Many children spend several hours on the Internet engaging in various activities. This has become a source of concern to several parents particularly because the internet is robbing them of real-life experiences.

Some children don’t know how to make friends in reality because they spend most of their time online. If you know how to spot when your kid is struggling with internet addiction, it becomes easier to set some rules that will reduce their dependence on the internet.

Here are some signs that show your kid is addicted to the internet.

Withdrawal symptoms

You can tell if your kid is struggling with internet addiction when they experience withdrawal symptoms if they spend time away from the internet. Some of these withdrawal symptoms may include fatigue, anxiety, irritability, inability to sleep properly, etc.

Lose track of time when online

When a child is addicted to the internet, they may lose track of them when they are online. This means that they can spend several hours surfing the internet without paying attention to other activities that they have to do.

When they are off the internet for some time, it may seem like they spent a short time, and they will be eager to go back to the internet again.

They focus less on academic work

As a child’s dependence on the internet increases, their interest in school work reduces. Their focus and concentration will reduce and it will be noticeable from the lens of the teacher. Such children may skip assignments, and their performance on tests might not be as expected.

Prefer to spend time alone

When a child is struggling with internet addiction, they will prefer to stay alone instead of being around people. You will notice that their relationship with friends and family will not be smooth because of their aversion to social gatherings.

Lie about Internet use

Anyone who is addicted to the internet is likely to lie and this applies to children too. They may lie about the number of hours spent on the internet so that they won’t get blamed.

It is no secret that young people are increasingly becoming addicted to technology such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. With the advancement of technology, it seems that these devices are replacing valuable relationships and family time. Additionally, these virtual tools can become a way to hide or escape real-life issues, creating an atmosphere of avoidance. Unfortunately, youth are not just becoming addicted to technology; they are developing an addiction to drugs and alcohol as well.

Studies have shown that young people can become addicted to a substance more quickly than adults due to their underdeveloped brains. An adolescent’s brain is not yet mature and so it is more vulnerable to certain substances, namely alcohol and drugs. The abuse of substances like marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol can lead to forgotten commitments and reduced social participation.

The number one cause of substance abuse in young people is found to be boredom, peer pressure, and having a negative outlook on life. Young people may find overcoming these challenges difficult, especially when surrounded by peers who are participating in the activity. Additionally, trying to fit in with peers can cause young people to make decisions they may not normally make.

Symptoms of substance abuse in teenagers include behavior changes, mood swings, irritability, increased aggression, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in activities, poor academic performance, and withdrawal from family and friends. These changes are often gradual and difficult to recognize at times. It is also commonly seen that young people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol will also be addicted to technology. With technology becoming increasingly embedded into our everyday lives, it is easy to become dependent on it, leading to an addiction.

When someone is addicted to technology, they may have compulsive behaviors such as consistently checking messages and notifications, becoming defensive when the electronic device is taken away, and feeling irritable when limited from social media use. An addiction to technology can also manifest in psychological symptoms such as depression, increased anxiety, inability to sleep, and loss of appetite. It is important to recognize the seriousness of an addiction to technology in young people as it can have a rigorous impact on their physical and mental health.

It is important for parents, educators, and health professionals to be aware of the signs of addiction for both technology and drugs and alcohol. Parents need to provide the right environment in which the children can grow up, such as establishing quality family time and monitoring the activities of their children. Communicating with the youth regarding their perception of substances, is key in preventing addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Education must be provided to young people with the aim of encouraging them to make healthy decisions and demonstrate resistant behavior. Educators should make a point of informing young people on the dangers of addiction and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Not only should drugs and alcohol be discussed, but they should also be warned of the dangers that come with technology, such as cyberbullying, inappropriate sharing of images and information, and the dangers of addiction to various media platforms, like social networks, sites, and gaming.

In conclusion, it is of utmost importance that young people are provided with the necessary resources to protect them from addiction. Through awareness, education, and proper resources, young people can be encouraged to avoid addictive behavior and live healthier, more productive lives. The user-friendly access of technology makes it easier for young people to become addicted to electronic devices and substances. Therefore, it is up to the parents, educators, and professionals to ensure that young people are armed with the necessary resources to detect, prevent, and overcome addiction.

