BANNING THE HABIT OR HEALING THE MIND? WHEN REGULATION BECOMES THE ADDICTION

Addiction is a pervasive and complex condition that impacts millions of people worldwide, transcending age, socioeconomic status, and culture. While often misunderstood as a moral weakness or a simple lack of willpower, addiction is, in fact, a chronic medical disorder that involves both the brain and behaviour. It affects the brain's reward system, disrupting normal functioning and leading to compulsive behaviour. Whether it involves substances like drugs, alcohol, or nicotine, or behaviours such as gaming or excessive screen time, addiction can have devastating effects on an individual's physical, emotional, and social well-being. Unfortunately, despite significant advances in understanding the science of addiction, society and legal systems often continue to treat it as a personal failing, rather than a health issue that requires a comprehensive treatment.  This view leads to harmful stigmatization and the implementation of legal measures that prioritize punishment over offering the necessary care and rehabilitation for individuals struggling with addiction. Instead of addressing the underlying causes of the condition, these approaches often exacerbate the problem, making it harder for individuals to seek help and recover.

Addiction is a complicated issue that comes from a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. It’s not just about how easily something is available but about deeper mental and emotional struggles. A lot of times, addiction is linked to emotional stress, trauma, or unresolved pain. For example, a person who has gone through a tough childhood, like witnessing domestic violence, may develop anxiety or depression, which can later lead to addictive behaviours.  In some cases, physical pain or extreme pressure, like in sports, can also push people toward substance use as a way to cope. Many people think addiction is either a disease or a personal weakness, but it makes more sense to see it as a compulsive disorder shaped by stress and difficult circumstances. The choices people make under these conditions play a big role in how addiction develops, and it’s more effective to focus on the real causes instead of just calling it a disease. Science shows that addiction is more about what’s happening in a person’s brain and mind rather than just how easy it is to access certain things. The best way to deal with it is through proper medical treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation rather than punishments, which don’t actually solve anything.  Instead of treating addiction like a legal problem, it should be handled as a health issue that needs the right kind of care. People also have the freedom to engage in different activities whenever they want, like watching movies, working late, or using social media. If there are going to be restrictions, they should focus on individual responsibility rather than blaming outside factors.  Some steps can be taken to encourage better habits, but in the end, it’s up to each person to manage their own choices.

Different countries have adopted various strategies to deal with addiction, recognising that it can be both substance-related (like drugs and alcohol) and behavioural (like excessive gaming or social media use). For substance addiction, many nations focus on harm reduction rather than strict punishment. Portugal, for example, decriminalized drug possession and shifted towards treatment programs instead of punitive measures. Countries like Switzerland and Canada provide supervised drug consumption facilities and access to medical support to help people recover.  Alcohol regulations also vary—some places limit liquor sales to specific hours or locations rather than banning it outright, ensuring that responsible consumption remains possible while addressing concerns about addiction. Behavioural addictions, such as excessive screen time, social media scrolling, and gaming, are handled differently. Instead of strict bans, measures like parental controls, screen time reminders, and digital well-being tools are encouraged. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Netflix provide features to monitor usage, but ultimately, individuals decide how they engage with these activities.  Even when restrictions are placed, people find alternative ways to continue their habits, showing how difficult it is to control addiction purely through external regulations. Interestingly, gaming platforms display cautionary disclaimers, warning users about potential addiction risks and urging responsible play. But when it comes to regulations, gaming is often targeted more than other digital activities. If there are no standardised measures to assess gaming addiction like there are for substance abuse, on what basis are these restrictions being put in place?

Addiction is a complicated issue that affects people in many different ways, including mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s important to stop seeing addiction as a personal weakness and instead understand it as a health problem that needs proper treatment and care. Whether it's about substance abuse or behaviours like gaming, the best way to help someone struggling with addiction is through medical support and understanding. Countries like Portugal, Switzerland, and Canada show that focusing on rehabilitation and care, rather than punishment, works better for recovery. However, when it comes to the law, addiction can be seen both objectively and subjectively. While some laws consider addiction as a factor in criminal cases, they still enforce rules in a straightforward way. The challenge is balancing these legal rules with the personal struggles of those facing addiction. However, when we try to remove the sources of addiction, we may be creating more harm than good. By restricting access to addictive behaviours or substances, we might push individuals to find other, possibly more dangerous ways to cope. If addiction is truly a health issue, then the response should be focused on treatment and prevention rather than selective targeting of certain activities. Instead of reactive measures, there needs to be a more structured, research-based approach that considers all forms of addiction fairly.

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