Discovering the Root Causes of Online Addiction

By Daniel Echols, LPC Escapingthe.com

something spiritually nourishing that provides sustainable purpose and direction. In the throes of addiction, technology becomes a surrogate meaning-maker. Replacing online addiction with a sense of purpose and authentic meaning through spiritual connection is an integral part of a return to healthy living.

Developing psychological flexibility is key for balance and health. Psychological flexibility can help you:

• BE OPEN and accepting of thoughts and feelings without needing to escape them, fix them, or be controlled by them.

Online addiction is real. Whether an individual abuses gaming, pornography or social media, the results can be the same as any addiction: loss of self, health problems, financial trouble, separation from those we love. Helping people discover and find freedom from the root causes of this growing epidemic has become my passion. Two things stand out in my work with clients: 1) a desire to change how we feel; and 2) a lack of purpose. When we have unwanted feelings that won’t go away and we don’t know what else to do, we find ways online to numb those feelings or distract ourselves. And when we don’t know what to do with our time, finding ourselves bored and without direction, it’s easy to get lost in appealing online options to pass the hours.

On the bright side, technology and screen time can be a worthwhile and meaningful tool when used in healthy service to valued activities: playing video games online with a faraway friend and bonding over the shared experience; shopping online during the holidays to save time and energy; promoting a business through social media; or taking online courses to complete a degree program.

The danger comes when technology becomes a dead end instead of a tool. When this shift occurs, screens no longer provide enrichment or meaning. Instead, they simply kill time and take life away. Typically, this change takes place when an individual is simply seeking an escape from uncomfortable feelings, some hurt or regret about the past or present, some anxiety or fear about the future. Sometimes the restless feelings come from deeper, more spiritual places within us. And when we can’t accept or embrace those uncomfortable feelings, being on a screen promises temporary emotional relief, yet the feelings return afterward and the costs escalate.

To escape from addiction at a deeper level, we must explore why we sometimes feel restless, irritable and discontent. We don’t always equate this emotional discomfort with a spiritual root cause: a lack of connection to

• BE PRESENT to each moment, attending to the world through your true, spiritual Self.

• ●DO WHAT MATTERS in accordance with your values.

We help you to escape the virtual world and reconnect with the real world, which can create a new sense of well-being, provide physical experiences and community, and improve overall health. The heart settles and the addiction is replaced with abundant life.

Tools For Discovering Your Values

Examine your value system through these lenses to help you achieve a healthy and fulfilling life.

SWEET

Discover your values by reflecting on “sweet” moments when you experienced great joy or abiding, life-giving energy. Determine which activities give you a “sweet” sense.

SOUR

Analyze the “sour” moments, too…those when we hurt after something we did, ached for something/someone missing in our lives. What is missing during these times provides info that points us to a value.

Heroes

Who are the people who have lived in a way that caught our eye and made us want to emulate them…people who had something about them that was a “light” in the world? Identifying our heroes helps us ascertain what we value.

AUTHOR

Explore your values by authoring your own life. Decide how you want to be seen in this world. Know that you are the author of your own life and can write a life filled with passion and purpose.

Like food, screen use can be healthy or unhealthy, depending on what and how much we consume. It can be a constant battle to pursue healthy online choices. If you would like help exploring the process of breaking free from problematic screen use, reach out to us at Escapingthe.com, PLLC. Visit http://Escapingthe.com or call 214-433-2721.