There are many viewpoints on what causes addictions. Some say it's hereditary. If we have the "addiction gene," we're going to get it. Others say it's our environment. If we grow up in poverty or have an abusive family, we're likely to become addicted.

When we were little children, at a very early age before we perceived anything was wrong in the world, life was joyous and wonderful. And then something happened; some specific event. It could have been anything. It did not have to be tragic or dramatic.

I've spoken to thousands of students across the U.S. and Canada about addictions. After doing general assemblies, I then gave workshops for those who were suffering from compulsive and addictive behaviours. Each child participant was asked this question: "What habits(s) do you most want to stop or reduce in your life right now?" The answers were startling.

I just experienced a miracle today. I ran my second marathon ever. As strange as it may sound, however, I didn't do it alone. It took a whole community of people around me to accomplish it. Let me explain...

As an addict for 17 years, someone who was bullied, and a bully in school myself, I've been looking closely at the connections between the two. And I often asked myself: Can bullying be an addiction? Well here's my conclusion? YES it can.

Many people hear the word addiction and think that simply means abuse of alcohol or drugs. In reality, the problem is more complex, and much deeper than that.

This is a really difficult subject for me to write about. It's difficult because it invokes such controversy.