Chad Nanotech* was a wannabe tech entrepreneur in the tiny town of Westfield, North Dakota. When his software startup melted down due to a buggy AI algorithm, he drowned his sorrows in cheap beer while obsessively tracking every new AI chip announcement.

So when Samsung unveiled its AI chip technology roadmap in May 2024, detailing bleeding-edge 2-nanometer chips for powering the latest neural networks, it triggered the cycle of Chad's tech addiction all over again. He spent long nights poring over tech blogs and research papers, trying to wrap his head around backside power delivery and gate-all-around transistors.

His wife Anja* finally convinced him to get help through an online course on hofmanhollis.com. The 'Stepping Into Action' program taught mindfulness techniques and better coping strategies for dealing with obsessive tendencies. As Chad worked through the modules, he began to see how his fixation on AI chips was just a symptom of deeper unresolved issues.

'I may have been searching for meaning in all the wrong places,' Chad said ruefully. 'But this program showed me how to channel that energy into more positive outlets.'

Experts are divided on whether technology addictions should be treated similarly to substance abuse issues. Some psychologists argue that compulsive tech behaviors meet the clinical criteria for addiction, activating the same neural reward pathways as drugs or alcohol. However, others contend these habits do not necessarily involve physical dependency or hazardous use in the same way.

Regardless of the clinical debates, Chad felt the online program was invaluable for regaining control of his life. 'Sure, it was tough to break cycles of rumination at first,' he reflected. 'But sticking with it ended up being one of the best decisions I ever byte into.'

Nearby: Pollock South Dakota, Herreid South Dakota