A therapist who treats telephone dependencies says that the withdrawal symptoms that people suffer are similar to those felt by drug addicts.
Lee Fernandes, 48, is specialist in drug addiction at UKAT, an organization that offers rehabilitation treatment for people with drugs, alcoholism and even “behavioral” dependencies – like play , game and internet.
Fernandes says that in the past five years, he has experienced a significant increase in telephone, technological and social media dependencies – with one of his recent customers who spend between 15 and 17 hours a day on YouTube.
And those who try to quit smoking can suffer from withdrawal symptoms which are as serious as those felt by drug addicts trying to leave heroin – such as tremors, sweating and insomnia.
Fernandes, who lives in London, said: “We often see dependencies to drugs develop when an individual begins by using a recreational medication – and gradually becomes more and more.
“The same can happen with telephone additions. Someone can start using social media for fun. And it is a socially acceptable habit – it is therefore plausible that you can use Instagram to see what your friends do or use LinkedIn for work reasons.
“But suddenly, you are the first thing in the morning and the last thing in the evening. Suddenly, which had to be a quick 10 -minute look turns into hours of scrolling.
“It is starting to affect your life. You are late at an appointment because you were lost scrolling – or you don’t connect with your partner because someone is too much on their phone.
“It can become something that people use to adapt. Maybe each time a person is sad, stressed, or even bored, they find herself on his phone.
“And so it starts to take over a little before suddenly, it’s a real problem.
“A young man with whom I worked used to enjoy Youtube. But when he came to see me – he was on this for 15 to 17 hours a day. »»
Fernandes says that people who become dependent on their phone may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce their use – similar to drug addicts.
He said, “You see him with children when parents remove their phone. They become irritable and angry, and their moods are generally weak.
“But it can be worse. One of my colleagues dealt with a drug addict and he came for a hospital rehabilitation, which meant that he was completely cut.
“The effects were enormous. He was sweating, trembling, unable to sleep.
“These are the same symptoms as a heroine weaning.”
According to Fernandes, people revolve to their phones and social media for a quick blow of dopamine – a hormone that stimulates your mood.
However, he warns that doing this can actually “burn” reward centers in our brain – which makes other activities more difficult.
He said: “Dopamine active the reward center in our brain and this is supposed to be done through something that requires a little effort.
“It can be to learn something – or do an activity. A hobby you love.
“Even spend time with friends, because it requires thought and conversation.
“But the use of your phone produces instant dopamine without the challenge – and that actually burns the reward centers in your brain.
“It makes it more difficult to enjoy daily things.
“I think about it a lot. On the tube, people read a book or crossed a newspaper.
“Now almost everyone is on their phone.
“Sometimes it’s a good thing to get bored.”
For those who seek to beat their dependence on the phone, Fernandes says that you must first understand what is your “trigger”.
He said, “Are you going on your phone when you are worried in social situations?
“Do you use it when you feel sad or bored?”
“Identify this, then try to find other behaviors that can replace it.
“Can you call a friend instead?” Or maybe take a walk or watch a movie.
“For some people, it is a question of making cold turkey. Simply delete social media applications on your phone.
“For others, it’s about changing habits. Try not to go to your phone for the first or last hour of the day – and make sure you get dopamine other sources.
“People have to remember that social media is not real. Your life is.
Fernandes says that he would not necessarily plead for the ban on social media – but urged parents to reconsider how much they allow their children to use it.
He said, “Technology and Internet are of course there to stay. And they can be useful.
“But it’s about managing it.
“I think that the ban on Australia’s social media for those under 16 is a good idea. Let our young people develop without technology.
“We want them to have a life outside their phones.
“I think we just have to remember that for decades, they told us that smoking does not cause cancer.
“People behind social media – they have a product for sale. They will market it in a positive way.
“So we have to make our own decisions about it.”