Online Dating ‘Rejection’ Risks Could Lead to ‘Treatable’ Technological Addictions APA President Claims

The President of the American Psychological Association has suggested the risks of online dating could manifest into a technological addiction in a recent research presentation.

Psychiatrist Petros Levounis outlined parallels between technological addictions and substance use disorder (SUD) at the APA’s 2024 Annual Meeting in May. 

He explained in the presentation the rejection and unpredictability from online dating can result in an addiction somewhat similar to substance use disorder (SUD). 

The Rutgers New Jersey Medical School professor said: “Your life can become one of rejection, where you’re constantly rejecting people and where you constantly get rejected, and only occasionally and somewhat unpredictably end up with a real [date].

“The occasional date may be enough to keep users going back in the hope that they will have success the next time they log in, which in turn can foster excessive use, he explained.”

Psychological concerns regarding using online pornography and engaging in cybersex were also discussed. This includes people comparing on-screen experiences with real-life partners, which can be detrimental to relationships, and low self esteem from this comparison. 

According to Levounis, technological addictions have several attributes associated with SUDs.

He explained tolerance characteristics can be reflected through the increasing need to use technology, to get the same mood-enhancing effect, and withdrawal symptoms from stopping use. 

Internal concerns characteristics are said to be shown from being preoccupied with technology, the crave for its use, or using it to relieve negative moods 

He also mentioned that people with technological addictions can also experience external consequences similarly common in SUDs, like job dismissals and relationship breakdowns. 

Treatments for technological addictions are similar to those used for other addictions, namely cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, said Levounis.

He also stated CBT is better suited to patients who already recognize they have a problem and want to address it. “CBT does require some motivation. There’s a lot of structure and there’s homework.”

In contrast, he suggested motivational interviewing may work best early in the process. 

“Motivational interviewing does its best job with people in the precontemplation and contemplation stage of change,” Levounis said. “It can help people who are either highly ambivalent about their use or who think there is nothing wrong with what they’re doing.”

Levounis noted that there are currently no approved medications for any technological addiction, but there are a few potential options.