Technology addiction can creep up on you. Several factors can predispose people to developing an addiction.

For instance, some inherit a genetic risk for any number of addictive behaviors. These individuals sometimes experience serial addictions, wherein they kick one habit, such as overeating, only to move on to another, such as drinking or playing video games.

Others become obsessive and compulsive about electronic devices, which they use to help them escape from stress, depression, anxiety, boredom, or relationship problems.

For many young people, peer pressure can spur a preoccupation with social media, video games, or chat rooms.

Experts are still debating whether or not people can truly become addicted to the Internet and other technologies.

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has classified these behavior clusters as obsessive-compulsive disorders rather than addictive disorders.

Those who are able to drastically cut down or stop their technology use do not experience severe physical withdrawal symptoms like those withdrawing from alcohol or drug abuse.

However, many of the other behaviors experienced in technology addiction are identical to those observed in drug or alcohol addiction.

Even though physical withdrawals do not accompany technology addiction, there are physical side effects to overuse of technology.

Spending hours staring at a computer screen can cause muscle soreness, eye strain, and headaches. And repeated use of a keyboard and mouse can lead to chronic tendonitis, as well as neck, shoulder, and lower back pain.