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Effects of alcohol and drug addiction on adolescents

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July, 2022

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Table of Contents Abstract 3 INTRODUCTION 4 The Problem Statement 4 Background and Contextual Justification 4 Define Key Terms and Theories 4 The history or relevance to field 5 Discuss how and what it contributes to the Field 6 Professional Interests of the Topic 6 A clear, direct purpose statement 6 Literature Review 6 Literature Sampling Approach Technique 7 Critical Analysis of Literature 7 History of Family Addiction and Background 7 Environmental Influence Including Social/Mainstream Media, Family Background etc. 9 Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors 11 Consequences of Drug Abuse and Addiction 13 DISCUSSION 15 Main Themes Meanings and Finding 16 Contribution to Field 16 Implications for Future Research 16 CONCLUSION 17 References 17

Abstract

The literature review study targets a significant understanding of the root cause of addiction and drug abuse among teenagers. An international problem is teen drug and alcohol misuse. Youth drug and alcohol abuse are on the rise, posing a severe threat to the next generation. All kinds of substances, from cigarettes and alcohol to hard narcotics like cocaine, marijuana, and heroin, have been tested by young people worldwide. Drugs have been around for a long time, but they are also used by people of all ages, including children. Adolescents' usage of drugs and medicine dependence is still a major public health issue. Families continue to disregard the qualitative shift in a teen's way of life, looks, and social circle because they are persuaded that this menace does not apply to their youngsters. More than one group or initiative has developed strategies to understand the addiction among teenagers. In the research, analysis of the literature assists in getting the root cause and effects of addiction and alcohol abuse. Findings indicated that the teenagers suffer from psychological illnesses, poverty and depression.

The addiction and drug abuse reported among young people, especially teenagers, is a global problem that demands lasting solutions. The population that is highlighted to engage mostly in drug abuse are the teenagers that are in their adolescent stage of trying out new things and also can experience peer pressure from colleagues. The issue that makes the problem much of a concern is the fact that it has huge repercussions that affect the lives of the young population and society in general. There are various causes of the addiction and abuse of drugs and also the effects that they and the community feel. The study targets uncovering the causes of the addiction among teenagers and the effects it has on them.

Importance of the Topic

Addiction and drug abuse among teenagers is an important topic to research in order to source the root cause of the challenge and give reliable and long-lasting solutions to the problem. Understanding the topic leads to developing the best prevention strategies that cannot be attained with limited information. The study details the literature about the causal factors of drug addiction and its effects on the target population.

The research findings showcase the strategies teenagers can adopt to avoid engaging in unhealthy behaviors like drug abuse that leads to addiction. Researching about the topic increases awareness on the matter of addiction and ways that teenagers can avoid and live a quality life.

According to sociological theories of drug addiction, some personality characteristics and barriers are to blame for drug usage. Several other aspects of society, including peer pressure, an absence of strong social ties, and the prevalence of drug cultures, are all thought to have a role in developing these ideas. In this context, "adolescence" refers to the period between the onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood; "addiction" refers to compulsive drug use, and "drug" refers to a chemical that produces a certain response in the human body.

Evidence suggests that people in Greece were using opium for both medicinal and spiritual purposes as early as 10,000 BCE (Sawhney & Kaur, 2016). This suggests that the usage of psychoactive substances has been present for nearly as long as documented history. In Egypt, around the year 5,000 BCE, there is evidence that people were drinking alcohol to the point of intoxication. There are approximately 2,000 references to wine and vineyards in the Bible by itself, and there is evidence of the use of marijuana dating back tens of thousands of years in Europe and Taiwan (Sawhney & Kaur, 2016). Cannabis, opium, and alcohol are all substances that have been regularly seen throughout history. Over the course of history, people's opinions and perspectives on certain drugs have shifted in response to many factors, including religious teachings, cultural norms, and industrial practices. Drinking alcohol was viewed as permissible in the Bible so long as it was done in moderation; nonetheless, it was considered wicked to drink excessively. The view that drinking alcohol was sinful was strengthened during the temperance movement of the late 19th century, which was illustrated by the movement to outlaw drinking. Alcohol consumption is generally accepted in American culture today and is even sometimes promoted and advertised as glamorous. However, some religions, such as Buddhism and Islam, do not permit the consumption of alcohol, and other religions, such as certain branches of Christianity, consider any excessive alcohol consumption to be immoral. The review of the literature in this study would assist in understanding the history of the drugs and their current status to find a lasting solution to the problem.

