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I'm in therapy for my 14-hour-a-day phone addiction and I'm determined to beat it
🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Health & Science

I'm in therapy for my 14-hour-a-day phone addiction and I'm determined to beat it

From BBC News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Under investigation
  • Marios is undergoing therapy for a severe phone addiction, spending up to 14 hours a day on his device.
  • Experts note that while phone addiction isn't an official diagnosis, its prevalence is growing, with some clients prioritizing it over other treatments.
  • The addiction stems from the brain's reward system, triggered by notifications and social media interactions, leading to excessive use.

Marios is seeking professional help for a debilitating phone addiction, admitting to spending as much as 14 hours daily engrossed in his device.

This is the feeling I've had for many years: this uncontrollable need to be on my phone.

— MariosMarios describes the persistent urge to use his phone.

His struggle became apparent when, during a therapy session for his addiction, his phone pinged with a message. The overwhelming urge to respond was a familiar feeling for Marios, who described his phone as "like carrying around your own drug dealer."

While phone addiction is not yet an official medical condition, its impact is increasingly recognized. A recent survey indicated that 70% of adults feel they spend too much time on their phones. Addiction specialists report a rise in clients dependent on their devices, with some even refusing treatment for other addictions if it means surrendering their phones.

It's like carrying around your own drug dealer. My drug is always in my pocket, flashing, beeping me and reminding me to take a dose.

— MariosMarios likens his phone to a constant source of addiction.

Kelly Watson, a lead therapist at the Steps Together rehab center, explained that the addiction is rooted in the brain's reward system. Receiving notifications, likes on social media, or new information triggers a dopamine release. For some, this need for a digital "hit" becomes uncontrollable, leading to hours or even days lost to the online world.

It can affect anyone from any background. We all have phones, we all have similar brain circuitry, and so many of us can become addicted.

— Kelly WatsonThe lead therapist explains the widespread potential for phone addiction.

James, another individual undergoing treatment at a different Steps Together center, exemplifies this. He initially sought help for alcohol addiction, but his severe phone dependency became equally apparent. After losing his job, his days were consumed by endless scrolling on social media.

Part of our brains work on a reward system. We get a message, a like on social media, or even read some new information on a website and then dopamine (a chemical messenger in the brain that regulates pleasure and motivation) is released. Eventually, for some of us, the need for this hit becomes too much. It can take over, causing hours - or even days - of our lives to disappear into the online world.

— Kelly WatsonWatson explains the neurological basis of phone addiction.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by BBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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