Kids are more prone to addiction because they are still in their development and formative years. This is the period where they need to be exposed to the right things because it determines how they would turn out when they become adults.

When it comes to behavioral addiction, parents and caregivers need to watch out for their kids so that they don’t get caught up in the web of addiction.

Here are some ways to prevent your kids from getting addicted

• Know their friends

If you don’t want your kid to get addicted, it is important to know the kind of friends they keep. You should also know who the parents of these kids are before you can trust your child with them.

Some of your kids’ supposed friends might be exposed to behavioral or substance abuse at an early stage.

Hence, your kid could get influenced if care isn’t taken. If you are not fine with the type of friends your kids are keeping, do not hesitate to set some boundaries.

• Educate your kids

Do not feel that your kids are too young to know what addiction means. You need to ensure that they have access to the right information so that they won’t get the wrong ones from other people.

Ensure you break down the concept of addiction to them, and stress the implications that come with it. When children are afraid of something, they will most likely stay away from it.

• Introduce healthy habits

Another way to prevent your kids from getting addicted to certain behaviors is to encourage them to adopt healthy habits. Teach them how to start exercising at that young age.

Also, explain the importance of a good diet and rest to them. When they get used to healthy habits, the chances of developing an unhealthy dependence on a behavior reduce.

It is important to always watch out for your children and be sure that they are in safe hands doing the right thing

Behavioral addictions are behaviors that an individual becomes obsessive about without minding the negative consequences attached to it. Many people believe that behavioral addiction does not exist because it doesn’t work like substance addiction.

However, healthcare professionals have opined that if your body becomes dependent on any activity to the point where it becomes disadvantageous, then an addiction is in play.

In this post, we’ll be revealing some signs of behavioral addiction:

Anxiety and depression

When an individual is experiencing behavioral addiction, they are likely to get anxious or depressed. This would occur when they are not within reach of their addictive behavior.

Additionally, if some of them are deliberate about quitting their addiction, they might get depressed or anxious because of the attachment and dependence they have developed.

Secrecy/Privacy

Another sign that shows that someone is going through behavioral addiction is when they start getting private about their activities. The primary reason is because they don’t want to get disturbed during their addictive behavior.

For instance, someone who is addicted to video games would prefer to play it in private so that they would not get disturbed.

Reduced productivity

When someone is addicted to a behavior, they are likely to be less productive. If a working-class individual is experiencing behavioral addiction, they would not be productive at work because they are more focused on their addiction.

On the other hand, if a student is struggling with behavioral addiction, their academic performance will decline over time.

It would be easy to notice that they are not as dedicated as they used to be before their addiction problem set in.

No one likes to be told that they are addicted. Hence, when you notice these addictive signs, you need to be strategic when you approach them. Make them understand that they can get their life back on track with the right treatment.

When it comes to addiction treatment, you can opt for the one that fits your needs if you are fully aware of your addiction problem. If not, it is best to seek professional help to get your life back on track.  

In this piece, we’ll be revealing some common addiction treatments guaranteed to restore an addicted person’s life to normalcy.

Detoxification

Detoxification is for those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. The purpose of detoxification is to eliminate toxic substances in the body. When you withdraw from the use of these substances, some unpleasant symptoms follow, and this is why medically-aided detox is important.

Some of these symptoms are life threatening and you need detox to avert any impending danger. It is important to mention that detox does not treat the hidden causes of addiction. However, it is used in association with other therapies.

Counseling

Counseling is an integral part of addiction treatment that should not be ignored. Counseling is essential because it helps the individual realize the root cause of their addiction. Moreso, addiction helps you realize the impact of your addiction on you and those around you.

Hence, it is correct to say that counseling is an eye-opening session that all addicts need to pass through. When the addict fully admits their addiction during this stage, it makes it easier for the counselor to create a treatment plan for the addict.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is an essential treatment tool because it is used for several types of addiction. The purpose of CBT is to help you spot certain triggers and develop vital coping skills. When CBT is combined with several other therapeutic techniques, it can prove to be a powerful source.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

REBT is essential in helping you acknowledge your negative thoughts and teach you how to fight against feelings of self-defeat. The essence of REBT is to help you acknowledge that you possess the willpower to overcome anything that is plaguing you.

