Teenage Addiction

With their labile and rapidly developing brains, adolescents are particularly susceptible to addiction, and addiction leads to anxiety and depression.

What few parents will know is that what we think of as the most typical addictions and problematic teen behaviors – smoking, drinking, drug-taking, sex leading to teenage pregnancy – are on the decline.

The bad news is that a whole raft of addictions has taken their place. Whereas once the dopamine-hungry brain of a teenager got its fix from smoking a joint or sculling a Bundy and coke, it is now turning to electronic devices for the pleasure jolt that typically comes from playing online games (if you’re a boy) and engaging with social media (if you’re a girl).

What is even more troubling is that, unlike drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, electronic devices are not illicit. Quite the contrary. They are liberally distributed by schools and parents, with few restrictions placed on their use.

Teen Brain

David Gillespie - Teen Brain

Risk Of Teenage Gambling

Gambling is something that needs to be taken seriously, as it can be extremely damaging, especially for young people.

Adolescent Gambling

Adolescence is a particularly important developmental period for considering gambling behaviors.

Is Your Teen Having Problems?

When parents think of the issues their children might experience during adolescence, a gambling addiction isn’t at the top of their list of concerns. [Checklist]

The combination of sugar, a dopamine provider, and caffeine, which acts as an antagonist at adenosine receptors, therefore blocking endogenous adenosine which causes all dopamine receptors to be overloaded and the pleasure becomes addictive.

Most teenagers use these products while they game which makes them feel happy while gaming much much more than normal. When this is combined with the built in addictiveness of Gaming online the teenage brain starts to rewire wanting more and more of the high that the combination of gaming, caffeine and sugar provide.

Besides the mental disorders that can present while a teenager, it also leads to gambling addiction when that young adult starts work and has discretionary funds in their pocket, because gambling supplies the same highs and lows that gaming online does.

This includes Poker Machines, Casino’s, Scratchies and Online Bookmakers as they are all designed to take your money and have you come back so that they can take your money again.

Their design is built around how you, all humans, behave, respond , engage, disengage, particularly around inducing your body to produce chemicals in abundance that provide our brains and body with ‘Highs’ and ‘Lows’ Esports, sports gaming online, is worth $2.5 Billion dollars in 2023 and online gambling sites are lining up to get a share of the pie. They want a share of the young men and women that dont play online but will bet on the outcome, particularly when they can “Bet with Mates”.