Chasing the High: Digital Addiction & Why We Can’t Stop ScrollingChasing the High: Digital Addiction & Why We Can’t Stop Scrolling
Recovery Recharged with Ellen Stewart Pushy Broad from the Bronx
Why is it so hard to put the phone down, walk away from unhealthy habits, or stop chasing the next quick reward? This episode takes you inside the psychology of cravings, instant pleasure, and the emotional triggers driving modern addiction. The...
29:39•8 Jul 2026
Chasing the High: Are You Addicted to Your Phone or Still in Charge?
Episode Overview
- Addiction is not limited to substances; phone and social media use can become powerful process addictions when they dominate thoughts and behaviour.
- Dopamine-driven reward loops from likes, comments, and notifications keep people chasing feelings of relief and validation rather than real enjoyment.
- A key warning sign is losing control: failed attempts to cut back, neglected responsibilities, sleep loss, or using scrolling to escape life.
- Changing what you consume online—resetting algorithms, unfollowing triggering accounts, and seeking recovery-focused content—can reduce risk and support sobriety.
- Open, curious conversations work better than criticism, especially for parents talking to young people about social media, substances, and addiction.
“The goal isn't to stop an addiction. It's to create a life you don't have to run away from.”
What secrets to maintaining sobriety can be uncovered by looking at our phones? This punchy episode of *Recovery Recharged with Ellen Stewart, Pushy Broad from the Bronx* turns the spotlight on digital addiction and why so many people feel glued to their screens. Host Ellen Stewart, a recovering addict herself, answers rapid-fire questions from Emily in the studio, using straight-talking humour and real-life examples to unpack how social media, games, and constant notifications can act just like any other drug.
She explains how dopamine and "reward loops" keep people chasing the next like, comment, or video, and how that cycle can quietly turn into a serious behavioural pattern. You’ll hear clear language around process addictions, the classic "I can stop anytime" denial, and how to spot when your phone is running the show: neglected responsibilities, poor sleep, damaged relationships, or using scrolling to avoid life.
Ellen links this directly to recovery, showing how instant gratification from tech can clash with the patience and emotional tolerance needed to stay sober. The conversation also takes on comparison culture, loneliness behind endless followers, triggers from seeing drinking and drug content online, and the extra vulnerability of young people whose brains are still developing. Families get practical guidance too, with Ellen urging parents to swap lectures for curiosity and open questions.
Practical tips come thick and fast: reset your algorithm towards recovery content and positivity, set tech boundaries one day at a time, turn off non-essential notifications, and prioritise real-world connection. As Ellen puts it, "The goal isn't to stop an addiction.
It's to create a life you don't have to run away from." If you’ve ever caught yourself saying "just one more scroll" or wondered whether your screen time is harming your recovery or your kids, this conversation might be the nudge you need to ask: who’s really in control here—you or your phone?
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