may be suffering from technology addiction without realizing that their internet use is excessive and unhealthy.
What are the Side Effects of Internet Addiction Disorder?
Internet use disorder can have damaging side effects both physically and psychologically.
Someone who suffers from internet addiction may experience physical health issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic back pain, eye strain, headaches, and weight changes due to sedentary lifestyle–which can lead to a host of additional health concerns.
Psychological side effects of internet addiction may be depression, anxiety, and turning to substance use to help quell these negative feelings.
Other side effects may include social isolation, job loss, and damaged relationships.
The Heights Treatment: Overcome Problematic Internet Use
If you or a loved one are suffering from an internet or technology addiction, it can seem like there is no end in sight and no light at the end of the tunnel. Internet addiction can be all-consuming, but there is a better way to live.
Call and speak with an admissions specialist today to learn more about life-changing treatment programs that can help you recover from an internet addiction and regain control of your life.
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