An addiction to drugs is a chronic illness that manifests itself in various ways throughout time. These ways include psychological, physiological, social, and environmental factors. The findings of this study will provide psychologists with a better understanding of the factors that contribute to the development of addictions in adolescents, as well as strategies for providing effective assistance to those who are afflicted.

Educating individuals about the factors leading to drug and alcohol addiction is something you can do as a future professional to help them from becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. Learners in psychology can build effective treatment plans for their clients by studying the various causes of addiction in their clients.

There is a widespread problem with drug abuse among adolescents. A variety of reasons have contributed to the rise in adolescent drug usage. Peer pressure influences and persons or teenagers with a history of drug use are more likely to encourage others to do the same. Adolescent drug abusers are more likely to endure long-term effects. Finding the root causes of teenage drug misuse is the purpose of this study.

This inquiry will use theoretical sampling. It is possible to describe theoretical sampling as the process of obtaining, coding, and analyzing data to create a theory, in which the analyst decides what data to collect next and where to place them to create his theory as it arises.

A person's propensity to experiment with psychoactive substances is reduced when they engage in socially acceptable activities, have a solid sense of their own value, and are involved with their peers. Young people in some societies may turn to drug addiction to satiate their emotional needs. This is particularly true if drug addict parents raised them or if their families paid them little attention. Because of its negative impact on community growth and prosperity, substance dependence and addiction have become a global problem. This problem affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, not just those from a certain class. This has become a major issue in society, particularly in developing countries. One of Iran's main issues is the precipitous decline in the starting age of substance misuse, which has been pegged at as young as nine years old in a recent study (Pozveh, & Saleh, 2020). Addiction significantly impacts a person's economic, cultural, and behavioral well-being. According to age and culture, a person's interest in addiction might be piqued by several factors. Teens who have a close friendship with an addict or whose parents are addicted are more likely to become addicted themselves. Some teens use narcotics to alleviate their loneliness, while others use them to occupy their leisure time. In recent studies, up to 19 percent of Iranian high school students have admitted smoking, drinking, or taking other substances at least once. Stress, melancholy, anxiety and conflict in the family have made this population more likely to experiment with substances.

Addiction therapy should be made more accessible by removing the reasons contributing to its spread and the obstacles that stand in its way. Several research has examined the importance of interpersonal expertise in avoiding or offering therapy to teenagers that have experienced substance abuse, and some studies have shown positive results, while others have produced negative outcomes. Adolescents benefit greatly from developing their social abilities, which is one of the most stunning components. The ability to manage one's emotions, restrain violence, enhance one's social competencies, and resist social disputes are all facilitated by a person's ability to use social skills. For this study, the goal was to examine the prevalence of teenage addiction, as well as the role of social skills in interpersonal relationships among high school students in different parts of the world.

“In the study, 600 high school students in Isfahan, Iran, were surveyed for a cross-sectional research based on a questionnaire” (Pozveh, & Saleh, 2020). In the research, there was the application of the data collection approaches, especially the interview and questionnaire, led to the understanding of the history and background explaining drug abuse and addiction. Unsurprisingly, those with a history of substance addiction were found to be significantly less educated and employed. For many individuals, the environment influences their behaviour, which is why they are addicted to substances of abuse and addiction. Students' susceptibility to addiction was found to be closely linked to proper interactive activity, unnecessary assertiveness, and best communication in the study outcome. Adolescents with poor social skills are more susceptible to being influenced by their peers to experiment with or become regular users of drugs. Low social skills were found to be strongly associated with the likelihood of becoming a daily smoker and beginning to smoke regularly between the ages of 13 and 16 years. Social skills were not statistically influenced by gender, however, boys had a much greater chance of getting addicted than girls. Higher rates were found in all areas, from individual to societal to behavioural issues. The findings that boys are more likely to become addicted to drugs and alcohol are in line with those of other studies conducted throughout Iran using various substances, including cigarettes, opium, alcohol, and stimulants. In other nations, there is less variation in the prevalence of substance usage among men and women. In countries like Iran, where women face restrictions, this may have resulted from weakening the mechanisms that prevent females from abusing alcohol and drugs. Students with higher-educated parents were less likely to get addicted and more successful socially. It also demonstrated that characteristics such as the mother's educational level, living in a dorm, and the history of parental divorce as risk factors for addiction was shown.

