In 2017, several people concerned about their tech and internet use banded together to create Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA), a global fellowship inspired by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Jenny is one of their members. At the height of her phone addiction, she would not sleep for days. She would barely eat or drink, her dependency was so strong.
“I would lose chunks of my life,” explains the 30-year-old, who doesn’t want the BBC to use her real name.
She didn’t care what popped up on her screen – a film, a series, a short video – as long as she was watching something.
“I did not realise how I addicted I was until I was in withdrawal and I had to ask friends and family to keep my devices under lock and key,” Jenny recalls.
“It was so bad, I thought I am going to die if I don’t watch something.”
If she relapsed, she would resort to taking or “borrowing without permission” a laptop or a smartphone from her family.
But then the guilt and shame would kick in, and she would want to stream more content to block out the feelings.
After years of “searching for help”, she came across ITAA and followed their 12 steps. She is now in recovery and has not streamed or watched anything for five years.
Jenny says she feels comfortable with having a basic phone, and going online for her job. “I’m now in control,” she says.
Another ITAA member, Tom, says his addiction led him to dark places. He could lose whole months of his life to his phone and other screens.
“I would binge for 10 hours straight – I could be listening to music, watching something on YouTube, scrolling through social media and playing a video game – all at the same time.
“Then I would go for a two-hour walk, and binge again. This could go on for months.”
Tom’s addiction was so overpowering that it led to him losing his business and his sense of purpose in life.
“I became suicidal,” he says.
“I am starting to get real joy in life again. I play lots of pickle ball, I get outside and I go to the gym.”
