Virtual world addiction is increasingly common due to the technological world in which we currently live. New technologies are almost always present. Actions such as browsing the internet, spending time on social media, or talking on WhatsApp are situations that are part of the daily life of most people, and which, moreover, are repeated day after day, making them unable to do without their use. Whether for work or leisure, the use of devices with internet access is indispensable.
At CCAdicciones we provide a treatment to overcome addiction to new technologies. We work so that the addict can learn to lead a life without depending on a screen and manage to have a healthy relationship with new technologies.
Am I addicted to the virtual world?
Identifying a virtual world addiction can be complicated due to the normalization of new technologies. As it is a behavioral addiction—that is, without a substance—it is harder to recognize as an addiction, which is ultimately a disease. Furthermore, one must add the low perception of risk and high availability. These two factors make the detection of virtual world addiction even more difficult.
Do you have doubts about whether you might be addicted to new technologies? Do you suspect that someone in your circle might be in this situation? You should ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I need to be constantly checking my phone notifications, or else I get nervous?
- Have I stopped doing activities I enjoyed during my free time so I can spend more time connected?
- Am I able to leave my phone or the internet for as long as necessary if I have to do something else?
- Do my family or friends complain about the time I spend connected or focused on my phone?
- Am I spending more and more time using messaging apps, checking social media, watching videos, or playing games on my phone?
- Would I become very anxious if I had to spend an entire day without being able to connect or use my phone, using it only for calls?
Depending on the answers, whether “yes” or “no” predominates, they will indicate if you suffer from a dependency but not an addiction, an addiction, or if, on the contrary, you show no symptoms and are not addicted to new technologies. Take our test to check if you truly have a virtual world addiction.
How does addiction to new technologies affect us?
People who suffer from a virtual world addiction experience what is known as technostress. It is an irrational fear that technological devices will fail and they will be left without internet access. The addict may suffer from mood swings and an absolute lack of control. Addiction to everything linked to the virtual world can cause the individual to develop a personality different from who they actually are.
The effects derived from addiction to new technologies are:
- Social isolation
- Tendency toward fantasy
- Lack of communication
- Apathy and aggressiveness
- Low self-esteem
- Virtual social circle. The person feels more comfortable in a virtual environment than with a circle of real friends where they have to socialize.
- Prioritizing the computer or phone over other obligations. As a consequence, there will be a decrease in work and/or academic performance.
Furthermore, it also causes physical problems from spending so much time in front of a screen, such as:
- Headaches
- Eye problems
- Insomnia
- Back, neck, and hand pain
Prevention of virtual world addiction
Although it is almost inevitable to live apart from new technologies, it is possible to learn how to use them properly so as not to fall into a bad habit that triggers abuse and addiction. Even if an addiction has not occurred, it is always good to anticipate and prevent this disorder. Some of the recommendations to follow are:
- Limit the time spent using devices. Setting a time limit to avoid overindulgence can be a good preventive measure to avoid spending excessive time connected.
- Determine the spaces in which technology is used. Specify certain areas or moments when technology will not be used. For example, during meals or social gatherings with friends.
- Digital detox days. Spend an entire day without any technological contact, or at least as little as possible. This will serve as a kind of “detox.”
- Promote leisure activities that require human interaction. It is necessary to promote communication to know how to relate in direct face-to-face contact with people and not just through devices.
- Seek professional help. If certain signs are detected that may be suspicious of an addiction, it is advised to quickly seek professional help. The sooner the addiction is detected, the easier the recovery process will be.
Different Addictions
A virtual world addiction encompasses different types of addictions. We can distinguish the following:
- Social media. Logging into Instagram to see what photos have been uploaded and stay up to date with the latest trends, watching videos on TikTok for entertainment, or constantly monitoring the virtual world for work reasons. The reasons are diverse, but the end result can be the same: social media addiction.
- Video games. A simple entertainment, such as video games, can end up becoming an addiction. Spending hours and hours playing, even losing track of time.
- Online gambling. The internet has modified the concept of gambling addiction and has even created a new profile of the gambler. A much younger player who only needs a device with internet, a requirement met by a very high percentage. The fact of being able to play 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, facilitates access to gambling.
- Pornography. Addiction to sexual content accessed through the internet.
Treatment for Virtual World Addiction
The treatment for addiction to new technologies is carried out with personalized monitoring and through therapy. The goal is for the patient to regain total control of their life. It is conducted through a personalized treatment plan.
CCAdicciones is a clinic with specific experience in treating addiction to new technologies. It has the highest professional-to-patient ratio in Spain with a team specialized in the disease of addiction. The clinic has medical and healthcare staff available at all times. At any hour and any day. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need help to leave an addiction behind and start over. Remember, there is always a way out.
Do you find it hard to disconnect from your phone, social media, or video games?
If technology is affecting your rest, self-esteem, studies, work, relationships, or emotional well-being, seeking professional assessment may be helpful.
At CC Adicciones, we treat behavioral addictions and problematic screen use with a personalized approach, helping to restore routines, boundaries, and emotional balance.
Request confidential guidance: +34 617 200 882
We can also guide families concerned about screen use in adolescents.
Treatment for substance and non-substance addictions.
Support for patients and families.
Therapeutic plan adapted to each case.
