Addiction in Adolescence Essay

Submitted By anjelicamaleika
Words: 723
Pages: 3
Open Document
Anjelica Harris
Addiction in Adolescence
Liberty University

Many people believe that substance abuse and addiction both refer to the same thing. However, although both refer to a condition commonly associated with drug and alcohol use, they actually have very different meanings (Michael’s House). Substance abuse focuses on abusing a particular drug, but it is not necessarily a habit. Where addiction is being controlled by a substance, and you have to indulge in the substance. It runs your life, and you cannot go a day without the drug. The relationship between substance abuse and addiction is that people have a love for a substance such as drugs and alcohol.
Addiction and abuse affect the brain and are known to cause to serious injuries to the brain. Factors that are more likely to occur include loss of concentration, loss of memory, loss of motor skills, and being able to cope with emotions. Adolescent’s brains are still developing, so this may cause permanent damage. Due to the structure of their brain, those teens who do give in to their impulses and dabble in addictive substances might also develop addictions at a rapid pace, when compared to their adult counterparts (Muir Wood). Adolescents are more likely to engage in substance abuse than adults. This may cause the adolescents to be stuck with their decisions for the rest of their life. This may be something that they ever be able to change.
Religious beliefs and practices may play an important role in the prevention of serious alcohol and drug problems and in rehabilitation of abusers (Graham 2011). People who are spiritual or have a religion are less likely to engage in substance abuse. They would not want to disappoint their higher being, and be defiant. Whereas, some religions may encourage substance abuse. This may effect adolescents because they may have something to believe in, and may not what to go against what they believe in. But, if the adolescents religion encourages substance abuse, then the adolescent may be more likely to engage in taking a substance. An adolescent that may have abused drugs, may seek a religion, and this may help steer the adolescent away from the substance. God may be the key to help someone receive the treatment they need, or even help them make it through the treatments they are receiving for abusing the substance.
Reading through different articles in Memphis, I was able to locate an article referring to a program working with mother’s to educate them about teen’s who abuse substances. The program is called Drug Free Kids, and it is a nonprofit organization. For the second consecutive year, CafeMom, the leading digital media company for moms, has teamed up with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing substance abuse among adolescents to raise awareness about the dangers of teen substance abuse (WMC Action News Five). It
Show More

Related Documents: Addiction in Adolescence Essay

Abuse And Substance Addiction In Adolescence

Abuse and Substance Addiction in Adolescence Dana D. Frazier Liberty University Abuse and Substance Addiction in Adolescences Introduction Did you know that one in 15 high school seniors smoke marijuana on a daily basis or near daily basis, and close to three quarters have consumed alcohol by the end of their high school years (Feldman, 2013, p. 371)? The adolescence years can be characterized by irresponsible behavior and risky choices for some, causing the prevalence of substance abuse…

Words 841 - Pages 4

Adolescents and Addiction Essay

Adolescents and Addiction Lyn Stewart Liberty University Abstract Adolescent addiction is a prevalent part of American society and has been for decades. Adolescents are impulsive and are driven by peer pressure and heightened emotions and increased hormone production. Their brains are still developing which can cause the adolescent to behave erratically and defy authority. In addition to an under developed brain and central nervous system, many adolescents are the product of…

Words 1848 - Pages 8

Essay on Addiction: Brain and Liberty University Online

During the stage of adolescence many are in the stage of finding themselves. This is stage where the youth are going through puberty. Often times during this stage of life individuals are trying to form their identity. Adolescences are also faced with negative challenges such as peer pressure, bullying, violence, and substance abuse/use. Often times during this stage of life the youth may get off track and try to figure out how to find themselves as an individual. Abuse or Addiction affects the developing…

Words 400 - Pages 2

Brain And Behavior Major Paper

Running Head: Substance Abuse, Adolescence and the Brain 1 Robin Collins Substance Abuse, Adolescence and the Brain The University of Texas at Arlington Running Head: Substance Abuse, Adolescence and the Brain 2 Introduction “This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs.” Those words were used in an anti-drug campaign which exhibited an egg being fried…

Words 3774 - Pages 16

Comorbidity Addiction

Comorbidity Addiction and other Mental Illnesses Comorbid is the description used when a person is diagnosed with 2 or more disorders or illnesses simultaneously or sequentially. Comorbidity also implies interactions that occur between the illnesses that affect the course and prognosis of both ("Comorbidity," 2010). To understand comorbidity we must understand that addiction is a disease because of the physical changes that occurs in the brain when a person is becoming addicted. This…

Words 538 - Pages 3

Article Summaries Essay

helps minimize tobacco addiction (Riggs, Chih-Ping, Chaoyang, & Pentz, 2007). This article is interesting to me because my mother suffered the effects of tobacco use for several years, and I saw the effects it had on her. Understanding what she went through before finally quitting and understanding why people begin smoking are interesting thoughts to me. I did not like smoking and was against it completely until I turned 31. I decided to try this after coming off an addiction. I quit after two…

Words 875 - Pages 4

Essay on psy201 wk5 Development Matrix

University of Phoenix Material Development Matrix – Childhood and Adolescence Part I – Developmental Stages For each developmental domain, physical, cognitive, and social, identify two major changes or challenges associated with the following stages: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Stage of Development Physical Development Cognitive Development Social Development Childhood During physical development a Child has a greater plasticity in their neural functions. The body starts to physical…

Words 473 - Pages 2

Why Was Nicotine Named After Jean Nicotine

than infants born to non smokers; smaller head circumferences; long lasting effects on intellectual and physical development; sudden infant death syndrome; respiratory difficulties; miscarriage and increased risk for nicotine dependence during adolescence are all effects of smoking during pregnancy. Nicotine acts through which neurotransmitters in the brain? How does it interact with this neurotransmitter? Nicotine acts through acetylcholine. It mimics it by acting at several nicotinic subtypes of…

Words 407 - Pages 2

The Different Stages Of Childhood

Paper #2 Life has so many stages when growing up such as infancy, toddler, middle childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. As an infant I believe every child has affectional needs. Birth is a beautiful thing, and holding your child for the first time should be the most exciting and precious thing. When I was first born I had to stay in the hospital for a whole month because I was really sick, and the doctors wouldn’t let me leave until I was completely healthy. My mother said “seeing you that sick…

Words 1061 - Pages 5

Causes of Substance Abuse Essay

Substance Abuse It is a fact that most people who have an alcohol or drug addiction now, most likely were introduced to the substance as a teen or even younger. Substance abuse is the excessive use of potentially addictive drugs or alcohol, which can and will harm your bodily functions. Many people who begin abusing substances don’t realize how dangerous the substances are. Before they know it, they are abusing drugs and alcohol daily, and their abuse has become a problem. Substance abuse is one…

Words 976 - Pages 4