Incidence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and related elements amongst teenagers. Environmental risk factors have a significant impact on substance abusers in their formative years. For the majority of teenagers and young people, digital media has surpassed traditional marketing in importance. As a result, social media product placements have surpassed traditional advertising and media product placements. Peer-to-peer exposure through social media has been shown to have a significant impact on adolescents' perceptions of substance use, even if these studies have focused mostly on tobacco and alcohol. Adolescents and young adults are increasingly being exposed to media and marketing messages that encourage them to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse. According to one of the summarized research, the likelihood of becoming a tobacco user is increased by double when one is exposed to marketing and media. Another epidemiological study found a connection between exposure to tobacco promotion and the initiation of tobacco usage. Exposure to positive depictions of drinking in the media encourages young people to drink. More than any other medium, advertising for alcoholic beverages sets the bar high. There are, on average, three ads for alcohol per day that are shown to adolescents, with the most exposure among African American and Hispanic youngsters. A dose-dependent relationship exists between exposure to e-cigarette depictions and increasing e-cigarette use among middle and high school adolescents.

Health claims in e-cigarette advertising make things even more confusing. With the help of social media algorithms that anticipate brand choice based on venues frequented or the use of friends, user-generated marketing may be tailored specifically to the needs of teens. One's recognized peer group is associated with substance use through media depictions of that group using substances in desirable circumstances, which in turn impacts one's own commencement of substance use. Because there isn't as much media presenting the negative impacts of substance use/misuse, people are more likely to be exposed to and learn about the positive ones. Advertising has measurable effects on attitudes toward substance use, explicitly and implicitly. A favourable link between substance use and desirable social conditions increases the likelihood of an automatic (implicit) response to substance use, regardless of more measurable (explicit) attitudes toward substance use.

“About 1800 youths were surveyed in a cross-sectional study. Studies have shown links between adolescent drinking and various risk factors, such as smoking, parental divorce, increased internet usage, and bullying victimization” (Hallit,et al., 2020). According to our findings, higher levels of bullying victimization were linked to higher levels of AUD, which is in line with prior studies. Bullying is a serious public health issue that has long been related to psychological and physical health problems such as low self-esteem, isolation, sadness, and anxiousness. In trying to adapt to the indications of mood disorders that emerge after being bullied, it is indicated that AUD is a way to reduce anxiety and escape reality (Hallit,et al., 2020). In order to boost their social standing and self-esteem, some people turn to alcohol. In addition, young people are more likely to engage in AUD if they are in a peer-to-peer context since they are unable to resolve bullying issues on their own.

Our findings showed a link between an increase in childhood sexual abuse and an increase in AUD, which aligns with earlier research showing a similar link in teenagers (Hallit,et al., 2020). There are a number of possible explanations for this connection. Childhood sexual abuse commonly results in despair and anxiety, therefore the association is likely based on psychiatric disorders. Teenagers who do not have a healthy coping mechanism can use alcohol to cope with or escape the trauma of their upbringing, leading to alcohol abuse instead of helping them deal with their difficulties. According to research, antisocial behavior might be the result of childhood abuse, and kids in deviant peer networks are more likely to suffer from AUD.

The study has also demonstrated that the teenagers that are already in dependence to other drugs like the use of cigarette smoking have a chance of also engaging in alcohol drinking since they already developed the culture of seeking pleasure in drugs and substances. It has also been stated that the waterpipe smoking is more addictive among the adolescents because they are already vulnerable and this will apply to their alcohol use. The vulnerability that is developed among the smokers has shown that they increase the development of AUD.

