Hey guys. I have relapsed on my screen addiction after 11 days. Earlier in the week I watched a movie with a friend. No addiction motive and I honestly believe(d) that it’s okay to watch a movie as long as it’s rare and with friends. The people in my CGAA meetings said I have to find a balance.
K think that I can maybe indeed watch a movie as long as it’s not from addiction motive and with a friend. But first some more recovery time. at least a month I think. Because this caused a slippery slope that had me watch 2 movies and 3 episodes of family guy yesterday.
I find this addiction incredibly as I simply cannot abstain from technology in this era. I wish I could just switch to a Nokia, but that’s no option with work, school and everyday life.
Hey Jan,
I’m sorry it’s tough right now. However, reaching out and being accountable is the right choice. Your addiction is hard to deal with but I do believe you will able to master it step by step. You’re motivated, you have tools and support. Don’t beat yourself up, just reassess and start again.
Just an idea: are you able to do school, work etc on your computer? Would that help you monitor better how much time you spend on a screen? Switching to a candy bar phone temporarily isn’t impossible, I think.
I need to use WhatsApp and an app I can only use on a phone for work. The school part is an option for pc though. But I also fear that pc brings a bigger risk than a phone. I have 2 smartphones. The one that I use and another to have restrictions on my regular phone
Like you said, this is a tough one with all the technology we have today. It’s crazy that our minds can turn anything into an addiction. Good job on seeing your slip and doing something about it
I feel for you @anon89207786, it is difficult when ur addiction is something that u cannot avoid and for many others seems not as damaging as alcohol or drugs. Indeed a movie seems unproblematic, like for me a donut seems unproblematic. But then it leads to a binge and wasted time and feeling sick and crappy.
Hi Jan, I’m sorry to hear about your slip. I know how much of a struggle it’s been for you over the years - your shares on this have been powerful.
I myself find screen time difficult to balance. I’m not sure I would call the screen time itself an addiction in my own case, but it is so connected to the porn I used to watch that in my experience I have to set some boundaries.
In my own case I benefit from having a company smartphone, which is monitored (so for me that eliminates the possibility of using it for anything addictive). I downgraded my personal to a flip phone.
When you say you need the phone for work and friends, what does that mean?
Have you charted out your relapse pathways? The “middle circle” behaviours that are red flags? It sounds like you have; is there a way you can change the tech you have, to eliminate a possibility?
Or the behaviours. Can you introduce some new self-care behaviours that will help?
I don’t know about you but for me the “media firehose” is always about drowning out thoughts and emotions. (I also binge watch Family Guy. I’ve seen all the episodes many times. I’m not seeing new material; I’m just filling my eyes and ears with images and sounds.)
I’ve started adjusting my routine & I find that’s helped me reduce the media bingeing. I take an hour-long walk every afternoon around 4:00 or 5:00; that helps me care for my body’s need for fresh air and motion. I do some planking every morning, at least a minute (also about body health). I started a routine every dinner, of sharing two simple questions with my dinner companion(s): what was I grateful for today, and what was a challenge today? (Gets those emotions out; lets them be processed.) I have gotten some conversation cards with my wife and we dive into them a few times a week (helps build the relationship & keep us mutually aware - this applies to me but is optional if people aren’t in a relationship).
What strategies could be introduced to take these thoughts and emotions as they come? To feel them on their terms, learn from them / act on them, then let them pass.
I should be doing homework, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I could work on my recovery. Make a list of triggers. Make a list of signals. Make a weekly schedule. Look into my future plans. Call my insurance to have it start sooner. Make my “clean circles”. Make a list of hobbies and so on.
For now you can help by simply listening to what I say. It means a lot to me.
I have started implementing more structuren into my life. I should look into that more though as there are many possibilities. Definitely reaching out and calling fellows when craving. Gotta make myself more important. I definitely gotta do more mindfulness. I have been playing more boardgames lately. Maybe look into stock trading as I want to learn that and have a stressfree life(which is of course no guarantee). Simply more hobbies also.
Thanks for your input Matt
Just get back up you can do this i just went out on some pasta tonight on my weightloss journey but it wont stop me from getting back up and working hard towards my goal is the main objective you got this go even further then 11 days wishing you the best and goodluck !!
Your screen addiction is difficult as it’s almost impossible to avoid especially with the lockdown where we are faced with a digital era of learning and communicating, it’s a bitch. It’s not like we are getting away from it anytime soon,
It’s good that your trying to keep yourself busy as it may help, but over doing it can be just as detrimental, it’s a balancing act,
I know you said about returning to rehab before, maybe it’s a good thing, but the best thing you can do is try to set boundaries man you need anything you know how to reach me
Your something else, lol. Take it easy. Im proud of you. Your so proactive. As far as I go, I use to have a problem overfilling my plate and get overwhelmed and ultimately did nothing… feeling useless. Ooooo. That’s sounds bad when I say it out loud… lol. Thats why I have to do one thing at a time and place very manageable task on myself. So I can feel accomplished at the end of my day… set myself up for success instead of failure. Just wanted to share my experience.
