Technology addiction: 12 steps to the rescue

Abstract

There is a fellowship organization called Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA), that embraces a 12‐step program which, as a recent article in The Guardian explains, is based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. Like alcoholics (if ADAW can be forgiven the use of that word), internet and technology addicts (there's another politically incorrect word) use their products compulsively. Launched in 2017, there are now thousands of members internationally, with meetings that are (of course) online, and some in person. Meetings involve sharing experiences and support. Unlike alcohol, however, the internet is a necessary tool for functioning, making internet addiction similar to food addiction. You can't be abstinent from eating. The internet can spawn problems like television binge‐watching, video‐gaming constantly, compulsive social media scrolling, and too much online shopping. The DSM‐5 does not recognize internet and technology addiction, but it is similar, according to research, to alcoholism and other addictions. Studies have found structural brain changes, the dopamine reward cycle, and gaming cues leading to cravings all supporting internet addiction as a category. So far, the only behavioral addiction recognized by the DSM‐5 is gaming disorder (eating disorder is not necessarily an addiction).