Youth Addiction

Alcohol, drug and gambling addictions are still the primary focus at many rehabilitation programs. However, we are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis amongst our youth, where a host of new behaviours are of concern. These new and insidious challenges include addictions to technology, fitness, processed foods and sugars. These types of addiction can be classified as a behavioral addiction in which a person’s behavior becomes obsessive, compulsive, and/or causes dysfunction in a person’s life. When does experimentation and risk-taking cross the line from typical adolescent behaviour into addiction? How can we support our young people to recognise and address addictive behaviours before they become destructive and irreversible?

Addiction is better understood as