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What is Considered a Phone Addiction?
Smartphone Addiction or Phone Addiction is a disorder involving compulsive overuse of the mobile devices, usually quantified by the number of times a user accesses their devices and/or the total amount of time they spent online over a specified period. Its rarely the phone or tablets itself that creates the addiction, but rather the games, apps and online worlds it connects us to.
Nomophobia is the fear of being without a mobile phone or without access to a mobile phone.
At Omega Recovery, Dr. Kardaras’s unique program does indeed address all those underlying issues. Yes, there is a digital detox period, but during that digital detox, the real work of self-discovery—and long-term recovery—occur. We meaningfully engage our tech and phone addiction clients and connect them to caring, well-trained masters-level therapists trained by Dr. Kardaras and certified by the NIDHW (National Institute for Digital Health and Wellness). Clients begin to do the underlying psychodynamic work so that they can build a stronger and more empowered sense of their own identity—without the constant impulsive need to check their phones.
“Unfortunately, it seems that we, as a society, have entered into a Faustian deal. Yes, we have these amazing handheld marvels of the digital age – tablets and smartphones – miraculous glowing devices that connect people throughout the globe and can literally access the sum of all human knowledge in the palm of our hand. But what is the price of all this future tech? The psyche and soul of an entire generation. The sad truth is that for the oh-so-satisfying ease, comfort and titillation of these jewels of the modern age, we’ve unwittingly thrown an entire generation under the virtual bus.”
-Dr. Kardaras
Insurance Accepted
Your treatment is likely to be partially or fully covered with almost any major insurance provider.
Phone Addiction Treatment Program at Omega Recovery
Do you have Nomophobia? That’s the irrational fear of being without your phone or being unable to use your phone because of a poor signal or low battery. While most people today have experienced some degree of Nomophobia, some have crossed the line to full-blown smart phone dependence or smart phone addiction. An increasing number of people have become addicted to the little dopamine reward we all get every time we check our phone. Others suffer from severe FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and feel compulsively driven to check their phones for calls, texts, tweets or messages–lest they miss out on some life-affirmingand identity-validating bit of phone-delivered info.
At Omega Recovery, Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, one of the country’s foremost experts on treating tech and smart phone addiction and the author of the best-selling book “Glow Kids”, has developed a comprehensive and immersive 8-week program designed to not only treat the phone addiction, but to also address any and all underlying issues that may be contributing to the addiction. Many smart phone addicts struggle with self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, substance use, low resilience, shame, trauma…oftentimes they struggle to find real purpose and meaning in their lives.
Evidence-based modalities for Phone Addiction Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Peer Recovery Coaching
Nature Immersion
Outdoor Behavioral Health
Narrative Therapy and the “Hero’s Journey”
Mindfulness
Yoga and Somatic Techniques
” So just shutting off the phone for a while doesn’t really count as tech or smart phone addiction treatment—it doesn’t address what’s driving the compulsive behavior and the need to perpetually check your phone.”
Phone Addiction Help
In our Community Integrated Treatment Model, our Omega clients are engaged in living in the real world once again—and we make it fun as we help them to find their passion! Oftentimes, the smartphones are a substitute for a young person who feels bored, lost, depressed, adrift and lacking any real sense of purpose or direction. Omega Recovery helps them to find that meaningful sense of passion, purpose and direction in their lives. By living cooperatively in a treatment house in a vibrant community in the thriving city of Austin, we use all the social, nature-based, cultural, educational and economic opportunities available in an amazing city like Austin.
The recovering phone client gets the full clinical impact of an inpatient program in a much more comfortable, non-institutional alternative to traditional inpatient treatment. Dr. Kardaras has found that this type of treatment setting has better recovery outcomes as it is a more authentic and organic living and therapeutic environment, which translates into a smoother transition post-treatment.
Towards the end of treatment, the client works with their therapist to slowly begin to reintegrate mindful tech usage back into their lives. We help create a “digital re-entry” plan so that our clients and their families have a clear road-map of the transition back to our highly technological world. The recovered tech client needs to know how to balance healthy tech usage back into their lives as they look to get back into school, get a job or pursue any other passion that they may have. We assist our clients in post-treatment transition planning that includes aftercare, case management, peer coaching, job placement, recovery housing and much more.
Do You Need Phone Addiction Treatment?
There is a similarity between behavioral addictions and phone addictions: the triggering of a chemical in the brain that reinforces the addiction. Your brain contains several pathways that transmit a feel-good chemical called dopamine when you are in rewarding situation. For many people, they get a dopamine release from social interactions.Because so many people use their phones as tools for social interaction, they become accustomed to constantly checking them for that hit of dopamine that is released when they connect with others on social media or other apps. Programmers for these apps are counting on that drive to keep you checking your phone. Some apps even withhold and release social reinforcements, such as “comments” and “likes” so we receive them in an unpredictable pattern. When the phone user can predict the pattern, they check their phones more often. This cycle can lead to a tipping point; when your phone ceases to be something you enjoy and becomes something you are virtually compelled to use.
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My phone addiction is Ruining My Life-or My Child's Life-What can I do?
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While hundreds of phone addiction treatment programs exist throughout Asia, treatment options in the U.S had been almost non-existent.
But now that’s changed. Omega Recovery offers the best, evidence-based, most immersive and transformative phone addiction treatment program for young adults in the United States.
Our holistic, nationally-recognized and accredited program is here to provide you with the best evidence-based care, regardless of which stage of recovery you are in. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one struggling with recovery – we can help.
Individualized Outpatient Rehab Programs
Traditional Outpatient (OP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP) & Partial Hospitalization
Live at home, maintain your work & family responsibilities, and receive extensive addiction treatment at one of our outpatient rehab facilities in Texas
We’ll design a recovery plan to address your specific addiction, background, and mental health needs.
Depending on the severity & length of your addiction you’ll be assigned to one of three levels of care
Getting Help For A Loved One
Addicts often find it very difficult to take the first step to recovery on their own. We’ve treated hundreds of people with mental health, technology, and substance abuse addictions. Many claim that it was a loved one who first recommended them to our outpatient rehab program.
Here’s why we’re highly recommended:
90%
Of Clients would HIGHLY
Recommend
Omega Recovery
90%
Of Alumni say their
treatment at Omega was a
success
85%
Of clients report that they
are sober after 6 months
