In this talk, Dr Anastasia Hronis will discuss the neuroscience underpinning how and why we can become addicted or "hooked" on certain substances and behaviours in life. She will discuss the brain's reward system, and specifically, how modern day technology activates this system. She will discuss the difference between addictions and harms, and how to identify problematic behaviours in children, teens and adults. Anastasia will also provide practical strategies as to how people can make healthy and sustainable changes for themselves, while debunking certain myths and trends such as "dopamine detoxes" and "anti-dopamine parenting".
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Explain how the brain's reward system contributes to addictive behaviours
Describe how technology use influences dopamine pathways and habit formation
Distinguish between addiction and harm when assessing behavioural patterns
Identify early signs of problematic behaviours in children, adolescents, and adults
Apply practical strategies to help clients initiate and maintain behaviour change
Critically evaluate myths around dopamine “detoxing” and related pseudoscientific claims