The Seventh Kingdom: Is Technology Addiction Real Jan. 2015 | Page 39

fig 34.1
fig 34.3

SUBSTITUTE

Substituting a substance or behaviour
to a less harmful option helps people to
quit slowly such as fake cigarettes being
used as a decoy for people who have a
habit of holding a cigarette and experience
withdrawal symptoms when they are
not holding one. An example of this in
association with technology is the ‘nophone’
which acts as a dummy phone which
‘a ddicts’ can keep in their pockets to replace
their actual smartphone.

Setting limits and goals allows addicts to
take ‘baby steps’ to quitting their habit. It is
easier to achieve a goal if it is broken down
into sub-goals.

fig 34.4

LIMITATION
By giving a reward for achievement, the
addict will feel accomplished and more
motivated to quit.

REWARD
fig 34.2

Support groups are useful for treatment as
the addict is surrounded by people with a
similar problem. This implies the addict is not
alone.

EXPERIENCE
From personal
experience, absence
of digital technology
for a day had
many advantages.
Enjoying the
outside rather than
staying inside sat
at a computer
was a refreshing
experience. Also,
production levels
were higher due to
less procrastination
on social networking
websites and
entertainment. Finally,
the most valuable
benefit of absence
was the ability to
sleep comfortably at
an appropriate time.
However the main
,
drawback of digital
technology absence
was the incapability
of producing any
work. This is a big
concern as digital
technology is used
as a primary medium
for completing work
in all walks of life,
from scho ol, to
industry.

SUPPORT
CHAPTER TWO: BEHAVIOURAL ADDICTION

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