The possible explanation for drug misuse is a person's socioeconomic situation. The world's population continues to rise at an alarming rate, despite a number of economic difficulties. Having a job is a big contributor to drug trafficking and drug usage. People around the world, particularly in developing countries, are looking for other ways to make a living because of the current unemployment crisis. Drug trafficking firms are formed as a result, lessening the distance between foreign drug lords and local drug dealers and making the substances more easily available to youngsters (Jongenelis et al., 2019). Unemployment among young people has pushed them to become involved in drug trafficking and abuse. Teenage and young adult drug usage and addiction is not solely a result of unemployment. Other factors that contribute to the prevalence of drug use among teenagers include income and wealth disparities that developed-country youths must contend with (Sawhney & Kaur, 2016). If the monies supplied to young people are not handled properly and responsibly, they can lead to abuse of substance like alcohol leading to addiction. Those with low incomes may be enticed to engage in drug trafficking as a result of income disparity. In the 21st century, youth unemployment has become a major problem. It has continued to have a significant impact on young people's growth potential. Young people are more likely to turn to drugs in an attempt to alter their feelings or perceptions of their impoverished condition, rather than accept the circumstance and find a method to overcome it. Unemployment causes stress, which in turn causes teenagers to turn to drugs in an attempt to alleviate their pain. They, on the other hand, become drug dependents. Unemployment makes young people more vulnerable to drug usage because they have more free time and opportunities to engage in socially deviant activities, such as drug abuse.

Substance abuse is more likely to occur among those who are older, married, have a college degree or more education, and are in a job. According to a study on alcohol and drug dependence, sex, age, and stigmatization were revealed to be important indicators (Jongenelis et al., 2019). In particular, they discovered that men and individuals in their younger years were the most at-risk categories. As a result, females with substance dependence were more likely to suffer from social anxiety and those over the age of 50 were more likely to have lower income and a lack of social support (Sawhney & Kaur, 2016). However, an older study revealed no association between demographic characteristics (sex, age, marital status and income) and higher scores on a drinking issue scale, despite the fact that these demographic variables were assessed. However, the author emphasized that some groups have distinct "norms" when it comes to drinking, i.e., drinking in social contexts is more acceptable, and what constitutes "problem drinking" may be relative to certain groups.

The study examined the consumption of booze, marijuana, and cigarettes among 15- to 17-year-olds (n = 1660; 51% male) (Jongenelis et al., 2019). In order to discover the reasons why adolescents drink heavily and use cigarettes, researchers employed a weighted multivariate regression. Twenty percent of people had taken at least one drug, seven percent had taken two, and three percent had taken all three at the same time, according to the research. Alcohol and tobacco were the most common drug combinations (Jongenelis et al., 2019). Alcohol and cigarette usage was the most common combination, followed by alcohol and cannabis use. Conduct issues, melancholy, and the school climate were shown to be the most significant contributors to the study's findings. In teenage drug abuse prevention programs, particular socio-psychological elements look particularly significant. Identifying and addressing the signs of adolescent depression and behavioral difficulties may be useful in preventing or postponing multi drug usage in this demographic.

While their young minds are still developing, today's teenagers face a slew of school, familial, and social issues. A teenager's toughest challenge is generally finding a place in the social world. Drugs are one of the many social issues that teenagers face. Non-medical marijuana states had a 33.3 percent increase in the number of high school seniors who reported consuming marijuana in 2016. (NIDA, 2016). Drug use among adolescents is still a major problem in many areas around the United States, regardless of whether it's because of peer pressure, cultural pressures, or curiosity. Addiction to drugs can have a negative impact on one's health, financial situation, and personal relationships, all while diminishing one's overall quality of life. Despite the fact that schools are aware of the problem, they are unable to do enough to alleviate it (Mayanchi et al., 2020). Teenage drug usage is still a terrible problem in large part because drug education is lacking or inadequate, and youngsters aren't being strongly influenced to abstain from using drugs.

