Mobile phones have become integrated into everyday life. Most teens, as well as adults, live a life glued to their phones. Phone addiction can negatively affect a teen’s mental health, but teen smartphone addiction treatment at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can help. Contact us at 866.300.5275 today to learn more about the link between phone addiction and mental health.
Phone Addiction and Mental Health
Only recently have people become concerned with the effects that having a phone addiction can have on mental health, especially for teens. Smartphones are a relatively new invention, so phone addiction and mental health studies have only now become more prevalent.
One of the more worrying aspects of phone addiction is that it can often co-occur with other mental health concerns. Some of the most common conditions that teens who are addicted to their phones have include:
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- ADHD
- Alcohol use disorder
- Anxiety
Constant phone use can cause poor cognitive-emotional regulation as well as communication problems. Teens who turn consistently to their smartphones for reassurance and distraction have higher rates of negative ruminations and self-blaming behaviors.
Reduced levels of productivity and attention are also a concern for teens with smartphone addictions. They can also fear missing out when they do not have access to their phones, which can present as withdrawal symptoms that affect mood and behavior.
How to Stop Being Addicted to Your Phone
The impact that a smartphone can have on teens means it is crucial to learn how to stop being addicted to your phone. One of the most effective options available is to turn to phone addiction treatment. There are many treatment strategies that the professionals at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery offer.
Behavioral Therapy
Phone addiction treatment begins with cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on recognizing negative behavioral patterns and then learning how to change them. If the teen has a co-occurring disorder, treating both conditions with behavioral therapy can make a difference.
Some teens also benefit from trauma treatment to help them uncover why being without access to their phones can make them feel so disconnected and lost.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapy can help teens face daily life in a more realistic way. By employing hands-on experiences, experiential therapy can help treat the whole person and not just the symptoms of a mental health condition.
Equine therapy is very helpful in this regard. Working with horses can help teens understand behavioral patterns while also making it possible for them to build relationships and trust with the animals. It can be an excellent way to boost self-confidence and self-esteem.
No-Cell Policies
For many teenage boys, a no-cell policy is an important tool to help them overcome their phone use disorder. It can help them recognize their compulsions while also teaching them to avoid the obsessive thoughts that lead them to rely on the phone. These no-cell policies can also teach a teen to relearn how to regard a phone as a tool.
Foothills at Red Oak Recovery for Phone Addiction Treatment
If your teen uses their phone excessively or exhibits undue distress when separated from their phone, getting help is just a call away. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we offer experiential therapy options like equine therapy and exercise therapy to help your teen relearn how to function without depending on their smartphone.
We also provide cognitive-behavioral therapy to help our clients recognize the negative patterns that may affect their behavior so that they can make positive changes that last a lifetime.
Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 to learn more about phone addiction treatment. We can help your teen overcome their phone addiction and build a healthier, more meaningful life.
