Understanding Digital Behavioral Addictions artwork
Veterans 4 Recovery

Understanding Digital Behavioral Addictions

  • S4E27
  • 31:02
  • January 12th 2026

Major John Donovan (Ret.) welcomes clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Zhang to discuss digital behavioral addictions, including gambling, pornography, and gaming and their growing impact on veterans, service members, and families. Dr. Zhang breaks down the psychology behind these addictions, why they’re so hard to escape, and how technology has accelerated the crisis.

The conversation explores the rise of online gambling, cross-addiction patterns, and the lack of real-time recovery support. Dr. Zhang also shares practical tools, resources, and hope for recovery, reminding listeners they are not alone and change is possible.

Guest: Dr. Michael Zang, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Incumental

Resources: incumental.com | Gamblers Anonymous | Sex Addicts Anonymous

Recovery is possible. Support is available. You don’t have to fight this alone.

Veterans 4 Recovery

All Things Recovery! Join your host, Maj. (Retired) John Donovan, a noted author, lecturer and person in long-term recovery from substance use disorder, as he and his guests will breakdown current trending topics and research along with all things related to increasing recovery resilience and capital within our Veteran and service-member communities.

John Donovan avatar
John Donovan
Host

Major John Donovan is the co-founder of the Recovery Community Network (RCN) in St. Cloud, Minnesota, an organization devoted to serving and advocating for the recovery community of Central Minnesota. John is a person in long-term recovery with over 45 years of recovery. He is a highly decorated 27-year veteran of the Armed Forces and has deployed three times in the service of our nation since 9-11. He holds an associate’s and bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree from Boston University. John serves on several recovery related boards and he is an active and energetic advocate for recovery. He is a popular speaker and workshop facilitator and he contributes monthly to a recovery blog. John’s book, “A Soldier’s Recovery Journey”, was published in April of 2021 and he was a contributing author to Hazelden's veterans' daily meditation book entitled "Leave No One Behind."