We’re addicted to social media. How do we get sober?

Scientific American · Allison Parshall · 2026-10-20 10:00 UTC

How doctors, scientists and “anonymous” programs are working to free people from their phones

In 2022, when Tom was 32, he went to extreme lengths to defeat his tech addiction. He flew from his home in Michigan to a town outside Stockholm and gave up his devices for a three-month, self-directed “dopamine detox.” He did cold plunges, worked out and hiked—all without looking at his phone.

We’re addicted to social media. How do we get sober?

How doctors, scientists and “anonymous” programs are working to free people from their phones

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