At the annual Volksbondlezing Rotterdam, two CESAR members gave talks. Emese Kroon presented new work from our lab on adolescent substance use, aligning closely with the mission of Stichting Volksbond—to advance knowledge that supports the identification, prevention, and treatment of behavioral and substance addictions, and to strengthen public awareness around these issues. Miranda Lutz talked about what makes a behavior addictive and when is something a behavioral addiction.
Emese highlighted current statistics on substance use in Dutch adolescents and young adults, introduced our recent findings on barriers that people face when seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder, and the newly developed questionnaire designed to systematically assess these obstacles. She also shared results from our study of a two-week, fully online intervention aimed at helping young people reduce cannabis use. Initial engagement with the program appears promising, underscoring the potential of accessible digital support for youth.
Miranda explained in her talk when a behaviour is normal and healthy, and when it could escalate in behaviour that is potentially addictive. Our brain is eager to experience positive feelings and rewards, so in anticipation to this, it releases chemicals to enhance learning and remember these positive experience. It happens when we watch a funny video on social media, when we have sex, when we go through the drive-through. But can we get addicted to dancing, to sun-tanning and to scrolling on your phone? Perhaps yes, for gaming and gambling, but professionals should be critical when we consider other behaviours like sex or eating. Her talk made the audience aware of the difference between addictive behaviour and behavioural addiction.
The event featured several complementary talks. Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Lion Shahab (University College London) presented his perspective on vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking, emphasizing its reduced societal and health risks. The Youth in Transition project shared new insights into the long-term trajectories of addiction, mental health, and social functioning during the critical transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Additional presentations examined how proximity to cannabis coffeeshops influences adolescent use, and clarified the distinction between behavioral addictions and addictive behaviors that do not meet clinical criteria.
The Volksbondlezing once again showcased cutting-edge research and reinforced the importance of evidence-based approaches to supporting young people at risk for substance-related problems.