Addiction refers to the continued involvement in an act that is disadvantageous to the body in different ways. You’ll discover that addicted individuals are aware there are ongoing changes in their body, but they are powerless to stop themselves from continuing in the addiction.

For some addicted individuals, they dream of a sober life but they don’t know how to, because they don’t have the right source of help around them.

Below are some reasons why people cannot control their addiction:

Peer pressure

Peer pressure is one of the reasons why people get addicted and it is another primary reason why people remain addicted.

When you move with addicted people, they directly and indirectly encourage you to sustain your addiction. And it would be challenging for an individual to pull out when their peers are deeply involved.

Ignorance

For some addicted individuals, they have no idea that they are addicted. If anyone tells them they are addicted, they would refute such claims instantly. To them, they feel they are satisfying themselves instead. This particularly applies to those who have behavioral addiction.

There are some addiction types like sex addiction, gaming addiction, shopping addiction etc. These forms of addiction are behavioral types and it is normal for someone who is addicted to any of them not to be aware.

Fear of the Unknown

Some individuals cannot imagine their lives outside addiction, so they would rather not try to explore that part. The reason is because, they don’t believe their life will be normal when they are not addicted. To them, their addiction is the new norm and they have come to accept it.

What such people need is for someone who is vast in the addiction process to explain to them. They need to realize that the life after addiction recovery is better than the life within addiction recovery.

If you are struggling with addiction or you know someone who is, it is best to seek help or assist them in finding professional help.  

We all have a basic idea of what addiction involves, and we are aware of the fact that, it gets to a point where we totally submit to it, and allow it to rule our lives.

Even though you believe in God or not, you need to be aware of the fact that, there are some things in your life which you might treat as God, and addiction is one of them.

It is enlightening to know that, addiction fills in for the role which God is meant to play in your life.

When it comes to addiction, people feed it; serve it; focus on it; crave after it, and they get emotional over it. This is wrong because we are meant to do these things to God and not our addiction.

An addicted person serves his or her addiction with the entirety of their lives. Their way of life is an attestation to the degree of love of their addiction.

They plan their time around it, they have a particular budget for it, and when discussions are being held with family and friends, you try to introduce the concept of your addiction into it.

The way we were created, our lives were meant to revolve around God, however, the sad part is, it revolves around addiction for the addicted people, and this birth unhealthiness.

God should be your ultimate focus, and there is an important need of submitting to him, instead of addiction. When you make addiction your primary focus, it makes your life skewed, and it becomes difficult for you to make the right priorities out of your life.

During the course of addiction, it would be difficult for you to control your cravings, and it sucks in your energy on a gradual basis.

However, the case is different when you crave God, you seek him, and owing to the fact that he is in the spiritual state, he continually renews you.

So, which would you opt for, a profound relationship with God, or a life riddled with addiction. N

Everyone is designed with an instinct to worship and to be reverent, but the object of your worship and reverence is up to you. Many people are not necessarily conscious of this. They adopt whatever belief system was passed down to them and never make informed decisions about what they worship. Or, others may not have any kind of organized belief system, and turn the center of their worship to something they simply enjoy or value tremendously. The more conscious you are of what it is that you worship, the better off you are.

Those who worship something in an organized, conscious and deliberate fashion are usually religious. This does not mean that all religious people have a healthy practice of worship. Obviously, some religious people do not exercise any real intelligence or spirituality in their religion. What this means is that the most conscious form of worship takes place in either a religious or deeply spiritual context because it is the type of worship that require the most thought and understanding.

Then there are those who worship in a loosely focused way. They worship what they are passionate about, or what they derive a sense of reverence from, such as nature or art. These things inspire feelings of spirituality within them. They have not necessarily organized their thoughts on why they are moved to a sense of spirituality, they simply know that they have reverence toward something, so it becomes the object of their worship, meaning they devote their time, money, thoughts and energy into it.

