Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous Offers Support for Digital Overload

Addiction treatment centers report an increasing number of clients seeking help for "out-of-control" phone use. In response, Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA), a global fellowship founded in 2017, offers a structured approach to recovery.

ITAA, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, provides a 12-step program designed to help individuals overcome compulsive engagement with technology. Members like Jenny, a 30-year-old who requested her real name not be used, have described extreme levels of dependency.

Jenny recounted periods of not sleeping for days and neglecting basic needs like eating and drinking due to her phone addiction. "I would lose chunks of my life," she stated, explaining that she would watch anything on her screen to maintain constant engagement. Withdrawal symptoms were severe enough that she had to ask family members to secure her devices. She admitted to relapsing by taking family devices, which would then lead to further use to cope with the resulting guilt.

After years of seeking help, Jenny found ITAA and successfully completed the 12 steps. She has now been free from streaming or watching content for five years and feels in control of her basic phone use and online activity for work. "I'm now in control," she said.

Another ITAA member, Tom, shared that his addiction led him to lose months of his life to screens. He described simultaneous multi-hour binges of music, YouTube, social media, and video games, interspersed with short walks before resuming his usage. This pervasive addiction resulted in the loss of his business and a sense of purpose, leading him to become suicidal.

Tom is now in recovery and has found renewed joy in activities such as playing pickleball, spending time outdoors, and going to the gym. The fellowship provides a framework for individuals to regain control over their digital habits and reclaim their lives from excessive technology consumption.