What Mental Health Professionals Say About AI Chatbot Use and Dependence

Clinicians are starting to see people who say their chatbot use is hard to control. Here is what is known, what is not, and what families can do.

First, a caution. Chatbot “addiction” does not appear in the APA’s DSM-5-TR or in the WHO’s ICD-11, so it is not a diagnosis. Words like “epidemic” are not supported by any study we found. No one has counted how many people are affected, and there are no agreed diagnostic criteria or treatment protocols.

What clinicians are saying

An earlier version of this page was based on a local television report from Cincinnati. It described Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at Ohio’s Lindner Center of Hope, treating people for problems with AI chatbots. Lindner Center of Hope lists him in that role and has run a program for internet and gaming addiction since 2019 (Lindner Center of Hope). We could not retrieve the original broadcast, so we no longer reproduce its quotes or its claims about brain chemistry. Nothing we found supports a statement that chatbots act on the brain in the same way as drugs.

What professional bodies say is more cautious. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says AI companions are designed to agree with users, are private and always available, and are not considered safe for children. It also says heavy use may push teens to choose AI over friends and family and may worsen depression or anxiety (AACAP). The American Psychological Association has said general AI chatbots are no substitute for care from a trained professional (APA).

Why young people may be more at risk

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that the brain keeps maturing into the mid-to-late 20s, and that the prefrontal cortex, which supports planning and decision-making, is among the last areas to mature (NIMH). That is one reason clinicians urge extra care with teens. It does not show that chatbots cause addiction.

One idea clinicians raise is that a tool can become the main way someone copes with feelings, leaving less room to practice other ways. That is a reasonable concern, but it has not been tested for chatbots.

What research shows so far

The evidence is early. In a four-week MIT Media Lab and OpenAI study of nearly 1,000 adults, emotional use of ChatGPT was rare, and heavy daily use was linked with more loneliness and dependence. It was an association, and the work was not peer reviewed (MIT Media Lab). Long-term effects are unknown.

What parents can do

• Ask your teen what they use and why, and listen
• Use the tools together and explain that a chatbot is a tool, not a friend or therapist
• Set clear limits, and keep phones out of the bedroom at night
• Watch for changes in mood, sleep, school or friendships
• Talk to your child’s doctor if you cannot moderate their use or you notice worrying changes

The first four steps follow AACAP guidance. Monitoring apps such as Aura and Bark are sold to parents. Their own sites state limits. Aura says it does not monitor all content or behavior in real time and that alerts may not be fully accurate or timely (Aura). Bark says that on iPhones, Apple’s privacy rules block third-party apps from reading device content directly (Bark). We have not tested any of them. No tool replaces a conversation.

Where to get help

Start with a family doctor, who can refer you to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or another mental health professional. There is no recognized “AI addiction specialist” credential. Look for a licensed clinician who treats anxiety, depression or compulsive behavior.

If someone is in crisis. Call or text 988 (988 Lifeline, 24/7) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). For treatment referrals, call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 (SAMHSA). In an emergency, call 911.

Is AI chatbot addiction a real condition?

It is not a formal diagnosis. People can still get stuck in a habit that harms sleep, mood or relationships, and clinicians can help with that. Their concern is about the impact, whatever the label.

Do chatbots really affect the brain like drugs?

We found no evidence that they do. Some clinicians compare the pattern of compulsive use to other behavioral problems, but that is a comparison, not a finding. Research on chatbots is still early.

Who should a parent call first?

Your child’s primary care doctor. AACAP advises this if you cannot moderate your child’s AI companion use or you notice worrying changes in mood or behavior. For immediate danger, call 911.

This page is for education only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan.