Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA), modeled after AA, is now a thing

Artificial intelligence addiction represents an emerging behavioral health concern that mental health professionals and support groups are beginning to recognize and address. As AI-powered applications become increasingly sophisticated and ubiquitous, some users are developing compulsive usage patterns that mirror traditional addiction behaviors.

Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA), a twelve-step fellowship modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, has identified AI addiction as a subset of broader internet and technology addiction. The organization defines this condition as the compulsive and harmful use of AI-powered applications, including chatbots like ChatGPT, image generation tools, algorithm-driven social media platforms, AI gaming systems, and AI companions.

Understanding AI addiction symptoms

Mental health professionals working with ITAA have identified several common patterns among individuals struggling with AI addiction. These users typically engage with AI applications for longer periods than intended, despite repeated attempts to control their usage. They experience difficulty stopping even when aware of negative consequences, and their emotional regulation becomes increasingly tied to AI interactions.

When disconnected from AI applications, affected individuals often experience distraction, anxiety, and irritability. They struggle to remain present in offline activities and use AI tools primarily for mood alteration and problem avoidance. This compulsive behavior can jeopardize personal relationships, educational pursuits, and career opportunities, leading to feelings of shame and demoralization.

ITAA has developed a diagnostic questionnaire to help identify problematic AI usage patterns. Key warning signs include losing track of time while using AI applications, repeatedly breaking self-imposed usage limits, engaging in all-day or late-night AI binges, and turning to AI during every free moment. Physical neglect, emotional dependence, relationship conflicts, and secretive behavior about AI usage also indicate potential addiction.

Neurological and psychological effects

AI addiction falls under the broader category of internet addiction disorder (IAD), first investigated by psychologist Dr. Kimberly S. Young in 1998. While the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) has begun acknowledging internet-based addictions through its inclusion of internet gaming disorder, scientific consensus continues developing around these behavioral addictions.

Research indicates that problematic internet and technology use has increased significantly over the past two decades. The dopamine releases triggered by digital addiction create structural brain changes similar to those seen in alcohol or drug addiction. These neurological alterations impair decision-making, reasoning, reward expectation, executive function, cognitive processing, emotional regulation, and working memory.

Studies have demonstrated that internet and technology addiction correlates strongly with impulse control disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, increased substance use, and depression. Physical health consequences include higher risk of cardiometabolic disease, poor sleep quality, increased fatigue, and insomnia symptoms—all associated with higher mortality rates.

Perhaps most concerning, individuals with internet and technology addiction experience suicide rates approximately three times higher than average, including increased suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts. These findings underscore the serious nature of digital addiction disorders.

Demographics and risk factors

AI addiction affects individuals across all demographics, including children, teenagers, working professionals, parents, and retirees. The condition does not discriminate based on age, educational level, socioeconomic status, geography, race, or ethnicity. ITAA’s global membership includes people from diverse backgrounds who share common struggles with compulsive AI usage.

The addiction’s impact extends beyond individual users to family members and friends. By damaging personal potential, self-esteem, and quality of life, excessive AI use can significantly impair daily functioning. The associated depression and suicidal tendencies make this condition potentially life-threatening regardless of an individual’s background.

Treatment approaches and recovery methods

While internet and technology addiction has only recently gained clinical attention, addiction treatment principles remain well-established. Millions of people have achieved sustainable recovery through mutual aid support groups modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Stanford public health researchers found that Alcoholics Anonymous participation was nearly always more effective than other therapies in achieving continuous abstinence from alcoholism.

The AA model has been successfully adapted for various addictions, including narcotics, marijuana, nicotine, sex, pornography, and food. ITAA applies this proven framework to help individuals suffering from technology addiction find long-term freedom from self-destructive behaviors.

Recovery from AI addiction involves several key components. Daily meeting attendance provides crucial peer support, with ITAA offering both online and in-person meetings globally. Members are encouraged to attend six meetings initially to determine whether the program suits their needs.

Regular outreach calls help combat the isolation that often accompanies digital addiction. These conversations allow members to maintain connections, share experiences, and receive support outside formal meetings. The abstinence process involves identifying and avoiding specific addictive behaviors that cause the greatest difficulties, recognizing that recovery unfolds gradually over time.

Educational resources help members understand addiction mechanics and develop coping strategies for withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The sponsor system pairs newcomers with experienced members who provide informal mentorship and guidance through the twelve-step process, which forms the foundation of long-term recovery.

Many members supplement their ITAA participation with professional treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, group therapy, psychiatry, inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment centers, other twelve-step fellowships, and spiritual counseling. While ITAA does not endorse specific treatment approaches, the organization encourages members to utilize any resources that support their recovery journey.

Defining sobriety in the digital age

Sobriety from AI addiction looks different for each individual and involves a personal discovery process. Members identify and abstain from specific behaviors that trigger their addiction while establishing positive visions for technology use. Some practice purposeful, minimal, or necessity-only technology engagement.

Recovery approaches vary significantly among members. Some choose complete abstinence from AI chatbots and tools, while others learn to engage with AI systems only when required for work. The common thread involves treating AI technology with caution and prioritizing human interactions over digital ones.

ITAA respects each member’s autonomy in discovering their recovery path, with experienced members providing guidance in defining individual sobriety goals. The process emphasizes using technology as a tool for meeting goals and living according to personal values rather than for distraction or emotional numbing.

Broader context of internet addiction

AI addiction represents one manifestation of broader internet and technology addiction patterns. Social media addiction involves compulsive use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, Reddit, and Pinterest. Streaming addiction encompasses excessive consumption of online videos, movies, television, and podcasts through platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Twitch.

Phone addiction involves compulsive smartphone use and notification checking, particularly at inappropriate times such as late at night or while studying, working, or driving. Video game addiction refers to obsessive use of computer games, console games, phone games, and social media games. Pornography addiction involves compulsive consumption of digital erotic content and unhealthy digital sexual behaviors.

Information addiction manifests as an unhealthy relationship with researching and consuming information, including news addiction, social media scrolling, online shopping, and compulsive online research about products or health topics.

Looking forward

As AI technology continues advancing and integrating into daily life, understanding and addressing AI addiction becomes increasingly important. Mental health professionals, support organizations, and individuals must remain vigilant about the potential for compulsive usage patterns while working to develop effective treatment approaches.

The emergence of AI addiction as a recognized behavioral health concern reflects broader questions about technology’s role in modern life. As society navigates the benefits and risks of AI integration, resources like ITAA provide crucial support for individuals struggling with compulsive usage patterns, offering hope for recovery and healthier relationships with technology.