The Fears of a Digital Detox in an Always-Online World
Tracks
Prince Room - In-Person & Virtual
| Thursday, May 28, 2026 |
| 11:05 AM - 11:25 AM |
Overview
Olivia Jurcik, Hader Clinic Queensland
Details
Three Key Learnings
Understand how digital applications can activate addictive behavioural patterns.
Recognise the relationship between digital overuse and experiences of anxiety, stress, loneliness, emotional dysregulation, and reduced self-worth, while identifying the overlap between behavioural addictions and substance use disorders.
Identify the therapeutic value of digital detox and intentional disconnection in recovery
Understand how digital applications can activate addictive behavioural patterns.
Recognise the relationship between digital overuse and experiences of anxiety, stress, loneliness, emotional dysregulation, and reduced self-worth, while identifying the overlap between behavioural addictions and substance use disorders.
Identify the therapeutic value of digital detox and intentional disconnection in recovery
Speaker
Mrs Olivia Jurcik
Clinical Services Manager
Hader Clinic Queensland
The Fears of a Digital Detox in an Always-Online World
Abstract
As technology becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, concerns are emerging around the addictive potential of digital platforms including social media, gaming, online gambling and dating applications. This presentation explores the evolving landscape of modern and digital addictions, examining how instant gratification, algorithm-driven reinforcement, external validation and comparison culture can impact mental health, emotional regulation and self-worth.
The relationship between excessive digital engagement and rising experiences of anxiety, stress, loneliness and disconnection will be explored. The presentation will also examine the overlap between behavioural addictions and traditional substance use disorders, including shared neurobiological and psychological mechanisms.
The presentation will additionally discuss the role of “digital detox” within residential addiction treatment settings, including the therapeutic value of reducing overstimulation and reconnecting individuals with presence, emotional regulation and meaningful human connection.
The relationship between excessive digital engagement and rising experiences of anxiety, stress, loneliness and disconnection will be explored. The presentation will also examine the overlap between behavioural addictions and traditional substance use disorders, including shared neurobiological and psychological mechanisms.
The presentation will additionally discuss the role of “digital detox” within residential addiction treatment settings, including the therapeutic value of reducing overstimulation and reconnecting individuals with presence, emotional regulation and meaningful human connection.
Biography
Olivia Jurcik is the Clinical Services Manager at Hader Clinic Queensland, a specialist long-term treatment provider for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Over the past decade, Olivia has led program development, clinical governance, and integration of evidence-informed practice with lived experience expertise. A PACFA-registered Clinical Counsellor with a Bachelor of Psychological Science, Graduate Diploma of Counselling, and Master of Mental Health, she brings deep understanding of both clinical and personal perspectives of recovery. Olivia’s leadership focuses on building hope, reducing stigma, and advancing whole person approaches across Queensland’s AOD sector.
