Ep 65: Digital Process Addiction in Children, Teens, &Adults in an Age of Compulsory Internet Usage

        In this episode, I speak with Alex about his career working with addiction. While there are countless resources for substance-related issues—such as drug, alcohol, and sex addiction—he noticed a striking lack of support when it came to process addictions related to technology use. He shared how he connected with and learned from Dr. Hilarie Cash, founder of reSTART, a pioneering treatment program for technology addiction. Alex discusses his work with parents, helping them implement comprehensive behavioral strategies to support children and adolescents in developing a healthy relationship with technology. He delves into the unique challenges of treating behavioral addictions, which can involve greater complexity than substance-related ones. Alex highlights the importance of helping young people connect with their values, become more intentional with their screen time, and take a holistic approach to balance—not just with technology, but across all areas of life. The conversation also explores how parents can coordinate across households to create consistent expectations around technology use and how they can impose meaningful limits even when school-issued laptops have minimal built-in safeguards. Alex concludes by discussing how screen use can become a mechanism for emotional avoidance, which can significantly block personal growth. He underscores the need to prioritize self-care and emotional awareness to prevent this from becoming a long-term negative coping strategy. 

“In episode 541 host Eric Tivers, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP, speaks with licensed marriage and family therapist Alex Bache about digital addiction and its impact on ADHD, anxiety disorders, and OCD, particularly in adolescents and young adults. The discussion covers identifying behavioral addictions, the role of dopamine in addiction, and interventions like motivational interviewing and harm reduction. They also explore the balance between gaming for social connection and potential addiction, offering strategies for parents and individuals.”

“In this enlightening conversation, Chris from the National Parents Organization sits down with Alex Basche, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in the Bay Area, California, who specializes in combating digital addiction among children and teenagers. With a wealth of experience, including appearances on CBS News and contributions to various podcasts and conferences, Alex shares his journey into the realm of digital addiction therapy. He discusses the alarming similarities between the brains of those addicted to substances and those suffering from internet gaming disorders, highlighting the profound impact on kids’ and teenagers’ lives.”

“In this episode we discuss how to bridge online gaming with offline tabletop games as a way to ease kids into in person socializing, the concept of Game Transfer Phenomena (a condition in which gamers can experience auditory and visual hallucinations) and much more.”

 About The Show

 Healthy Screen Habits has become a resource for many navigating their digital parenting journey. Each 30 minute episode of the Healthy Screen Habits Podcast provides advice from experts, teens and regular folks as well as a healthy screen habit to try out in your own home. 

Parenting is hard, technology can make it tricky. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play or most other podcasting platforms.

 “For this show we were delighted that Alex Basche reached out to us and offered to have a chat about Digital Detective Burnout – he has some really helpful tips for parents and carers who are fed up with trying to keep a step ahead.”