Category: Articles

Links Between Social Media Abuse and Substance Abuse.

Touching Lives

Substance abuse in some form has touched nearly every family in the world. Whether a loved one is addicted or a friend’s loved one has a problem, addiction has touched most lives. There is no single cause for addiction, though there are warning signs. Those warning signs may not be exactly what many think. One of the newer concerns comes from social media abuse.

Social Media Abuse

Social media has offered the ability for people to easily connect to others whether in the same room or across the world. The downside is that you can be who you want on social media. This means that the person posting pictures may or may not be being honest. Additionally, people can be bold and say whatever is on their mind to or about someone. Social Media can give you the feeling that there is no consequences. Since the words are on a screen, they do not give a visual reaction of how they make the person on the receiving end feels. This all leads directly to social media abuse. 

Another problem is that undesirable behaviors can be made to seem commonplace and safe on social media. When a teenager is inundated with images of people having fun drinking or using drugs, it can make the behaviors seem safer or more desirable. This makes monitoring teen behavior online that much more important. 

Social Media Use

As of 2015, most teens were online ‘almost constantly’ and at least ¾ used more than one social networking site. Social media use has already been associated with mental health problems such as depression, eating disorders, and even sleep problems. This is because social media tends to show only a snapshot. Although teens use that snapshot as a form of comparison.

Due to a lack of laws, teens are allowed to share nearly anything they desire on social media. This leaves them and the recipients vulnerable and exposed. This is not only true for information sharing, but glamorizing drug and alcohol use. This glamorization by celebrities is unchecked on social media. There have been some reports of hashtags being used to connect underage users. They have been linked with people who will provide cigarettes and alcohol. Even illegal drugs have been found.

Previous studies have found that teens who use social media are more likely to see photos of others passed out or under the influence of substances. This in turn makes them more likely to try age inappropriate or illegal substances when compared to peers who do not use social media.

What Does this Mean

If you are a parent of a teen then this data may be troublesome. However, it can be impossible to keep teenagers off of social media when it has become such a part of everyday life. So how do you deal with the inundation of social media into their lives? The answers are pretty simple. Talk to your teenagers about social media, about drugs and alcohol, and monitor accounts.

If your teenager is online, you should know what they are doing. If your teen is not posting or surfing inappropriate sites, then this should not be problematic. Be open and honest with your teen about the safety issues surrounding online behavior and the use of drugs and alcohol.

If you find your teen has already formed a drug or alcohol addiction or is taking part in risky behaviors, seek help. One on one counseling for mild cases or inpatient treatment at centers such as DARA can help get your teen back on track and living an addiction free life.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Smartphone Addiction: Are You Addicted?

A Daily Need

Twenty years ago it would have been shocking to see people refusing to interact in person because the phone was more important. However, today Smartphones have become an extension of the human body for many. It is rare to meet someone without access to a Smartphone in most developed countries. Smartphones literally put a world of information, good, bad, and pointless at your fingertips. Additionally, Smartphones allow users to communicate instantly, play games, listen to music, and connect with those thousands of miles away. Smartphones definitely have their place and usefulness in the world. But when the Smartphone becomes a necessary part of your daily life, or feeling like you are lost without it, then a problem exists.

Are You Addicted?

Smartphone addiction, just as other addictions means you have a need to engage with the item, or substance, at all times. Consider it this way, have you ever left home without your Smartphone and began to panic? Have you ever avoided interacting with those you know and love to spend time using your phone in some manner? Perhaps you have attended a social gathering, and instead of talking to someone in person, used your phone to connect? This could point to a Smartphone addiction for many.

Some people cannot go any length of time without using their Smartphone. It can make them feel anxious, disconnected, alone, and possibly lost. They may feel disconnected from family, friends, and an online identity if unable to connect for even a few hours. This signifies a possible addiction. Remember, addiction is defined as a need to interact or use a substance, thing, or engage in an activity regardless of the negative consequences. Continually using a Smartphone in spite of the lack of real social interaction or avoiding work, school, or other activities to spend time on your phone is a significant indicator of addiction.

Breaking Free

While a Smartphone, tablet, or computer can be a highly productive and useful tool, compulsive use can interfere with school, relationships, and even work over time. With increased use addictions and compulsions with virtual relationships, information overload, cybersex, and other online compulsion can also become problematic. This is true for the same reasons drugs and alcohol can become addictive. This means that you may need treatment to break the Smartphone addiction.

