Do You Know The Top 12 Teen Addictions?
- Junk Food
- Internet/Computer Use
- Marijuana and/or Hash
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Sugar/Candy
- Over Eating
- Under Eating or Anorexia
- Self-Harm (primarily cutting or wrist slashing)
- S-e-x
- Bullying or abusing others
- Video Games
I’ve spoken to thousands of students across the U.S. and Canada about addictions. Each participant was asked: “What habits(s) do you most want to stop or reduce in your life right now?” The answers were startling.
A group of 265 students (Grades 7-12) anonymously listed 92 different destructive habits with which they were struggling – a total of 1031 times! This means that each child had an average of four habits from which they wanted FREEDOM.
The 12 most common addictive habits are listed above. The other 80 are equally as shocking. (for a full list visit www.thepowerofchoice.ca)
For only 265 kids to self-identify 1031 bad habits and addictions seems incredible. But it’s true. Yet there was nothing unusual about the type of schools these kids came from and the communities they lived in ranged from low-to-high income.
Often, these weren’t your typical “at-risk” students, referred by school officials, guidance counselors or parents. And for school staff, it was an eye opener. Many had been unaware of how many students were suffering in silence, and were stunned to hear of the multitude of addictive behaviors.
As a school speaker, I am fully aware that trying to scare students out of experimenting with dangerous or illegal activities is not the most effective approach.
That’s why I use my personal story of addiction in a different way — as a way of connecting my own challenges, pain and choices with theirs, so as to inspire those in pain to attend my healthy habits workshop and 28-day program.
What I’ve discovered is that kids relate to this. Yes, many are alienated or angry. Those with serious behaviours and addictions are afraid, and they’re desperate for a way out. But when someone is honest and direct with them, and has practical answers to the problems they’re facing, they are ready to listen.
What I’ve recognized and teach kids in my workshops is that being a victim is a choice. Yes, we may have been “victimized” and experienced bad things in our lives. But how we look at those events now is up to us.
As a teenager, my choices led me to become and stay addicted. By transforming what was behind my addictions and becoming responsible for the decisions I had made, I am now able to live free of addictions, rather than as a victim of my past.
What I want students to know is that they have this same choice. My workshops help kids shift their attention and energy away from the seemingly hopeless nature of their “bad habits,” and..READ MORE.
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