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The excessive use of social media and the internet can hurt your well-being. At Sierra Recovery, we help people with social media addiction so that they can live a more fulfilling life.
Is Social Media Addiction Serious?
Yes, social media addiction is serious. One study in the UK found that in 2023, around 48% of social media users aged 16 to 18 reported feeling addicted to social media.
However, the signs that someone is facing a social media or internet addiction aren’t always evident. This is why it can be easy to brush off the disorder.
When you spend all your time preoccupied with what’s online and how you’re perceived on your social media pages, it will manifest in your life. Comparisons with others can trigger feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and depression.
You may start neglecting your responsibilities to keep using social media. Or, you may start feeling extra conscious about what you do in your daily life because you’re trying to keep a persona online.
Benefits of Limiting Social Media Use
When you stop using social media too much, you’ll find out that many benefits come with it. One of the main benefits of doing so is better mental health. It’s easy to compare yourself to others while going through social media. You can see what other people are achieving or what your friends buy.
While it’s possible to be happy for them, you might get lost in the comparison and forget that social media is a highlight reel that, a lot of times, hides the reality of life. By limiting your social media use, you can decrease feelings of inadequacy and be more in tune with yourself.
Limiting social media use can also result in better productivity. Studies have shown adolescents with ADHD symptoms have shown excessive use of social media platforms. Decreasing your time online can help improve your focus and attention span.
Signs and Symptoms of Social Media Addiction
Social media addiction will look different for everyone, and learning about its different signs and symptoms can help you know when it’s time to get help for it.
Excessive Time on Social Media
A social media addiction isn’t just checking your phone every now and then for notifications and updates. It can manifest in spending more time than initially planned, scrolling through your feed, or feeling restless when you aren’t able to check your notifications. You may not even feel like hours have passed when you have a social media addiction because you’ve been “sucked in” into the world on your phone or computer.
Neglecting Responsibilities
When you have a social media addiction, you tend to prioritise going on social media over your other responsibilities. In some cases, it can even be difficult to get up and get going because you’re glued to your phone. Sleeping later and later because you cannot put your phone down can add to the exhaustion you feel the day after. As a result, you miss deadlines and forget other important obligations.
Craving Validation
Social media addiction affects people mentally, and it usually comes in the form of craving validation from others. Some people may constantly go and check their social media for likes and comments.
Sadly, if they don’t get enough validation, they may feel disappointed or worthless about themselves. This can result in people constantly crafting a life online that aims to get the attention of others.
Physical Symptoms
In some cases, excessive social media use can also result in physical symptoms. The blue light from your phone or computer can result in headaches or eye strain. Sometimes, the entertainment on your phone can be so amusing at night that you end up being sleep-deprived and struggling with the effects of the lack of sleep. This can affect overall productivity and ability to absorb new information.
How to Manage Social Media Addiction
Trying to manage social media addiction can be difficult, especially at a time when everyone seems to be always online. Here are some tips on being more mindful about your social media usage.
Set Time Limits
Many phones nowadays have a setting where you can set time limits on your social media usage. If not, there are also apps for you to do it. Once you’ve hit your limit for the day, your phone or the app will send you a notification about it. It’s also possible to lock a social media for the rest of the day when you’ve hit your limit for it for the day. This way, you don’t spend too much time scrolling through your social media anymore.
Find Other Healthier Habits
Social media addiction can usually come from a lack of other activities in your life. If you find that you spend too much time on social media, then maybe it’s time to look for other healthier alternatives. You may try exploring offline hobbies, such as physical exercise or reading so that you don’t rely on social media to pass the time.
Try a Digital Detox
If possible, try doing a digital detox. This is when you don’t use social media for a set amount of time. It’s a way to feel more free from social media so that you can slowly live a life that’s not plagued by the apps on your phone. There’s no need to go big when trying a social media detox, though. When trying a digital detox, always try to start small since it’s more manageable. Then, you can work your way towards longer times.
Do Some Self-Reflection
Some self-reflection can also be good if you feel like you use social media to combat negative emotions. Boredom, loneliness, and stress can all make you turn to social media and the dopamine rush it gives to fill the void. Knowing when you’re using social media as a coping mechanism for negative emotions can help you develop healthier ways to deal with these feelings.
Professional Treatment for Social Media Addiction
At Sierra Recovery, we take social media addictions seriously and offer professional treatments for them. Our team is here to help you address this problem through the following:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), rely on evidence-based approaches to help you manage a social media addiction. During therapy, you’ll work with a mental health professional to address the problem and understand its possible underlying causes. They have the right knowledge and tools to help you overcome the addiction.
Support Groups
Support groups can also help you if you’re addicted to social media. During meetings, you’ll share your personal experiences as well as hear stories from other people’s journeys. These group therapies are also great for realising that you’re not alone in your struggles and learning about new ways to cope with the addiction.
Holistic Approaches
Holistic approaches help you explore possible interests aside from going on social media. Whether it’s yoga, mindfulness, or art, Sierra Recovery can help you discover new passions that can help you live a more meaningful life. Our team facilitates different holistic workshops so that you don’t feel controlled by social media use anymore.
Do I Need Help for Social Media Addiction?
Although social media is not yet a recognised addiction, it can still have a negative impact on your own well-being. As such, it’s highly recommended to seek help for social media addiction once you notice that you’re dealing with the said problem.
One thing about social media addiction is that it can look like you’re just mindlessly scrolling on your phone. However, many social media platforms are designed to hold your attention. As you scroll more, your sleep, focus, and productivity are all going to be affected.
Getting help is important because it’s a way to control the problem before it affects other parts of your life. Remember that seeking help is self-care and that it’s one step towards feeling better about yourself.
Comprehensive Care for Behavioural Addictions
Behavioural addictions should also be treated like other addictions, such as substance abuse and alcoholism. Just because there is no physical substance involved doesn’t mean that the addiction isn’t real.
At Sierra Recovery, we acknowledge that these are compulsive and need professional help. Our comprehensive care ensures that we also provide the attention you need to heal and recover.
We don’t brush off problems like these. We take the time to understand what you’re going through and create a detailed, personalised treatment to help you achieve your goals.
We’ll Help You Be in Control of Your Life
Being addicted to social media can slowly feel like it’s impossible to overcome. Constantly feeling like you want to scroll through your phone or look at new updates can be tough on your mental health.
We’re here to say that there’s a way out of the negative cycle. Sierra Recovery is always ready to help you. We provide treatment for social media addiction and other addictions that make you feel like you’ve lost control of the direction of your life.
Our team is always available to help you through email or call. There’s always going to be someone here who is ready to answer your questions and help you feel like you’re the captain of your own ship again.
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