Humans are meant to be social and taking part in face to face interaction can help control a need to interact online. You will need to build healthy coping skills instead of retreating to the online world. It’s important to recognize Smartphone use as a compulsive behavior that is completed without real thought. You may need to create a step by step plan to meet these goals.

Seek Help

To break free of your Smartphone addiction you may need to seek professional help. Your Smartphone is literally within reach at all times. This means you may disregard things that need to be completed to spend more time with your phone. A professional can help you recognize your triggers when it comes to Smartphone use. If you reach for your phone when you are lonely, bored, depressed, stress, and angry then these conditions need to find another outlet. You will also need to understand the difference in interacting in person and online.

Start by setting goals for your phone use. Such as fifteen minutes of phone time after all work is completed. Learn to turn off your phone certain times of the day, while at work or during dinner with the family is a great start. Replace phone use with healthier activities and limit the number of times you check it throughout the day. These paired with other professional suggestions can help you break the habit and get back to real life.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Internet Gaming Addiction.

Addiction Defined

Almost everyone in existence today has been touched by addiction in some manner. Addition is defined as the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity in the dictionary. Technically, this means that anything you become addicted or obsessed with to the point that it negatively affects other aspects of your life can be deemed an addiction.

Because the term addiction has become so common place it is somewhat overused. While you can become addicted to anything, only certain addictions are recognized as actual addictions by the psychological community. That being said, psychology is ever evolving as the Internet and Internet gaming did not exist 50 years ago, so there was no need to consider it an addiction.

Through technological advancements the majority of the world now has access to such things as the Internet and online gaming, making an addiction to such possible. This means that the psychological community has started researching and is considering including Internet gaming as a form of treatable addiction. 

Internet Gaming Addiction

Currently Internet gaming is not yet a recognized addiction, although it is only a matter of time. Research suggests that between 6 and 15 percent of gamers show signs that would qualify as addiction. The disorder itself can be difficult to recognize. There are a few symptoms that may help you identify someone with a gaming addiction. With two main types of video games, single player standard games and multiplayer online games, the focus for this article will be on multiplayer online games.

Multiplayer online games require interaction from others to play the game. These type of games are played online with others, and have no real ending. This is what makes them highly addictive. Gamers interested in this type of game typically enjoy becoming a character they have created for the online community. These gamers often build online relationships with fellow gamers and feel highly accepted in that community. Even though in many cases they have rarely met outside of the game.

Cause

There are a number of factors that could play into a video game addiction. Addiction is partially created because this is what the games are created to accomplish. Game creators are in the creation business to make a profit. The more people that play and the longer they play; the more likely a profit is earned. The games are difficult enough to be challenging and engaging. Yet easy enough to continue moving forward in the game. Success always feels just out of reach, but with small victories that can be made. Much like those with a gambling addiction.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a gaming disorder or addiction can vary. They fall into both physical and emotional areas of life. Emotional symptoms include restlessness or irritability when not able to play. Lying to others about time spent playing. Preoccupation with thoughts about gaming, and isolation from others to play games. The physical symptoms can also be obvious. They can include fatigue, migraines from eyestrain and screen time, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even poor hygiene. It’s easily ignored to play the game.

These effects combine both short and long term and can have negative consequences. Often basic things such as sleep and eating proper meals are avoided to game. This leads to health problems and isolation from others over time. Depression may also come about over time, as it’s easy to become totally isolated and focused on a single aspect of life, gaming.

Seeking Help

If you or someone you know is falling into gaming addiction or is already fully addicted, then some treatment options are available. For the most part, gaming addiction can be treated as other addictions with programs, behavioral counseling, and the limiting or avoidance of gaming. If you find yourself unable to deal with the issue alone, seek professional help to regain control of your life and break the gaming addiction for good.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

World Health Organization Recognizes Gaming Disorder as an Addiction.

What is Gaming Addiction

Addiction does not discriminate when it comes to most things. Gaming addiction tends to hit mostly children and teens between the ages of 10 and 18. Gaming addiction is a growing problem among young men and boys. Especially as video games allow for time in a fantasy environment that is often competitive and violent. This allows for gamers to take out aggression and unwind. While interacting digitally with others with a common interest.

Now a Recognized Addiction

Though parents have been concerned about their children’s growing gaming habit for the last decade, gaming addiction was not necessarily a legitimate diagnosis when it came to addiction. However, in June 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) began recognizing ‘gaming disorder’ as a diagnosable condition. There are some concerns with the decision to include it in the newest edition by psychiatric experts. Due to the fact that the research is limited. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) about 160 million American adults play video games. Although the percentage of those who would qualify for the disorder is small. Regardless, WHO has provided a list of signs and symptoms that point to gaming disorder.

