The Future of Behavioral Addictions Takes Center Stage at 11th ICBA in Istanbul
The 11th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (ICBA[FDA1.1]), one of the world’s leading scientific forums on behavioral addictions, got underway at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul in collaboration with the Turkish Green Crescent Society. Running from 24 to 26 August 2026, the conference brings together scientists and experts from around the world to explore the latest research and emerging perspectives on behavioral addictions.
The conference brought together researchers, academics, psychologists, and health and social care professionals to examine a range of behavioral addictions, including problematic internet use, gambling, shopping, and eating disorders. Previously held in Hungary, Switzerland, Israel, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Gibraltar, and France, the 11th edition of ICBA is being held in Istanbul in collaboration with the Turkish Green Crescent Society.
The opening session on 24 August featured Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Dinç, President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, along with members of the Society’s Board of Directors and Scientific Committee, as well as international speakers.
“THE NATURE OF ADDICTION IS CHANGING EVERY DAY”
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Dinç, President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, said that the changing nature of addiction calls for a fresh look at scientific approaches. Dinç noted that addiction had long been viewed primarily in terms of substance use, but that gambling, gaming, problematic internet use, and other behavioral addictions are increasingly emerging as areas of concern.
Dinç emphasized that, in the digital age, it is no longer enough to understand addiction solely in terms of individual behavior. “We need to ask not only, ‘Why does a person lose control?’ but also, ‘What kind of environment makes it more likely for someone to lose control?’” he said. He noted that addiction encompasses individual, environmental, and systemic dimensions, emphasizing the importance of bringing together different disciplines—including neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, public health, sociology, technology, economics, and ethics—to address the issue from multiple perspectives.
Dinç also stressed that the Green Crescent’s approach goes beyond treating addiction. He highlighted the importance of preventing addiction, reducing stigma, strengthening psychological and social resilience, and creating environments that support healthy choices.
LEADING SCIENTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD GATHER AT BOĞAZİÇİ UNIVERSITY
The first day of the conference brought together prominent researchers from around the world specializing in behavioral addictions. Scientists from leading institutions, including Yale University, the University of Chicago, the University of Geneva, and the University of Lausanne, were among the conference speakers. The opening program featured Marc N. Potenza, Hae Kook Lee, Sophia Achab, Maèva Flayelle, Jon Grant, Daniel King, and Wim van den Brink.
Zsolt Demetrovics, President of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Addictions (ISSBA), the organization behind ICBA, also attended the conference. The scientific committee brings together experts from a range of countries, including Canada, Japan, Spain, South Korea, Hungary, Germany, the United States, and China.
INTERNATIONAL GATHERING PROMOTES SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION
In addition to providing a platform for researchers to share the latest findings, the conference is fostering new scientific networks and international collaborations among experts from around the world. ICBA, which aims to advance multidisciplinary approaches to the evolving and increasingly diverse nature of behavioral addictions, will continue at Boğaziçi University through August 26.