And lastly, there are those who are grossly misplacing their sense of worship by focusing it on something unworthy of worship, such as an addictive substance or process. This often has more to do with not thinking carefully than it does making defiant decisions. Everyone has things they crave and struggle to personally moderate, but when the object of addiction becomes a person’s object of worship, it is best they rethink their priorities right away.

Whether or not you believe in God, you must be aware of what you treat like God. Everyone worships something because it is our human nature to do so. What is it that you worship? People who struggle with addiction have their answer already. Addiction replaces the role that God is meant to fill in a person’s life. People serve, focus on, crave and become emotional over their addiction. Consider what God is meant to be to us. We are meant to serve Him, focus on Him, crave His presence and be emotionally invested into Him. Addiction stands in they way of this all too important relationship.

When you are addicted, you serve your addiction with your entire life. Everything about the way you live is a testament to how much you love your addiction. You arrange your time around it, you budget your money for it, you bring it into conversations with your friends and family and you dream away about it when you do not have access to it. Your life is meant to revolve around your Creator in order to be healthy, but instead, it revolves around addiction, which makes you unhealthy.

When you are addicted, the object of your addiction is your focus. God is meant to be your ultimate focus, and in order to serve him well, you are meant to lend your focus where it is required, for instance, to your life’s purpose, your health, your relationships and your spirituality.  When addiction is your life’s focus, all of our priorities are skewed. The way you look at your life and the world are toxic. You are in the habit of devaluing things that matter deeply to your life, and overvaluing things that are unimportant in their place.

When you are addicted, your cravings are uncontrollable and are constantly sucking up all your energy. When you crave God, you are seeking him, which is the most natural spiritual state to be in. Heavily craving anything but God is dangerous to your soul. So is becoming emotional about your addiction. Your emotional faculties are unhealthy if your addiction is what moves you to emotion. Making God the center of your emotional life will ensure that your emotion is always focused where it should be.

The idea of worshiping a golden idol is from biblical times, but the practice of it is still alive and well. What could better define the worship of false idols than addiction? In the bible, the term “golden idol” is used to mean anything we put above God in our lives. The Egyptians, Neo-Babylonians and other nations would erect golden statues to represent their gods, and it was often a crime not to bow before them. Worship of these false gods instead of the one true God would lead to personal demise, according to the bible.

In the present time, false idol worship is an old adage, and quite correctly represents everything that addiction is. It does not refer to a mere fondness for something unworthy of praise, it refers to a reverential worship of something unworthy of worship. Addiction drives a person to crave something so strongly that they are willing to serve it with their whole person in order to have access to it. For example, in cases of severe alcoholism,  alcoholics will frequently organize their time, energy and money around alcohol. They are always sure to have funds for alcohol. They plan their days around drinking and will frequently avoid events that will inhibit their plans to drink. If anything unpredictable or stressful happens, they feel an overwhelming need to comfort themselves with alcohol. If drinking begins to harm their relationships, they will concoct elaborate schemes to hide their drinking from view of the people in their lives. Imagine, this incredible amount of thought and energy expended on serving a substance instead of the Creator of the Universe. This is the very epitome of worshiping a golden idol.

Though this phrase is commonly used with a severe connotation, conjuring up images of fire and brimstone as punishment for worship of a false idol, it is interpreted differently in modern times. The merciful and selfless life of Christ shows us that God does not desire punishment for us, but rather health, hope, joy and prosperity. God created us to worship him and to find fulfillment in him, so when we turn from him and place our adoration on something else, we are essentially doing something that is unnatural and toxic to ourselves. God does not want to condemn us, he wants to redeem us. He warns us to rebuke false idols – money, fame, glory, sex, drugs, alcohol – so that we will not become lost and fall into despair, but instead become rich in the spirit and pure of heart so that we may receive everlasting life in paradise with Him.

If you are ready to let go of your false idols and move on from your addiction, do not do it alone. Christian alcohol rehabilitation services and other addiction treatment options are available to help you remember the truth of God’s love for you and to help you through your recovery remembering your identity in Christ.