Chennai: What began as a de-addiction centre for students and employees who became increasingly dependent on the internet during the Covid-19 pandemic is now seeing senior citizens too seeking treatment for internet addiction, doctors at Omandurar Government Medical College Hospital said.The centre was launched in 2021 as an exclusive facility to treat internet addiction since all the study material for children and work for adults became online, and consumption of the internet increased considerably. Five years on, senior citizens are also commonly diagnosed with internet addiction, says head of department of psychiatry, Dr Malar Moses. “Internet addiction is as good as cocaine addiction,” she said.The centre records around 10 to 15 new internet addiction cases every month. Between Aug 2024 and Aug 2026, the centre treated 291 such cases. For many elderly patients, with long periods spent alone, serials, political content and entertainment on phones can gradually fill much of their day, Dr Malar said. “Due to their age, sleeplessness is common. But due to addiction, their anxiety levels and sleeplessness might take a hit, and they will need help,” she added.A 55-year-old man, who recently received treatment, approached the centre with severe anxiety and alcohol addiction. “His son, who was a student in Chennai, had brought the patient to the centre from Tuticorin,” said R Deepika, psychiatrist and social worker at the hospital. Since he was also suffering from suicidal thoughts, he needed care at the general psychiatry ward for a week and constant counselling at the de-addiction centre. “During the 21 days at the hospital, he realised his role in the family and decided to stay away from both the screen and alcohol,” she said.Similarly, a Class XI student from Chennai was also diagnosed with internet addiction. “When he does not have a phone or a device is snatched from him, the boy would get aggressive and attack people,” said psychologist Saran Raj.Parents have an important role after discharge, Malar said. Patients are advised to restrict social media use to 45 minutes a day, although doctors accept that it is difficult for families to distinguish between screen time spent on work or studies and time spent purely for entertainment.Among children, early screen exposure is also causing language delays. Psychiatrists say they are severe enough to be mistaken for autism. “This is a danger when phones become a convenient nanny,” Malar said.Since last year, the centre has been expanded into a comprehensive facility treating several forms of addiction, including alcohol and drugs. Between Aug 2024 and Aug this year, 9,605 outpatient visits and 566 inpatient admissions were recorded for alcohol addiction. “Many think of our de-addiction centre as a jail. It is not like that. Nobody is admitted here without their consent,” said Malar. Patients are provided with protein-rich food in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.Some former patients have even returned to the ward by donating items such as kettles, books, and a carrom board. Two months ago, an anonymous donor sent a washing machine. The centre welcomes more donations in the form of books or board games.
