New social media platforms pop up seemingly every day. For teenagers, social media use can be particularly impactful and can even lead to addiction. If your teen struggles with social media use, turn to Foothills at Red Oak Recovery for teen social media addiction treatment. Call 866.300.5275 today for more about the cause of social media addiction and how we can help.
What Is Social Media Addiction?
Social media addiction presents itself in the same way as substance use disorders. It involves the compulsive and obsessive need to use social media.
Teens who are dependent on social apps may be preoccupied with social media use. They may also experience mood changes depending on their access to the internet. They may develop a tolerance to social media and exhibit withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Mood swings
- Increased boredom
- Craving to use social media
- Anxiety
- Depression
Teens with a social media addiction can also relapse after a period of abstinence. Developing skills to combat the urge to use social apps is essential for long-term recovery.
Cause of Social Media Addiction
The most significant cause of social media addiction is the dopamine surges that online interactions can create.
The same reward and pleasure areas of the brain that are activated by addictive substances are affected by social media. The reward areas of the brain receive dopamine rushes when people talk about themselves, which is what many teens do online.
Social media use can reinforce the same neural circuitry as gambling and the use of recreational drugs, leading teens to need to use it more often to get the same effects. The stream of likes, retweets, and shares can have a similar effect on the brain as cocaine.
The continuous use of social media can lead to interpersonal issues, with teens ignoring real-life friendships to be able to focus on online interactions.
Social Media Addiction Therapy
For teens who struggle to regulate their use of the internet, social media addiction therapy can be an excellent solution. Many teens rely on social media to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to a dependence that can cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
Teen social media addiction services are available to help your adolescent boy recover. The most useful options are behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teens recognize the negative thought patterns that may lead them to rely on the “high” of social media use. Once they see these unhelpful patterns, they can start learning how to change their responses to them.
Experiential therapy is another important social media addiction therapy option. It can help increase self-esteem and self-confidence in a way that does not rely on social media. Equine therapy and other animal caretaking therapies are helpful because they offer relaxation as well as the chance to make connections with animals.
Dialectical behavior therapy is another excellent therapeutic method. Dialectical behavior therapy is the right choice for teens who struggle with regulating their emotions. It can teach them mindfulness as well as distress tolerance so that the teen can cope with triggers and stressors in their daily life.
Choose Foothills at Red Oak Recovery Teen Social Media Addiction Services
If your teen struggles with social media use, it can be important to reach out to experts. A social media addiction can negatively affect your child’s mental health, as those who rely on online interactions are more prone to developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
You can rely on our teen social media addiction services to help your adolescent boy relearn how to engage with others and enjoy life without social media. Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275 today to learn more about our options.
