Behavioral Addictions: A Growing Trend
The matter is serious. Christian students from principled families, enrolled in Adventist schools and colleges, and attending church regularly, are at risk for addiction.
Understanding Behavioral Addictions
Addiction threatens individual freedom and represents a clear barrier to well-being. Teachers, administrators, and school personnel must inform themselves about this topic in order to better prepare to take action on behalf of the young people under their care.
Biological Aspects of Addictive Behavior
In recent years, the definition of addiction has moved beyond chemical substances to include other types of compulsive behavior or activities, such as gambling or the viewing of pornographic images.
Addressing Behavioral Addictions in Adolescents:
Creating a School-wide Culture of Prevention
While they may not always develop into addictions, behaviors such as overeating, excessive technology use, or repeated viewing of pornography are all growing issues that school administrators must be prepared to address.
Preventing Food Addiction in Adolescents
Because similar neural-activation patterns appear in substance abuse and addictive-like eating, some researchers have argued that certain over-consumptive eating behaviors should indeed be characterized as addictions.
Recognizing and Avoiding Potential Triggers for Internet Gaming Addiction
Although excessive game playing can be a problem at any age, the negative consequences for education can often be avoided when a child lives at home where parents can provide structure and rules that keep him or her engaged in school and other activities.
Caught In the Net: Recognizing Internet Addiction in Youth
Internet addiction refers to a pathological use of computers or technology that is characterized by intrusive urges to engage in online behaviors to an extent that contributes to significant impairments in daily life (e.g., relationships, school, physical health).
No More Secrets:
Talking With Children and Young Adults About Pornography
How should educators react when pornography has been accessed on the school’s computers? What should happen when a teacher learns that one or more students are struggling with the desire to view pornography and are earnestly praying that God will remove that burden from their lives?
Helping Students Experience the Healthful Benefits of Exercise
Exercise addiction can occur whether students live at home or in a setting where they are responsible for their own schedules and have less overall supervision. Educators, school personnel, and parents need to be aware of the warning signs and behaviors of exercise addiction in order to plan a timely intervention.