However, because the teenagers’ bodies and minds are still developing, drug usage is harmful to their health. “In 2016, 45 percent of high school pupils drank alcohol, and 33.3% used marijuana, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse” (NIDA, 2016). Alcohol is considered the leading misused substance by the adolescents and needs an intervention to protect their health. For a variety of reasons, youths are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol, even though it is legal for them as well. Damage to the brain's memory, motor abilities and coordination has been proven to result from drinking during a "critical growth period" known as adolescence (Mayanchi et al., 2020). By affecting the development of brain regions crucial to cognitive and emotional functioning, other substances may raise the risk of mental illness. After reading these articles, it's evident that kids' developing brains are permanently harmed by substance misuse. As a result, society's future will be comprised of individuals with lesser cognitive abilities because the increasing abuse of the drugs and substances affects the teenager’s health as they grow older. There is a higher chance of children that starts as early as 13 years drinking alcohol to become an alcoholic or addict to the substance.

A wide range of factors have been demonstrated to be negatively impacted by drug usage. Crimes that leads to the incarceration of the teenagers in the U.S has been reported that 80% of them are associated to crimes committed by the young people while in the influence of alcohol and drugs (NIDA, 2016). Additionally, approximately half the prisoners and inmates in jail and prison are clinically addicted to drugs or alcohol. For a couple of reasons, there is a definite correlation between drug users and criminals. Most narcotics are prohibited to begin with, and it is possible to be arrested for simple possession. Second, drugs and alcohol impair judgment, resulting in decisions that one would not typically make while sober. Alcohol is no exception. The persons that are addicted to drugs are in a higher chance of engaging in crime activities like robbery and even finance the same illegal activity in a move to meet their needs. The government should consider adopting strategies of reducing the access of drugs by the young people in order to reduce the likelihood of them becoming criminals.

Addiction to drugs can lead to a variety of serious consequences, including death. People who regularly take drugs face a wide range of negative consequences, from psychological to social. Drug misuse can lead to mental health problems. Drug addicts are more likely to suffer from mental health issues. A drug abuser's mental health can be affected instantly or even decades afterwards. Psychiatrists have found a strong link between drug misuse and psychosis. The spread of life-threatening viral infections like HIV/AIDS has been linked to drug usage and addiction on multiple instances. Those who are under the influence of narcotics are more susceptible to contracting the deadly sickness. Additionally, substance usage increases the risk of contracting infectious infections. The next section is the discussion of the results and findings obtained from the literature.

There is a problem all over the world with young people using drugs and other substances, and it is something that deserves the attention of specialists. The rising prevalence of drug abuse among young people represents a significant challenge for the parents and grandparents of today and tomorrow. Young people all over the world have engaged in the practice of experimenting with a broad variety of substances, ranging from smoking and drinking to more intense narcotics such as cocaine, marijuana, and opium. In recent years, there has been a growth in the number of people who use illicit drugs. According to the World Drug Report, people across the globe between the ages of 15 and 50 have tried out illegal narcotics at least once (WDR) (Jongenelis et al., 2019). If they continue to take drugs uncontrollably during their adolescent years, they significantly increase their risk of experiencing serious repercussions. Individuals that are now in their twenties and thirties.

We hope that this research will provide important information, complement existing ideas and help further our understanding of drug and alcohol abuse. The findings of this study could lead to the development and implementation of more effective evidence-based treatments for the underlying reasons of drug addiction in adolescents. This study will lead to the development of effective ways for avoiding drug addiction, which will decrease the probability of drug addiction in teenagers dramatically.

Adolescent behavior is heavily influenced by the disintegration of cultural norms, hence it's necessary to perform further research on this topic. The dynamics of one's familial home have an impact on one's proclivity for drug abuse. Modernization and the rural-to-urban movement process are to blame for this issue. Due to the increasing number of unemployed people looking for alternative income sources, drug use among young people has increased. Joblessness is associated with a higher risk of drug use and human trafficking than stable employment is.

Drug misuse among young people is a worldwide problem. Several factors have contributed to the rise in the number of youth abusing drugs. Peer pressure plays a role in promoting teen drug misuse, with individuals who have used drugs themselves encouraging others to do the same. Because most parents have adopted western culture, social standards are being eroded, which has a significant impact on how children behave. This issue has been exacerbated by migration from rural to urban areas brought on by globalization. Drug usage among young people has been influenced by socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, with many unemployed citizens seeking methods to make ends meet. People who are unemployed are more likely to become involved in illegal activities such as drug use and trafficking. Drug misuse has a number of detrimental effects.

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