Smartphone Overdose

Rehab centers from Santa Barbara, Calif., to the East Coast are used to seeing patients with various drug addictions, but could they be seeing cell phone addicts in the near future? 

Today’s generation has become completely consumed by electronics, especially smartphones. According to the Society for Science, on average, college students spend a grand total of nine hours on their phones each day. That’s more time than most people spend at a work shift or in class!

Smartphone Study

South of Santa Barbara, Baylor University conducted a study with college-aged men and women which lead to some very interesting, yet concerning conclusions. The survey asked these students how they felt when they were away from their phones, if they thought they spent more time on their phones than they should and more. 

The study showed that women use their smartphones more often than men and that men and women use their cell phones for different reasons. The main author of the study, marketing professor, James Roberts stated, “men use technology—cell phones in particular—more for entertainment and information. Women use the phone more for maintaining and nurturing social relationships.” 

Too Much of Anything is Not Good For You

According to Roberts, many students in the study reported that they felt anxious or panicked if their phones were dead or lost. He relates these feelings to withdrawal symptoms people in drug rehab centers typically experience. Roberts is also quoted on the university’s site saying, “As cellphone function increases, addiction to this indispensable piece of technology become an increasingly realistic possibility.”

Addiction of any kind can be very serious. Behavioral addictions can be just as destructive as addictions to substances, hopefully cellphone addiction will not get to that point. Fortunately, there are treatment facilities in Santa Barbara and other cities across the U.S. that help people recover from drug and alcohol addictions.

Jordan Lee is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Miramar Recovery Center. Follow on Twitter