‘I couldn’t stop myself’: inside the 12-step program for internet addiction

Unlike substance abuse disorders, internet and gaming dependence is considered a ‘behavioral’ addiction. Illustration: Kyle Ellingson/The Guardian

“Hi, my name is Sarah* and I am an internet and technology addict.”

So began a meeting on a recent Wednesday afternoon, as 18 people quietly gathered on a Zoom call. Text in their small video boxes showed they hailed from locations as disparate as Oregon, India and Namibia.