Smartphone addiction comparable with substance abuse according to a study

Overuse of smartphones is just like any other type of substance abuse, say scientists who found that digital addiction makes people feel lonely, depressed and anxious.

Smartphones are an integral part of most people’s lives, allowing us to stay connected and in-the-know at all times. The downside of that convenience is that many of us are also addicted to the constant pings, chimes, vibrations and other alerts from our devices, unable to ignore new emails, texts and images.

In a study published in the journal NeuroRegulation, researchers argue that overuse of smart phones is just like any other type of substance abuse.

“The behavioral addiction of smartphone use begins forming neurological connections in the brain in ways similar to how opioid addiction is experienced by people taking Oxycontin for pain relief – gradually,” said Erik Peper, from San Francisco State University in the US.

On top of that, addiction to social media technology may actually have a negative effect on social connection. In a survey of 135 students, researchers found that students who used their phones the most reported higher levels of feeling isolated, lonely, depressed and anxious