A. Michael Blanche MSS LCSW
Wednesday, April 13th, I attended, “The Real Deal” discussion on body image/social media and addiction. The discussion was presented by Michael A. Blanche (man in large picture above). The event was sponsored by WCASD High School PTO’s. Presenters and facilitators were: Ginny Durkan (Chester County Health Dept), Scott David (U.S. Dept. of Justice-DEA), Youth Leadership Counsel- WC Communities that Care, and Chester County District Attorney’s Office. Representations who attended the discussion were from: The Hood, United Way, YMP, The Path Forward, Chester County Hospital, Citizen’s Bank, Rep from Senator Andy Dinniman’s office and a few teens involved with the CTC program.
The discussion was an attempt to increase parental awareness on body image/social media and addiction.
One spectator asked, “How does ADHD effect addiction?”. The presenter explained how ADHD is a frontal lobe disease. The frontal lobe controls problem solving skills, emotions, memory, language, impulse control, social and sexual behavior. It’s considered the home of our personality. ADHD creates a mismanagement of focus, controlled by the frontal lobe. This draws someone, effected with ADHD,to substances or behaviors that hit the frontal lobe. Alcohol and drugs will stimulate the frontal lobe. This is the way an addict will self medicate.
Research shows that 7 out of 10 people suffering from an addiction also, suffer from a mental health issue. Many clinics do dual-diagnosis because of this statistic. Obsession is another characteristic of addictive behavior which leads to compulsive behavior. Again, this all comes back to the function of the frontal lobe which controls these tendencies. It was also stressed how imperative it is to stop addiction at early onset since the frontal lobe grows from age 16-23 years of age. As Mike put it, “you wouldn’t give alcohol to a baby because they are developing.” Teens are still in the process of development and external substances can prohibit their mental growth.
Type classifications for addiction are: substance addiction and process addiction. Substance addiction includes the use of alcohol and drugs. Process addiction involves gambling, sex, eating disorders and spending. The internet gives someone suffering from addiction easier access to the substance or the act. Technology is not the problem, it’s the way people use it that create the problem. Parents need to be aware of its capabilities so they can help educate their kids about the consequences.
Technology impairs communication skills and intensifies drama by eliminating process time. Access to cell phones with internet and text allow a problem to keep manifesting. The generation, pre-internet and cell phone, would have the night to come away from gossip or drama. The next morning everyone forgot about the issue and focused on the new drama of the day. Technology disrupts this process and allows a situation to keep going without a break.
The internet and cell phones tend to desensitize by eliminating face to face interaction. Without confronting the damage from bad behavior, such as cyber bullying, it prevents a bully from seeing the effects of his bullying. Technology also creates instant gratification that is a major contributor of addiction.
Image mis-management is another consequence of misusing technology. At our finger tips we have the ability to portray whatever image we want. This allows teens to live in a delusional world never facing reality. When someone suffers from an image obsession they have sites influencing their sick thoughts. One site actually promotes anorexia, it’s called Pro-Anna, and gives recommendations. We need to be aware that technology plays a key role in the growth of the addiction. In fact, there are 18 million sites about diet. It’s good to want to be healthy but we focus too much on weight instead of health.
A participant asked, “where are kids getting the alcohol?”. One of the teens quickly raised their hand but was cut off by an adult who felt they knew the answer. I turned to the person next to me and we looked at each other with the same thought, “why don’t we listen to the actual source?”. I feel this moment is important to share because it indicates another problem with parenting, they are assuming and not LISTENING! Times are different and parents as much as the kids need to be educated. Educate yourself on how technological advances are impacting teens today. Also, don’t underestimate your children. Kids are not ignorant when it comes to the internet. The problem stems from young teens not fully understanding the consequences. There is a difference between knowing and understanding. To understand you have to feel it and that involves having the information reiterated. We need to help kids live in reality and teach them how to communicate.
I felt the discussion was very eye-opening. A Michael Blanche did phenomenal job! Mike has four-teen years of experience providing direct clinical counseling for those who are dually diagnosed with addiction and other psychological disorders. Mike is a passionate individual devoting his time to helping people in recovery.
Please comment! If you have questions or would like more information about the programs mentioned or people, please feel free to email me at: joyjsorrentino@gmail.com.
