Govt rehab centre aids senior citizens addicted to
scrolling
Tarika.Balakannan@timesofindia.com 29.09.2026
Chennai: What began as a de-addiction centre for students and youths who became overly
dependent on the internet during the Covid-19 pandemic is now also seeing senior citizens
seeking treatment for the problem, doctors at Omandurar Government Medical College
Hospital said.
The centre was launched in 2021 as an exclusive facility to treat internet addiction, since
study material for children and work for adults went online, and consumption of 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 bad as cocaine addiction,” she said.
The centre records 10 to 15 new cases every month. Between Aug 2024 and Aug 2026, they
treated 291 such cases. For many elderly patients who spend long periods alone, serials,
political content and entertainment on phones can gradually fill up much of their day, Dr
Malar said.
“Due to their age, sleeplessness is common. With the addiction, their anxiety
levels and sleeplessness might worsen, and they will need help,” she added.
A 55-year-old man from Tuticorin recently approached the centre with severe anxiety and a
drinking problem. He was also suffering from suicidal thoughts, and he was treated at the
general psychiatry ward for a week. He received regular counselling at the de-addiction
centre as well.
“During his 21-day stay at the hospital, he understood his role in the family
and decided to stay away from both the screen and alcohol,” said R Deepika, psychiatrist and
social worker at the hospital.
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 developmental delays that are severe
enough to be mistaken for autism.
Since last year, the centre has 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
29/09/2026, 06:13 Govt rehab centre aids senior citizens addicted to scrolling Many think of our centre as a jail. But nobody is admitted here without their consent,” said Dr
Malar.
Some former patients have even come back to donate items such as kettles, books, and a
carrom board. Two months ago, a donor sent a washing machine. The centre welcomes
donations in the form of books or board games.
B A Raju
EXPANDED: The centre has turned into a comprehensive facility treating several forms of addiction, including
alcohol and drugs
