Cautious, has he been assessed by a Mental Health professional? They're excellent at picking up addictions behaviors and sorting them out from actual mental health issues. To be honest, most addictions are a cover-up for what's going on emotionally anyway. If this kid is your step-son (I have 2 step-children myself) he may well be dealing with attachment or abandonment issues. I don't know the relationship between him and his mother, but some of his behaviours sound so familiar! Just out of curiosity, how is he doing in school? Has he required tutoring or other special supports? If you'd like to message me privately, I have a few other questions, too ... but I don't want to put you on the spot of exposing too much to the whole world. If you'd like to chat or vent or ask questions privately, just know that I'm here. :-)
My apologies to anyone I've offended. And with that, I'm disappearing. Enjoy the forum.