The New Addicts: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

Can the internet, food and sex be as addictive as drugs and alcohol?

Currently 126 comments

The internet, food and sex are part of everyday life, but can they be addictive too?

Some say they can be. Those who have lost control over their online gaming, eating and sexual habits say these addictions are just as devastating as drugs and alcohol. And as scientists begin to learn more about addiction, they are beginning to agree.

Amid reports of online gamers in China and South Korea dying at the keyboard, some psychologists and psychiatrists now believe that internet addiction should be classed as a mental disorder.

But others argue that society has become addicted to being addicted.

What is addiction? When does passion or obsession become addiction and how do we treat it?

Join us as we talk to addicts of all kinds and from all walks of life for a fascinating discussion on the science of addiction.

Meet the Guests

Dr Andrew Campbell

Dr Andrew Campbell is a psychologist who has researched the impact of the internet and computer games on human behaviour. Andrew has treated numerous patients who he says are addicted to online gaming and believes internet addiction should be recognised as a mental disorder.

Ben

Ben is a recovering addict who has had a range of addictions from drugs to online gaming. He recently undertook an recovery program to treat his addictions.

Professor Gene Heyman

Professor Heyman is a psychologist and lecturer at Harvard Medical School. His latest book Addiction: A Disorder of Choice argues that conventional wisdom about addiction—that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control— is wrong.

Professor Jon Currie

Professor Currie is a neurologist and Director of Addiction Medicine at Melbourne’s St Vincent's Hospital. He is also the chair of the Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council.

Robert Mittiga

Robert runs GATS Counselling and Treatment Services. GATS is an inpatient and outpatient treatment program for a range of addictions. A former addict himself, Robert treats people with various addictions from gambling, drugs and alcohol, sex, internet, shopping, work, and food.