If you haven’t heard already, recently there was a Solstice 20/20 episode about how we deal with digital addiction in our program. Our technological advancements have bettered the lives of many, but there’s always some fallout from new things–that doesn’t make it bad, it just means we have to learn to identify the issue and treat it well.
This is exactly what we talk about in the Solstice 20/20 episode. How we help girls and assigned female at birth who have formed unhealthy attachments to technology work through their issue and find a healthier, sustainable way to use the digital tools given to us to improve their lives.
What is digital addiction?
First, let’s go over what an addiction is. The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction:
“Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response…This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.”
While addiction is most commonly thought to be with substances, it can also be with behaviors. A behavior such as using technological devices–like a smartphone.
When your teen has an extreme compulsion to always have their phone around and use it for at least a minimum amount daily, there’s probably an issue. Especially if that compulsion is getting in the way of their interpersonal relationships and wellbeing.
What is discussed in the Solstice 20/20 episode?
In the Solstice 20/20 episode, we go through one of our students’ experiences with digital addiction. Before coming to Solstice, they struggled with an strong dependency on their cell phone. They would constantly use their phone–texting, posting on various social media platforms, and spending hours and hours of their real life focused on their digital life.
This unhealthy use began to get in the way of relationships with the important people in their life. Her parents–like many–tried to lower their use by taking away their phone, but that seemed to just make matters worse.
She began to act out and get involved with dangerous sides of the internet. After their parents discovered a suicide note by accident, they enrolled their in Solstice to put their on a path to recovery.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but they and their family feel that they have gained a stronger sense of self-awareness, accountability, and overall wellbeing.
In response to a question about their progress, they responded:
“I can be by myself and be okay and I’m reconnecting with a lot of things I love. And I don’t feel empty.”
Solstice is here for your daughter
Solstice is a groundbreaking residential treatment center for girls, ages 14 to 18. Our girls and assigned female at birth often grapple with depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral problems when they come to us.
Through a unique combination of therapeutic programs based upon both traditional and holistic mental health treatment, we treat our clients with age and gender specific techniques. We strive to empower teenage people with the ability to believe in themselves and provide the tools and motivation required to instill these beliefs for life.
For more information about how we help at Solstice, please contact us at (866) 278-3345.
