Today, even a few hours without a smartphone can seem virtually impossible. Many parents may joke that their teenagers are addicted to their smartphones. Unfortunately, smartphone addiction is real and prevalent among teens today. Considered a process of addiction, the compulsive use of a smartphone can negatively affect a teenager’s mental and physical wellbeing. Because smartphone addiction is becoming more common, there are now teen smartphone addiction treatment programs.
If you’re worried about your son’s smartphone use, call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today. Our staff is ready to answer your questions about process addiction treatment. Call us today at 866.300.5275 or visit us online for more information.
When Is Smartphone Use a Process Addiction?
Smartphones have become a significant part of modern living. While smartphones are a valuable and innovative tool, they can also lead to process addictions. A process addiction is a compulsive behavior that may have adverse effects. Process addictions involving video games, the internet, social media, and smartphones are increasingly common. Often this compulsive behavior is a way for teens to self-soothe and avoid emotional or psychological pain. Signs your teen might have a process addiction include:
- Constant smartphone use despite its negative effects, like trouble sleeping
- Social media use despite changes in mood after scrolling
- Obsessive over a video game, what someone posted on Twitter, or what they will post
- Anxiety, anger, and mood swings when they cannot access social media, smartphones, or video games
Smartphones are often necessary and keep us connected with loved ones around the world. However, smartphone apps and social media are designed to give users a similar spike in dopamine they receive from drug use. When a person receives a comment or meets their daily exercise goal, their brain releases the pleasure chemical called dopamine. Dopamine rushes can become addictive, especially when avoiding difficult emotions. Some smartphone apps for health, calorie counting, and fitness can contribute to both process addiction and disordered eating. Knowing what apps your son uses most frequently can help you understand what they’re going through.
The Importance of Teen Smartphone Addiction Treatment
Smartphones are a modern miracle. However, taking time away from smartphones and forcing teens to leave them behind can reduce stress, improve sleep, and let teens live in the present moment. Smartphone addiction is often a sign of other underlying mood disorders or mental health disorders in need of attention. Addiction treatment programs for teens use dual diagnosis treatment to diagnose and address mental health disorders alongside process addiction. While a process addiction like smartphone use may seem less harmful than drug or alcohol abuse, it can have long-term effects.
When the dopamine rush of a process addiction is no longer satisfying enough, it’s common to engage in other self-soothing behaviors like drugs, alcohol, or self-harm. For many teenagers, smartphone use can be detrimental to their mental health and contribute to underlying mood disorders. Like any addiction recovery, smartphone addiction begins with detox. With the help of qualified therapists, today’s teens are getting the help they need to put down the smartphone and heal deeper wounds.
Find Treatment for Your Teen at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
Because smartphones are a crucial part of daily life, it’s hard to know when a smartphone habit becomes an addiction. If you’ve tried to limit your teenager’s smartphone use without success, it’s time to call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. Our clinic helps adolescent men recover from process addiction alongside co-occurring disorders. With a range of alternative therapies and traditional talk therapy, our clients experience the benefits of holistic healing. Call us at 866.300.5275 today to learn more about teen smartphone addiction.
