Internet deaddiction centre Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital Omandurar Government Estate,Chennai
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. 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. A 55-year-old man, who recently received treatment, approached the centre with severe anxiety and alcohol addiction. 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. Between Aug 2024 and Aug this year, 9,605 outpatient visits and 566 inpatient admissions were recorded for alcohol addiction.
“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.
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. 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. “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. “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. Parents have an important role after discharge, Malar said. Nobody is admitted here without their consent,” said Malar.
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. “Many think of our de-addiction centre as a jail. It is not like that. 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.
Since last year, the centre has been expanded into a comprehensive facility treating several forms of addiction, including alcohol and drugs.