Written by psychologists, Dr. Loredana Marchica and Orianna Ledoux, MA
Adolescence represents a distinct period in development marked by experimentation and
engagement in risky and potentially problematic behaviors. Further, adolescents are often given more responsibility and autonomy, thereby increasing their accessibility to potentially problematic activities.
Addiction is characterized by impaired behavioral control, cravings, dysfunctional emotional reactions, and inabilities to abstain from the substance or behavior. Often when we speak of addiction we think of substance-related addictions (i.e., excessive drug use). In Canada, 60% of 12–17-year-olds reported a lifetime use of various substances. However, we should also consider other forms of addictions such as, behavioral addictions (e.g., gambling and video gaming). In fact, up to 80% of adolescents reported having gambled for money in the past year, and the percentage of adolescents with a gambling problem is double that of adults. Additionally, 70% of adolescents play video games on average 2.5hours per day and research has shown that global prevalence rates of gaming disorders range from 1-3% of youth.
As is often the case in mental health, the question of normal versus pathological can be difficult to answer. When it comes to addiction, the line can seem even more blurred: is my adolescent experimenting or at risk of becoming addicted? Are these video games a passion or more than that? Finally, the threat of societal judgment may prevent many parents and adolescents from getting the help they need to recover.
It is important as parents and professionals working with adolescents to be involved with the youth’s daily life. One of the most important things is to maintain an open line of communication within the family. Without infringing on their privacy, taking an interest in what they experience can help better understand motivations. Asking them to show you what they play, how it works and who they interact with, without diminishing the importance of the activity, demonstrates a curiosity in who they are becoming and their interests. It also opens the possibility of implementing rules in line with their reality. Finally, it's easier for them to ask for help if they know you've been trying to understand their world. Questions around frequency, duration, and motivation for engagement, are important to identifying whether a problem exists or may be deve
loping. For instance, a parent may be worried about an adolescent that games several hours a week. However, when questioned it is found they do so, to socialize or de-stress, while continuing to take part in daily activities and are managing well at school. In this case, gaming may be considered one of their many emotion regulation strategies and is adaptive. However, an adolescent who games multiple hours a day to the detriment of sleep, academic work, interactions with family and friends, and often games to escape or “zone out” from unwanted emotions is a symptom of a deeper problem.
So, what can a parent do to help in these cases? It is important that if your adolescent is struggling, that you understand that this activity is the only thing currently helping them. Parents and professionals need to take a collaborative approach with the adolescent by validating their experience while also educating around risk and providing strategies to minimize use. Once the adolescent feels validated in their experience, they may be more open to learning new adaptive emotion regulation strategies that include strategies of mindfulness, relaxation, and self-care.
If you are a loved one is suffering from addiction, please contact the following resources:
· Info-Social 811
· Tel-Jeunes 1-800-263-2266; Text 514-600-1002 (8:00am - 10:30pm)
· Ordres des psychologues de Quebec: https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/trouver-de-aide
References:
Aderibigbe, O. O., Stewart, S. L., Hirdes, J. P., Perlman, C. Substance Use among Youth in Community and Residential Mental Health Care Facilities in Ontario, Canada. (2022). International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health. 19(3):1731.doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031731.
Calado, F., Alexandre, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017). Prevalence of adolescent problem gambling: A systematic review of recent research. Journal of Gambling Studies, 33(2), 397-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9627-5
Stevens, M. W., Dorstyn, D., Delfabbro, P. H., King, D. L. (2021) Global prevalence of gaming disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 55(6):553-568. doi:10.1177/0004867420962851
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