For decades, the world downplayed the increasing waves of alcohol abuse. And somehow ignored the warning signs for what became a deadly worldwide tobacco problem. Now, we are in the middle of a widespread opiod epidemic that, once again, caught us by surprise.    

We could have seen those problems coming. The warning signs were there, the risks evident. Yet we not only ignored the danger of the substances and behaviors involved—we marketed them!

We should learn from our past failures to spot these large-scale issues before they get out of control. Because, if we catch such a plague early enough, we may be able to do something about it. What will be the next Addiction epidemic? And are there things we can do to prevent it?

What is the Next Addiction Epidemic?

No one knows for sure what the next epidemic will be. But one possibility is Digital addiction.

Wait a minute! Cell phones, the internet, and social media are good things. What’s the problem?

The issue is that the abuse of personal technology devices has many of the same characteristics as other addictions. And many of the dangers as well, in many cases causing significant mental health issues and becoming, at times, life-threatening.

Technology addiction impacts the same area of the brain as drugs and alcohol. About 1 in ten people have progressed to the level of dependence on technology. (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation)

The evidence continues to mount validating the scope of the problem:

• Too much smartphone use leads to higher anxiety and depression. (University of Chicago)
• Heavy internet users are 5 times more likely to suffer from depression. (BBC News)
• Heavy social media users are twice as likely to report experiencing social isolation. (American Journal of Preventative Medicine)
• Excessive screen time damages brain function. (Psychology Today)
• Over 200 peer-reviewed studies correlate excessive screen usage with clinical disorders, including addiction. (New York Times)
• 6% of the world’s population is addicted to the internet, and that figure minimizes the problem since only 39% of the world has internet access. (Business Insider)

And, since distracted driving is largely attributed to the use of digital devices, lives are at risk:

• Driver distraction causes 58% of teen crashes. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety)
• Cell phone users are 5 times more likely to get into an accident. (University of Utah)
• Text messaging increases the risk of crash by 23 times. (US Department of Transportation)

The use, and abuse, of personal technology devices is expanding rapidly. Digital addiction is real, and it can be dangerous. It is, perhaps, the next Addiction Epidemic. 

I’ve worked with hundreds of heroin addicts and crystal meth addicts, and what I can say is that it’s easier to treat a heroin addict than a true screen addict. (Dr. Nicholas Kardaras in Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids)

What Makes This Epidemic Different?

The growing phenomenon of digital addiction has many of the same characteristics as other dependence issues, but it also has some striking differences.  

Digital devices are used by virtually everyone all the time. Therefore, the growing abuse of them is an addiction hiding in plain sight. Perhaps because there are so many positive uses of technology, many people aren’t even aware there is a problem at all.

The use of technology just doesn’t seem dangerous, and normal usage is fine (except with distracted driving). Unlike drugs or alcohol, even cigarettes to some degree, people don’t have to hide what they are doing. It is generally only extended over-use that creates a problem.  

There is nothing illegal involved with digital devices. They are sold everywhere and marketed heavily. And there is one other difference with this “substance of choice.” The people encouraging its use and supplying the product are not drug pushers—they are often schools and parents!

In today’s world, there is a growing tendency for people to adopt compulsive behaviors. And it is possible that the abuse of digital devices could become the next addiction epidemic. Partly because very few people are doing anything to prevent it. Instead, they are helping spread it!

Question: Do you believe digital addiction causes problems with some people? 

Action: Read Part 2 of this article coming next week, especially if you are a parent.   

Photo by hitchinssamson Photo by JeepersMedia

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