the 8th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (ICBA 2023) from the 23rd to the 25th at the Songdo Convention Center.
On the first day of the event, experts participating in the conference gathered for a commemorative photo.
As behavioral addiction issues become increasingly severe worldwide, experts are becoming more active in addressing the matter. In this context, the Korean Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the International Society for Behavioral Addiction Research are hosting the 8th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (ICBA 2023) today (23rd) at the Songdo Convention Center. The conference will continue until the 25th.
In its 8th year, this academic conference brings together experts from diverse disciplines, including addiction medicine, psychology, public health, nursing, social welfare, education, and information technology. With various behavioral addiction disorders and new treatment options emerging, the conference aims to build upon foundational knowledge and integrate new insights to offer safer and more effective treatment methods for a wide range of individuals struggling with addiction.
Bishop Kyung-chon Yoo, the Chairman of the Korean Addiction Research Foundation, stated, "While we are overcoming the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic through the power of new communication and relationships facilitated by digital means, the increased digital communication has also led to a rise in addiction risks related to entertainment content such as social media, online gambling, and explicit material." He further expressed, "In such a context, the gathering of interdisciplinary experts from around the world to engage in academic presentations and discussions holds great promise as part of a comprehensive effort to address these issues."
Furthermore, Hae-kook Lee, the Director of the Korean Academy of Addiction Psychiatry(Co-Organizing Chair), mentioned, "This conference has attracted the participation of over 250 researchers from more than 20 countries worldwide, along with around 300 domestic experts and practitioners." He added, "We will strive to generate solutions for various behavioral addiction issues."
In his address, Vladimir Poznyak, head of the unit Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours at WHO remarked, "In the wake of the intensified behavioral addiction issues following the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Conference on Behavioral Addictions held in Korea holds immense significance." He stated, "As behavioral addictions become more accessible, the World Health Organization is committed to expanding international collaborative research to address behavioral addiction challenges, including developing diagnostic tools for gaming disorder and treatment interventions."
before commencing his keynote lecture.
In the keynote lecture, Professor Gainsbery from the University of Sydney, a prominent authority on gambling addiction, presented "Reconceptualising reducing gambling harm." Professor Gainsbery discussed how efforts to promote low-risk gambling can be devised through a consumer-centric approach. His presentation received an enthusiastic reception from the audience as he elaborated on ways to foster safer gambling practices using a consumer-oriented methodology.
Then, Professor RUMF from the University of Lübeck delivered a presentation on "Early Interventions in Internet Use Disorders." Professor Romp highlighted the necessity of early interventions to treat internet use disorders through research and literature review on effective treatments. He also emphasized the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration among experts, underscoring the need for active research efforts.
Next, Professor Hyeon Woo Yim from the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Catholic University of Korea delivered a lecture on "Natural History and Relating Factors of Internet Gaming Disorder in Korean Children and Adolescents." Professor Yim presented the results of a school-based prospective cohort study conducted over a 2-year follow-up period to understand the natural course of internet gaming disorder among Korean elementary and middle school students in 3rd to 4th grades and 1st grade, respectively. He discussed the severity of internet gaming disorder in children and adolescents and the factors contributing to its onset and persistence. He captivated the audience by highlighting that high-risk internet users in Korea tend to play games for more than 4 hours a day and exhibit characteristics of ADHD(Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
On the other hand, the Korean Academy of Addiction Psychiatry established in April 1996, is a medical academic organization composed of neurologists and psychiatrists. Its mission is to research the field of alcohol and other addictions, contribute to the treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of habits, and promote academic discourse in the related area. The society holds regular academic conferences, training programs for medical professionals, specialization training, workshops for executive members, and more, enriching theoretical knowledge. Additionally, the society actively fosters international exchange with renowned speakers and foreign organizations while persistently engaging in public efforts for policy development and social awareness related to various addiction issues.
