Effective and emerging treatments for digital addictions in the Middle East

THE PROBLEM OF DIGITAL MEDIA ADDICTION IN SAUDI ARABIA

Over the past two decades, digital technology has become seamlessly incorporated into nearly every aspect of daily life. However, this rapid integration has been accompanied by a rising crisis: Digital media addiction, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This form of addiction includes compulsive behaviors related to social media, online gaming, Internet browsing, and smartphone use. Although not formally recognized in most diagnostic manuals, digital addiction and its adverse behavioral, psychological, and social consequences during adolescence have increasingly been highlighted in the literature.^[1] Its neurobiological similarities to substance addictions have been identified.^[2]

Estimating the true burden of digital addiction is challenging due to inconsistent definitions (e.g., excessive, problematic, or addictive use) and varied assessment tools across studies. Nevertheless, a recent meta-analysis estimated the global prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) among adolescents at 27%, with the Middle East exhibiting a slightly higher rate of 30%.^[3] Earlier analyses reported similar prevalence rates (25-30%) in Gulf Cooperation Council countries.^[4]

Many experts consider this a public health crisis due to its far-reaching consequences, such as deteriorated mental health, sleep disturbances, impaired academic or work performance, and social isolation.^[5] A public health response grounded in scientific evidence and tailored to the regional cultural context is urgently needed.

UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL ADDICTION

Digital media addiction is increasingly viewed as a behavioral addiction. It shares key features with substance use disorders, including compulsive engagement despite harm, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and functional impairment.^[6] While the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) currently recognizes only internet gaming disorder (IGD), other forms – such as compulsive social media use – remain unofficial, which complicates diagnosis and treatment.

Neuroscientific evidence reveals that problematic Internet use activates the brain’s reward system, particularly the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, in ways similar to substance abuse.^[7] Chronic overuse also disrupts cognitive control areas such as the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, which impairs decision-making and emotional regulation.^[8] These parallels reinforce the argument for classifying IGD as a behavioral addiction and emphasize the need for standardized diagnostic frameworks.

CURRENT EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS FOR DIGITAL ADDICTION

Effective treatments have emerged from the broader field of behavioral addiction therapy. Four approaches with initial evidence for their effectiveness in controlled studies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), family therapy, and digital detox programs.

CBT remains the treatment with the most scientific evidence to support it. The CBT-IA protocol, developed by Dr. Kimberly Young, addresses maladaptive thoughts, emotional regulation, and behavior restructuring around technology use. A meta-analysis by Winkler et al. (2013) found that CBT significantly reduced symptoms in individuals with Internet and gaming addiction over time.^[9]

MBRP helps individuals become aware of digital triggers and improve emotional regulation.^[10] A study by Li et al. (2018) has shown that integrating mindfulness with CBT improves emotional regulation and reduces relapse among adolescents with excessive gaming habits.^[11]

Given the developmental and familial context of adolescent technology use, systemic family therapy has proven beneficial. It addresses parents’ enabling behaviors, sets consistent digital boundaries, and strengthens family dynamics. Family therapy has been shown to suit different treatment settings; studies suggest that it is a viable treatment option for digital addictions, specifically IGD.^[12]

Clinically supervised digital detox programs, typically lasting 1-4 weeks, help reset dopamine sensitivity and break compulsive patterns. While abstinence alone is insufficient, some studies have suggested that patients in detox programs show modest improvement in health and well-being.^[13]

EMERGING AND INNOVATIVE TREATMENT APPROACHES

Newer interventions leverage technology for therapeutic purposes. Digital self-monitoring tools such as Freedom, Opal, and Stayfree allow users to track and control their screen time. More advanced tools include AI-powered dashboards integrated into clinical care, providing real-time feedback and alerts.

Neurofeedback, particularly electroencephalography (EEG)-based biofeedback, has shown promise in reducing compulsive digital behavior and other symptoms. For example, neurofeedback therapy has been shown to improve attention control among those with IA.^[14] Transcranial direct current stimulation is also being explored for modulating brain regions involved in reward processing and impulse control.^[15]

Biofeedback has shown promise for impulsivity-related disorders, although high-quality, large-scale studies remain limited. EEG-based methods yield mixed but encouraging results, while functional magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques offer potential but are still in their early stages.^[8] Integrated neurofeedback and biofeedback approaches have been shown to improve attention, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance, particularly in small-scale studies among participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety.^[16]

While still emerging, these tools represent promising new directions – especially in technologically progressive regions like the Middle East.

TREATMENT AVAILABILITY IN SAUDI ARABIA

Despite growing demand, comprehensive treatment options for digital addiction are limited in the Middle East. Internationally, programs such as reSTART Life (USA) and the Mindful Digital Detox Retreat (UK) offer structured, evidence-based residential care that includes CBT, digital detox, and lifestyle interventions.

In the Middle East, few programs specialize in behavioral addiction. Notable exceptions include (1) Naufar (Qatar), which offers residential services that integrate psychiatry, psychotherapy, and wellness, and (2) National Rehabilitation Center (UAE), which provides behavioral addiction care within a broader addiction treatment framework.

In Saudi Arabia, institutions such as Al Amal Psychiatric Complex and Tumaninah Clinics provide addiction-related psychiatric care. However, digital media addiction is not a distinct treatment focus. At present, there is no dedicated center in the Kingdom equipped to diagnose, treat, and study digital addiction in a culturally sensitive way.

A CENTRE FOR DIGITAL ADDICTION TREATMENT AND RESEARCH

There is a clear need to establish a center of excellence in Saudi Arabia that can provide the following:

1. Focused diagnosis and treatment: An interdisciplinary team could apply evidence-based therapies (CBT, family therapy, and mindfulness) tailored to Arabic-speaking clients.

2. Youth-oriented services: Adolescent digital use is both a risk and an opportunity. Specialized programs could balance recovery with support for digitally gifted youth (e.g., in coding, design, and software).

3. Professional training: The center could serve as a regional training hub for clinicians, educators, and researchers on digital well-being and addiction.

4. Cultural relevance and accessibility: The center’s objective would be aligned with the national health initiatives within Vision 2030 and thus increase public trust and reduce stigma.

5. Research and policy leadership: A center with dedicated resource allocation would enable a variety of research to be conducted, including longitudinal studies and randomized trials on treatment effectiveness. Furthermore, the center could develop regional screening tools and offer guidance to policymakers.

CONCLUSION

Digital media addiction presents a significant and growing challenge in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East. Its complex interplay of neurobiology, psychology, and culture requires an evidence-based response. While international models offer guidance, the most effective solutions will need to be tailored to the culture of the region. Establishing a national center for digital addiction would be a pivotal step forward. Not only would it provide urgently needed services, but it would also generate data, build workforce capacity, and position Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in tackling one of the defining behavioral health challenges of the digital age.