The danger of new behavioral addictions

The worrying phenomenon of addictions now goes beyond just the use of illegal drugs, involving various types of risky behaviors that feed on fragility and threaten to steal well-being, future, and life—especially from the younger generations facing the challenges of growing up.

From Drug AddictionDrug addictions are not simply personal “vices,” but gen... More to Behavioral Addictions

During the latest National Conference on Addictions, the Head of State intervened, defining the fight against the “tragedy of addictions” as a “front of freedom,” which is primarily addressed through prevention and education.

The Conference highlighted the contemporary context, with technological revolution and profound sociocultural changes, where concern is not only about dysfunctional reliance on drugs or new psychoactive substances like fentanyl, but also the widespread spread of risky behaviors involving legal substances and activities, such as smoking, e-cigarette use, alcohol abuse, gaming, gambling addiction, or early and excessive exposure to digital devices and content.

Institutional and scientific attention has therefore shifted from drug addiction to the broader concept of behavioral addiction, which finds dangerous fertile ground in social fragility and vulnerability, worsened by a mental health crisis that particularly affects young people and adolescents.

Dr. Pietro Casella, member of the national board of the SITD Italian Society of Drug Dependence, highlights the negative influence of digital overexposure during developmental age, which interferes with the natural development of emotional and affective skills, while emphasizing the importance of mindfulness training and preventive approaches.

Increased Vulnerability in Adolescence

The heightened vulnerability of adolescence regarding risky behaviors is related to the challenge of transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence is a period of intense emotional activation but also of still incomplete development of executive functions like self-regulation and awareness.

Brain immaturity physiologically leads to a certain predisposition toward the unknown, risk-taking, and sometimes reckless life experimentation. At the same time, major emergencies and crises at national and international levels can exacerbate developmental difficulties, increasing the risk of developing addictions.

New Addictions and Risk Behaviors

Recent statistics shed light on adolescent risk behaviors in Italy and worldwide, emphasizing the importance of youth mental health and addiction prevention, which often serve as dysfunctional responses to distress.

In Europe, in addition to illicit substances, new addictions are a concern, linked to unbalanced use of the web, social media, and video games. In Italy, youth gambling is on the rise, reaching a European record. In response to the mental healthWhat is meant by mental health? According to the World Healt... More crisis among adolescents highlighted by the WHO, education actively participates in prevention: together, it is possible to strengthen inner resources and cultivate functional strategies to meet needs, promoting true global health, which also encompasses independence and happinessHappiness represents an emotional state characterized by pos... More.

Youth Addictions in Europe

The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) monitors risk behaviors among 15-16-year-old adolescents in 37 European countries, particularly trends in substance use. Data show that 14% of boys and 12% of girls surveyed have used illicit substances at least once in their lives.

Smoking and Nicotine

Cigarette smokingMuch more than a habit: a global health issue Smoking is oft... More has halved between 1995 and 2024, yet almost one in three students has smoked at least once in their life. Early smoking initiation persists: 15% tried their first cigarette at age 13 or younger.

Meanwhile, e-cigarette use among adolescents is rising, raising concerns about nicotine addiction: 44% of students have used e-cigarettes at least once, and 16% tried them at age 13 or younger.

Alcohol, Cannabis, and New Addictions

Alcohol consumption tends to decrease, especially among boys, while girls show a more stable pattern. Yet, 33% of students report having consumed their first alcoholic drink at age 13 or younger. Cannabis use is also declining, though 5% still use it regularly.

Gambling and Video Games

In Europe, new addictions such as video game addiction are increasing: 80% of boys report having played at least once in the past month, and this habit has more than tripled among girls since 2015. Online gambling is also on the rise, practiced by 14% of surveyed students.

According to the ESPAD report, Italy has the highest youth gambling prevalence, involving 45% of students, mostly in physical locations such as bars or venues (98% of cases).

A new study published in Lancet Public Health by the University of Pavia’s School of Public Health, in collaboration with the CNR-IFC and the Mario Negri Institute, surveyed 11,000 Italian adolescents: almost 70% of 15-19-year-olds play video games. Among them, one-third spends money to play online, and one-fifth considers gaming modes risky for addiction. In Italy, over 50% of 15-19-year-olds gamble. The boundary between video games and gambling is increasingly blurred, as games often exploit gambling dynamics to encourage spending, leveraging psychological vulnerabilities.

Smartphone Addiction

Concerns over problematic smartphone use are growing in Europe, affecting about 25% of minors online. The European Parliament advocates investing in AI systems to counter deepfakes and dangerous content and calls for stricter enforcement of digital regulations, as well as a minimum age of 16 to access social media to prevent infinite scrolling risks.

Japan even proposes digital detox programs through dedicated clinics to treat what is defined as “smartphone dementiaDementia is a medical condition characterized by the progres... More.”

