Tech Addiction Pathway Session a Big Success

On November 5, 2025, NCPSG hosted a Pathway Session on Recovery from Technology Addiction with two clinicians, Michael Shelby, LPC, and John Markette, LPC, both based in the West Hartford area. While I was originally looking for a speaker to address ADD and ADHD, I was convinced by the speakers to focus on an emerging addiction in our digital world.

Michael started off with an interested slide presentation, giving us a stark but realistic observation: content consumption among youth involves a screen, and for many, socialization takes place via screens as opposed to IRL (in real life). Many young adults experience digital overload as boundaries blur between work, school, family, hobbies, and rest. (It’s the young adult generation–parts of Gen Y and Gen Z–most at risk of addiction, given the lack of guardrails as the iPhone was introduced (2007) and was adopted.)

Some other facts for the young adult generation: 1) average screen time is 8.5 hours/day; 2) 60% of this age group reports on being “always online”; and 3) 1 in 3 feel anxiety when disconnected. This last statistic reminds me of THC, where one of the key withdrawal symptoms is anxiety which just promotes greater and greater use.

The key forms of digital addiction were listed, including videogaming, sports gambling, cybersex, shopping, and social media.

There was a question in the Q&A on co-occurring disorders or traits associated with tech addiction. These include ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar, and lack of physical activity. Another correlation Michael mentioned was included as the last slide in his deck, from his new book called ReConnect. It was fascinating. The 2 Jung/Myers model types highly correlated with tech addiction–and addiction in general–are “Gentle Humble Helpers” and “Creative Sensitive Souls”.

A bottom line conclusion from Michael: “Don’t count on self-regulating, as young people will follow the path of least resistance, and the inexhaustible content on the internet almost guarantees this behavior.” He advises an emphasis on daily physical activities, personal hobbies, a normalized sleep schedule, IRL peer social activities, and a regular schedule of work/study and regular device-free meals.

Digital detoxes work, and so do 12-Step programs that address tech addiction like GAA (Gaming Addicts Anonymous) and ITAA (Technology Addicts Anonymous). To access Michael’s slide deck, CLICK HERE, and for a replay of the Pathway Session, CLICK HERE.