Signs and Symptoms

The World Health Organization, currently the only organization recognizing gaming disorder includes the following as signs and symptoms of gaming disorder: A pattern of behavior in which gaming is out of control for at least a 12 month period with a ‘continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative consequences’. Additionally, the pattern of behavior must show that there is an increased priority given to time spent gaming So much so that daily interests and activities are ignored to game. Meaning the person’s choice of gaming affects education, relationships, or occupation. This is aligned with other addiction types where gamers would try to stop playing but could not. In spite of negative consequences and other aspects of life being negatively affected.

Though not currently recognized by the American Psychological Association, there are additional aspects of gaming disorder that have been proposed in conjunction with the WHO’s list. These include a heavy focus on Internet gaming. Withdrawal symptoms when not able to play (anxiety, irritability, and sadness). Tolerance builds up from gaming time, unsuccessful attempts to stop playing, lying about time spent playing, and use of the Internet to relieve negative moods. If these combined with the WHO’s definition are met in at least five areas, then a gaming disorder is likely.

Treatment for Gaming Disorder

Those currently seeking treatment for gaming disorder may hit road blocks. However, with recognition from the World Health Organization this could change. As gaming disorder was not previously recognized, any treatment was likely not covered by insurance. With the addition by WHO, insurances may begin covering treatment. This means mental health professionals will begin preparing to treat the disorder.

As of right now, few professionals know how to treat a disorder that has just been recognized. But as with any addiction type disorder, the treatment will likely be behavioral in treatment form. Treatment will also likely include a limiting and avoidance of video games over time. If you are concerned about a gaming disorder in yourself or your teen, seek help to curb the behavior.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Loot Boxes Gambling Addiction. Is Your Child A Gambling Addict?

What are Loot Boxes?

Loot boxes are a relatively new phenomena that are associated with video games. Loot boxes are digital grab bags that cause players to spend real money or in game currency to gain gifts for the game. The trick comes in the fact that you never know what is in the loot box. The game randomly places different types of rewards inside each box. While the actual theory behind the loot box is not new, the term is as are the featured items. Many times players can earn avatars, costumes, cosmetic items, and even voice lines for their characters. The loot boxes do not necessarily give items for the character you are using. Free loot boxes may be handed out for leveling up. However for those who choose to spend money, items can be collected faster.

While mobile games have contained similar items for some time, loot boxes add to the fun of game play through micro purchases. These loot boxes are becoming more familiar in PC and console games. Some of the more popular games with current loot boxes are Overwatch, Star Wars Battlefront II, Gears of War 4, and even Halo 5.

Gamer Issues with Loot Boxes

Some gamers equate loot boxes gambling addiction to gambling on poker machines. When you open them up, you may get something useful that you want or something unwanted and unnecessary. This is a little different from gambling, as you do always get something. This does however mean that players may have to spend more money, digital or otherwise to get to the items they want. The argument for some is that you are paying to play or paying for items that should already be in the game. Even though the transactions are often small, this is a way for game publishers to make money.

Loot Boxes Gambling Addiction

As a large portion of gamers are kids and teenagers. Some feel loot boxes are creating a type of gambling addiction for children. Gaming addiction is not a new addiction, but in the last decade, video games have become a dominant form of entertainment. Video games are available in a range of places and at almost all times for gamers. This allows gaming to become a priority in a child’s life. Easily attached as if they cannot or will not stop playing. Thus letting other activities fall by the wayside. This can quickly morph into an addiction from what was once meant to be just fun.

If a child is addicted to a game and wishes to become the highest level player or gain the most points, buying loot boxes may become more appealing. This is reinforced by the joy of leveling up. They can feel a sense of obligation to other players, or even just to further escape into a fantasy world. Gamers can even feel a strong sense of belonging to the online community. Making them want to rise up in that community through extras.

Help for Your Gamer

If you feel your teen or child has gaming addiction then seek help. This may mean limiting or cutting out screen time for your child and seeking professional help to deal with the symptoms your child is displaying. It may seem that gaming is not a true addiction, but it is very real and can keep your child from interacting and even cause withdrawal symptoms if they have to stop without warning. If your child needs help or you think a problem exists then don’t wait, seek help right away.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.