"It's become almost an extension of my body because it's right there at all times," said Owens.
The phone is with him on the job, in his bed and even goes with him intro the bathroom. Now, his addiction is fueling a battle with Emily, his girlfriend of two years.
"She gets mad when I'm on the phone instead of cuddling with her, watching a movie. I'm cuddling more with my phone than her," said Owens. "My mother
said it's the third person in our relationship."
Dr. Doug Teller of Kettering Medical Center helps those people who suffer from addictions. He said there are a lot of people like Ryan, but many of them do
not realize that they have a problem.
"There's nothing wrong with the technology. It's what we do with the technology and the choices we make that become very important," Teller said.
Dr. Teller said if your phone usage is affecting your job or your relationships, give yourself a test and turn it off!
"If you think something is not an issue for you, try stopping it and see what happens," said Dr. Teller.
An addiction to your phone can be dangerous, even deadly if you are looking at it while you are behind the wheel.
"People have had a very difficult time in my experience, putting them down," said Lt. Douglas Eck of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
It is now illegal to text and drive in Ohio but Lt. Eck said it is still happening.
"They're going through red lights, drifting left of center or off the right side of the road," said Lt. Eck..
From 2009 to 2001, 74 people died in crashes caused by distracted drivers. The issue even prompted the State Patrol to change the wording of some important paperwork.
Lt. Eck said, "Now if you're involved in a crash, you will be asked if you were distracted by anything and if so, what it was."
Ryan Owens believes he is addicted to his phone. So he is giving his iPhone to his grandmother in exchange for her less high-tech phone.
"It does have emails, text and voice calls, but that's about all that it does," said Owens.
Ryan said that may be enough. He can use it to call and connect with his girlfriend instead of the internet and everyone else.
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