The past 25 years have seen social media move from infancy into full-blown adulthood. In the early 2000s, MySpace was the first social media platform to reach one million monthly users. Today, the top five platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok) all have monthly users numbering in the billions. More than 80% of people in the United States have at least one social media account. Among teens and adolescents, ages 13 to 17, that number is even higher, with 95% reporting they use a social media platform, some of them “almost constantly.”
Social media has become a staple of modern life. As such, it is important to understand its impacts on our lives, and we should all be aware of the connection between social media and substance abuse.
This article will explain how social media increases anxiety and depression, making it a risk factor for substance abuse, and then provide some practical tips for how you can counteract some of its negative impacts.
Social Media Increases Anxiety and Depression
This 2023 study from the New York City Health Department reveals that teens who use social media report significantly higher rates of anxiety (27%) or depression (14%) than those who don’t (just 9% and 4%, respectively). But how does it happen? There are several ways that social media usage can increase our levels of anxiety and depression; here are four.
- Social comparison. “Comparison culture” occurs when we compare ourselves and our lives to others through images, videos, and messages. “Idealized” content that often appears on social media can lead to feelings of envy or, worse, inadequacy. It is not uncommon for many people to leave social media sessions feeling like others live much more interesting and successful lives.
- Cyberbullying. A study from 2020 found that 44% of people have experienced online harassment. Among teen users, this number can be higher, and the outcomes even worse for their mental health and self-esteem.
- Sleep disruption. Social media use before bed just before bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns, something known to exacerbate anxiety and depression.
- Social media addiction. Social media addiction is a type of behavioral addiction that can significantly impact a person’s ability to function in many aspects of their life, including at work, in their relationships, and with their physical health.
Mental Health and Substance Use
Anxiety, depression, and loneliness have all been identified as risk factors for substance abuse use in numerous studies, including this one published in the National Library of Medicine. This is in large part because mental health conditions hurt our emotional well-being. Many people use alcohol and drugs to numb feelings of emotional pain or in response to increased stress, and this study from 2022 found that “individuals experiencing high loneliness were more susceptible to engaging in hazardous alcohol use.” Because the use of social media can increase anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, it can be a risk factor for substance use.
Social media also exposes its users on the platform to drug and alcohol content through posts, ads, and videos. Social media influencers and celebrities may normalize its use and downplay its effects, and sometimes, seeing our friends and family using substances makes it appear socially acceptable.
How to Counteract the Negative Impact of Social Media
If you are wondering if your social media use could be contributing to substance abuse, here are two relatively easy things you can do today:
Set or reset boundaries with your social media use
Commit to using your devices less and limiting your time on platforms by setting a timer. Tell a friend or family member about your goals–saying it out loud will help you improve accountability. Some people have found success by charging their devices at night in a different room than where they sleep.
Change or “curate” your social media feeds
This will take a little time, but evaluate the pages and people you follow or the groups you have joined. There is actually a lot of great free content from influencers that can inspire sobriety, recovery, and healthy living.
Addiction Treatment at Infinity Recovery
The connection between social media and substance abuse can be complex, and we encourage you to have open conversations with those in your network if you are concerned. If you or a loved one are looking for even more support, we offer several behavioral health services and treatments that have helped people find sustainable recovery and happiness. We believe in an individualized, holistic approach. If you are ready to take the next steps, please contact us today.
