Tech Addiction: A Silent Battle for Control

Lauren's story begins with a Nintendo 64, but it quickly spirals into a much larger issue. As a child, she prioritized gaming over friends and homework, a habit that grew into a full-blown addiction. By high school, her tech use was so severe that she barely graduated. She felt driven but couldn't understand why she kept neglecting her responsibilities. Lauren didn't realize she was addicted to the internet and technology. She thought it was anxiety or depression. But the truth was, her addiction made her life miserable. She'd scroll for hours, neglect her apartment, and ignore basic needs like eating and sleeping. Life felt unbearable, like a living nightmare. ITAA, or Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous, changed everything. This 12-step program, inspired by Alcoholics Anonymous, helped Lauren recognize her addiction and take control. She's been in recovery for three years now and has finally achieved sobriety. ITAA doesn't aim for complete abstinence from technology. Instead, members identify their "bottom lines"—the specific websites or devices that trigger their addiction—and cut those out. Meetings are held over Zoom and in-person, with members sharing their stories and celebrating milestones. Tom, another ITAA member, found the meetings incredibly helpful. He's been sober from compulsive internet use for four months. Like Lauren, he struggled with suicidal thoughts due to his addiction. He compares it to a substance addiction, saying, "It's like heroin to me. " Dr. Timothy Fong, a UCLA addiction psychiatrist, notes that internet and technology addiction is often overshadowed by other addictions. It's unclear how widespread the problem is, but it's clear that for some, the internet can be highly addictive. He suggests taking stock of your tech use and considering its impact on your life. Lauren's journey highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing tech addiction. With ITAA's support, she's learned to use technology in a way that serves her life, not controls it.