Technology addicts suffer same withdrawal symptoms as heroin addicts, therapist finds

A therapist who treats phone addictions says the withdrawal symptoms people suffer are similar to those experienced by drug addicts.

Lee Fernandes, 48, is an Addiction Specialist at UKAT, an organization which offers in-patient rehab treatment for people struggling with drug issues, alcoholism, and even ‘behavioural’ addictions – such as gambling, gaming, and the Internet. 

Fernandes says that in the last five years he has seen a significant rise in phone, technology, and social media addictions – with one of his recent clients spending between 15 and 17 hours a day on YouTube.

And, those who try to quit can suffer from withdrawal symptoms which are as serious as those experienced by drug users trying to quit heroin – such as shaking, sweating, and insomnia. 

Fernandes, who lives in London, said: “We often see narcotics addictions develop when an individual starts by using a drug recreationally – and then gradually becomes more and more dependent on it. 

“The same can happen with phone additions. Someone may start using social media for fun. And it’s a socially acceptable habit – so it’s plausible that you may be using Instagram to see what your friends are doing, or using LinkedIn for work reasons. 

“But then suddenly you’re on it first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. Suddenly, what was meant to be a quick 10 minute look turns into hours of scrolling. 

“It starts to affect your life. You’re late to an appointment because you were lost scrolling – or you’re not connecting with your partner because someone is on their phone too much. 

“It can become something people use to self-soothe. Maybe whenever a person is sad, or stressed, or even bored, they find themselves on their phone. 

“And so it starts to take over bit by bit before suddenly it’s a real problem. 

“One young man I worked with used to enjoy YouTube. But by the time he came to me – he was on it for 15 to 17 hours a day.” 

Fernandes says that people who become addicted to their phones can experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce their usage – similar to drug addicts. 

He said: “You see it with kids when parents take their phones away. They become irritable and angry, and their moods are generally low. 

“But it can be worse. A colleague of mine was treating a gaming addict and he came in for in-patient rehab which meant he was completely cut off. 

“The effects were huge. He was sweating, shaking, unable to sleep. 

“Those are the same symptoms as a heroine withdrawal.” 

According to Fernandes, people gravitate to their phones and social media for a quick hit of dopamine – a hormone that boosts your mood. 

However, he warns that doing this can actually “burn out” the rewards centers in our brain – making it more difficult to enjoy other activities. 

He said: “Dopamine activates the rewards centre in our brain and that’s meant to be done through something that requires a little bit of effort. 

“This may be learning something – or doing an activity. A hobby that you enjoy. 

“Even hanging out with friends, as that requires thought and conversation. 

“But using your phone produces instant dopamine without the challenge – and that actually burns out the rewards centers in your brain. 

“That makes it more difficult to enjoy everyday things. 

“I think about it a lot. On the tube, people used to be reading a book or flicking through a newspaper. 

“Now almost everyone is on their phone. 

“Sometimes, it’s a good thing to be bored.” 

For those looking to beat their phone addiction, Fernandes says you must first figure out what your “trigger” is. 

He said: “Do you go on your phone when you’re anxious in social situations? 

“Do you use it when you’re feeling sad or bored?

“Identify that and then try to find other behaviours that can replace this. 

“Can you phone a friend instead? Or maybe go for a walk or watch a film.

“For some people, it’s about going cold turkey. Just delete the social media apps from your phone. 

“For others, it’s about changing habits. Try not to go on your phone for the first or last hour of the day – and make sure you’re getting dopamine from other sources.

“People need to remember that social media is not real. Your life is.”

Fernandes says he wouldn’t necessarily advocate for banning social media – but urged parents to reconsider how much they allow their children to use it. 

He said: “Technology and the internet are of course here to stay. And they can be useful. 

“But it’s about managing it.

“I think Australia’s ban of social media for under 16s is a good idea. Let our youngsters’ brains develop without technology. 

“We want them to have lives outside of their phones. 

“I think we just need to remember that for decades they told us smoking doesn’t cause cancer. 

“The people behind social media – they have a product to sell. They’re going to market it in a way that’s positive. 

“So we have to make our own decisions on that.”