Drug Addiction in Italy

Among illegal substances, cannabis use remains high at 8.6% of adolescents, and abuse of inhalants is increasing.

Annual Report to Parliament on Drug Addiction

The 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Drug Addiction in Italy (using 2024 data) explores adolescent substance use.

Data show that 37% of students aged 15-19 have used an illegal psychoactive substance at least once in their lives, and 25% in the last year.

27% of Italian adolescents have used cannabis at least once, and 21% in the last year. Early cannabis initiation is increasing: over one-third tried it at age 14 or younger. 12% have used at least one new psychoactive substance, 4.7% stimulants like ecstasy or amphetamines, 3.5% hallucinogens, 3.1% cocaine, and 2.2% opioids.

A more silent but widespread addiction is to the web. The report states that 13% of students use the web in a risky way, neglecting friendships, reducing sleep, and showing distress when offline. Online violence is also prevalent: 47% of students have experienced cyberbullyingCyberbullying is the enactment via the internet of behaviors... More, and 4.2% have received invitations to online challenges for group inclusion.

Unbalanced web use can relate to the concerning phenomenon of Hikikomori and voluntary social withdrawal: in Italy, 2% of adolescents reported self-isolation for over 6 months, and another 2.3% for 3-6 months, showing pre-Hikikomori distress.

Online gaming can also become risky: 17% of students use games problematically, with excessive time investment and emotional dependence. The report, consistent with ESPAD, notes a worrying increase in gambling among Italian adolescents, reaching record levels: 62% of students aged 15-19 have gambled at least once, and 57% in the past year.

Mental Health: WHO Data on Adolescent Distress

The World Health Organization reports that 15% of adolescents worldwide suffer from a mental disorder. Suicide remains the third leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. DepressionDepression is a disorder characterized by persistent sadness... More and anxietyAnxiety is an emotional response characterized by feelings o... More are the most common disorders. Globally, it is estimated that:

• 4.4% of 10-14-year-olds and 5.5% of 15-19-year-olds suffer from anxiety disorders
• 1.4% of 10-14-year-olds and 3.5% of 15-19-year-olds suffer from depression.

The situation in Europe is particularly concerning. According to the report Silent crisis: the mental health of Europe’s youth by the WHO Regional Office, 20% of adolescents suffer from mental health problems, with overall well-being worse than previous generations. Italy shows a strong gender gap: only 35% of girls reported good mental well-being, compared to 66% of boys.

Youth Mental Health in Europe

The ESPAD report indicates that only 59% of students report good mental well-being on average, with boys showing higher well-being (69%) than girls (49%).

Despite increased awareness and prevention efforts for specific addictions, only 36% of students have participated in educational activities to strengthen inner resources and develop adaptive strategies to face daily challenges, such as Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti’s “Prefigurare il Futuro”, a training project for adolescents and educators to transform challenges into opportunities, fostering self-awarenessIl termine autoconsapevolezza si riferisce primariamente all... More, emotional self-regulation, and resilienceWhat is meant by resilience? According to the American Psych... More.

Towards Awareness and Independence

Addiction may sometimes seem like an easy solution to anxiety, depression, and distress. Yet, any addiction is dysfunctional, as it distances one from freedom and independence. Only through these can one understand and follow their unique path toward fulfillment and happiness.

The Italian National Institute of Health identifies protective factors to prevent and overcome addictions, such as anti-drug policies and self-control. To foster adolescents’ self-control, it is necessary to educate for awareness and emotional self-regulation. Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti places these at the center of Prefigurare il Futuro, a training program for adolescents, parents, and teachers. The project raises awareness of youth mental health, offering practical tools and workshops for well-being and global health.

Emerging Needs from the Emergency: How Are We Doing?

In the face of widespread psychological problems and related substance abuse and addictions, a key response is awareness of what truly emerges from the emergency. What emerges is a need to overcome crises, challenges, and fragilities. Every symptom, including addiction or risky behavior, signals a need.

A fundamental step is listening: learningIl termine apprendimento - con i sinonimi imparare, assimila... More to listen to each other’s needs is the first step toward health, even within the family. Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti offers a free Edukit “Parlami ti ascolto” to facilitate connection with adolescent children.

This willingness to listen is essential not only for others but also for ourselves. To avoid automatic responses and the vicious cycle of addiction, we must pause and ask ourselves: how are we? Which need are we trying to meet? These are key self-regulation questions, helping us respond with functional strategies instead of addiction.

Educating adolescents to inner listening and attention to their emotional world, providing practical tools to face age-related and life challenges, supports their mental health and, with it, the future of families and communities. This is the mission of several initiatives by Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, in schools and in vulnerable communities. Together, we can truly meet needs, overcome difficulties, and emerge stronger, paving a shared path to happiness.

• https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20251120IPR31496/children-should-be-at-least-16-to-access-social-media-say-meps
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