All Wired Up on Technology

Some people may be addicted to their gadgets like junkies are to drugs

Is there such a thing as addiction to technology? According to John O’Neill, director of addictions services for the Menninger Clinic in Houston, some people may be as addicted to their phones, computers and other electronics as junkies are to drugs. These people are so caught up with their gadgets that they neglect relationships with other people, O’Neill says. In fact, some experts suggest the over-wired may experience similar brain processes as people who are addicted to other things, such as the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness.

But others object to labelling the techno-savvy as addicts without verifying that they meet  the precise psychological definition of addiction. These include craving, compulsive use, neglecting other duties and withdrawal when the addictive object is not available. O’Neill admits there is not enough research to establish that excessive tech use is addiction, but cited people who can’t sit through a movie without checking their phones as potential addicts.

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