How addicted are our phones? Some of us go to recovery.

In the year In 2017, many people concerned about their technology and Internet use came together to form Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA), an international alliance inspired by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Jenny is one of their members. She does not sleep for days when she is addicted to her phone. She could hardly eat or drink, her dependence was very strong.

“I lose parts of my life,” said the 30-year-old, who did not want the BBC to use her real name.

As long as she was watching something, she didn’t care what was on her screen – a movie, a series, a short video.

“I didn’t realize how addicted I was until I came out of isolation and had to ask friends and family to lock up my devices,” Jenny recalls.

“It was so bad, I thought I was going to die if I didn’t see something.”

If she relapsed, she would try to take or “borrow without permission” a laptop or smartphone from her family.

But his guilt and shame were seeping in and she wanted to channel more content to block his feelings.

After years of “searching for help” she found ITAA and followed the 12 steps. She is now in recovery and has not done or seen anything for five years.

Jenny said she was relieved to have a basic phone and go online for her work. “I’m in control now,” she says.

Another ITAA member, Tom, said his addiction led him to dark places. He could lose months of his life to his phone and other screens.

“I would drink for 10 hours straight – 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 on a two-hour walk and drink too much again. This could go on for months.”

Tom’s addiction is so strong that it causes him to lose his business and his purpose in life.

“I killed myself,” he says.

“I’m starting to find real joy in life again. I play a lot of pickleball, go outside and go to the gym.”