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The Feed Won't Fix You: The Social Media Addiction

  • Writer: Scraper
    Scraper
  • Apr 17
  • 5 min read
Two children use phones against a blue and purple gradient backdrop, one sitting, the other standing, creating a serene and focused mood.
Credit: Ron Lach

We're All Addicted, So, Where Do We Go From Here?


Social Media addiction isn't just about wasting time online. It's the slow, invisible creep of anxiety, dopamine hits, FOMO, and curated perfection that seeps into our identities. We're all just scrolling through chaos, and somehow, we're expected to be fine-ed?


But the fact is, Feeds are heavy. The pressure is enormous. And it's engineered to be. Studies have confirmed that platforms are literally designed to keep us hooked, leveraginng psychological rewards like unpredictability and intermittent dopamine releases, the same methods slot machines use. Except now, the casino is in your pocket..


As someone who's constantly 'online' navigating the endless scrolls, I can tell you: It's not laziness or lack of willpower'' We're up against a billion dollar machine feeding off our time and attention span. And it takes a lot to push back against.


Social Media: Designed For Dopamine, Not Well Being?


Every algorithm is a trap, but a intriguing one. And when you grow up in a world where digital connection is the connection, it's easy to confuse the two.


There's a study that found even short social media sessions spike reward centers in the brain similarly to addictive substances. That's not accidental. Social media isn't passive entertainment anymore, it's becoming identity, self worth, community, current and sometimes even the job (hey yo)


And the worst part? We Know. We know it's messing us up, yet we keep going. And no, this isn't just teenagers. According to Harvard Business Review, even adults feel trapped in the loop of needing visibility and constant updates just to stay relevant.


So....What's The Deal?


It's deeper than doomscrolling. Social media isn't just the villain. It's the symptoms of a much larger cultural breakdown. We're living in an age of constant noise, and social media offers an illusion of control. You can curate. You can filter. You can mute the world. But tbh, social media is both the drug and the escape from the drug.


When asked what makes people stay hooked, answer gets back: 'It's something to take control of in the moment when nothing else in the world makes sense.' It becomes a way to reconnect in a disconnected world. A paradox that many of us are stuck in.


Digital Detox Isn't The Cure - It's A Start


The term 'Digital Detox' gets thrown around like it's a one size fits all fix. Spoilers: nothing is. You can't just log off and heal. But stepping back can give your brain the space to rewire.


Platforms are designed to give us exactly what we want. And that's the trap. The MIT Sloan study shows a clear link between increased social media use and declining mental health, especially among the gen z.


That's why it's not just about logging out, it's about changing the relationship. At Alpha Healing Center, I've seen how holistic recovery, from behavior to environment to mindset, creates sustainable change. You don't just quit the app; you build a new way to exist without needing it.


Society's Not Helping, But We Can


If you think social media is glamorized, that's not the app, that's us, As stated before, 'Platforms aren't feeding you crap, People are. Society is.'


This is where education, awareness, comprehension and actual joy come in. And bring back real life community, hobbies, in person conversations and healing circles. At Alpha Healing Center, for example, there's a strong focus on reconnecting with nature, art, and movement. Things that social media has tired to digitize but never truly replicate.


Reclaiming Your Feed = Reclaiming Your Peace


Reset your feeds, Curate your online space. But more importantly, step away when it gets loud. Your peace matters more than your reach. Mindfulness helps. Movement helps. Getting out of the scroll trap and into the present moment can be revolutionary. According to McLean Hospital, even setting a 30 min per day limit can significantly reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.


But real healing? It comes when you stop blaming yourself and start reclaiming your space. At Alpha Healing Center, through holistic treatment programs that focus on science and spirit. we're seeing people unlearn, unravel, and rebuild their relationships with the digital world and themselves.


So What Are We Doing?


We can't escape social media. It's woven into everything, but we can:

  • Set Real Boundaries (and keep them)

  • Educate Ourselves and Others

  • Normalize Rest and Boredom (Man, love being bored, kinda miss it)

  • Seek Out Holistic Support When Needed


And remember, you're not weak for being addicted. You're merely human in a system designed to exploit your attention. To heal, we need more than awareness. We need action and if you're ready to take that step, know you aren't alone. Whether its a digital detox, therapy, or a more immersive approach like what;s offered at Alpha Healing Center, there's always a way back.


Even from the deepest ends of the scroll.


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