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Conditions We Treat

Social Media & Mobile Phone Addiction Rehab Treatment

Written By Stuart Croft
Reviewed By Tiffany Green
Medically Reviewed By Wajahat Choudhry
Updated January 11, 2023

Social media and mobile phone addiction, sometimes covered by the blanket terms technology-, screen-, internet-, or digital addiction, are psychological addictions seen more and more often. These conditions entail the excessive and compulsive use of digital devices and social media platforms to the detriment of one’s personal, social, and professional life. Unlike physical substance addictions, social media and phone addictions revolve around psychological reliance on digital interactions and affirmation and the constant need for digital stimulation. 

Those suffering from digital addiction often feel immediate and intense discomfort and anxiety when they are unable to access their preferred digital platforms, making them unable to enjoy normal social interactions and activities. These 21st-century addictions have led to the coining of the phrase ‘nomophobia’, a fear of being without a mobile phone.

Gladstones Clinic is one of the few private rehab clinics with a specialised department that focuses specifically on therapy for mobile phone and social media addiction rehab. Our individually tailored treatments aim to treat each patient’s behavioural patterns based on their unique addiction profile, allowing them to reengage with their loved ones and relationships in healthy and enjoyable ways.

Need help social media and mobile phone addiction?

Gladstones Clinic is one of only a handful rehab clinics offering specialised social media and mobile phone rehab treatment services

Learn more about social media and mobile phone addiction

How do social media and mobile phone addictions form?

Social media platforms have a financial incentive to keep users on their app or site for as long as possible. The more you interact with the site, the more ad revenue they earn. As such, they are designed to be as engaging as possible, always offering something new and exciting to interact with. This strategy has proven itself to be exceptionally effective at keeping users online for extended periods of time.

By allowing users to create their own online personas and then letting them interact with each other, social media users quickly form online relationships and join groups of people who share their interests and views. This online interaction, usually coupled with affirmation and positive interactions such as comments, likes, and shares, can very quickly become addictive to those who struggle to maintain healthy offline relationships or lack emotional connection with their friends or family.

When to seek help for social media and mobile phone addiction

While some social media and mobile phone use allows us to stay connected and up-to-date with our peers and the broader world around us, excessive and uncontrollable use can lead to a host of emotional, social, and psychological problems. When a compulsive need to be online interferes with your ability to function normally at school or work or maintain healthy and normal offline relationships, seeking professional help in dealing with internet addiction can help regain the status quo.

If you or a loved one has experienced these symptoms, please contact Gladstones for an obligation-free discussion on how we can help or to learn more about our social media addiction rehab programme.

What happens in social media and mobile phone addiction therapy?

1. Addiction Assessment & Consultation

The initial step at Gladstones Clinic involves assessing the extent of the addiction and its impact on your life. It also gives us the opportunity to assess you for co-occurring conditions like low self-esteem or a lack of emotional connection that further contribute to maintaining your addiction. With a comprehensive understanding of your unique set of circumstances, we can develop a personalised social media addiction treatment plan tailored to address your specific challenges and recovery goals.

2. Behavioural Therapies

Behavioural therapies are key to treating digital addiction. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps modify unhealthy patterns related to device use by teaching strategies for managing urges and developing healthier habits. Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques are also integrated to address the anxiety often associated with this addiction. Depending on your specific set of needs, your treatment might also include group therapy sessions and family therapy.

3. Addressing Underlying Issues

While social media platforms deliberately aim to be as addictive as possible, underlying issues such as social anxiety, low self-esteem, and a lack of real-world connection all contribute to seeking online escape. By addressing these issues, we can help you develop unique strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with urges that drive you online. 

A unique part of our social media addiction treatment also involves developing technology management skills. This includes steps such as setting boundaries for device usage, finding alternative activities to fill the void of reduced online interaction, and learning how to engage more with the physical world. 

4. Secondary Care, Tertiary Care, and Aftercare

Digital addiction recovery doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a focused and ongoing process that relies on continuous support to achieve long-term recovery. Gladstones Clinic provides a wide range of post-treatment programmes designed to offer you the support you need to fully recover from digital addiction.

Get professional help in dealing with social media and mobile phone addiction

When social media and mobile phone addictions start affecting your happiness and ability to meet your responsibilities, Gladstones Clinic can help you regain control and take charge of your impulses.

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