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Running head: ADDICTION AND ADOLESCENCE
Addiction and Adolescence
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ADDICTION AND ADOLESCENCE
Adolescence is that stage in life that elicits unhealthy conditions and behaviors, which not
only affects their health during that period but also into their adulthood. Adolescents are
subjected to unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and illegal drug use, which lead to
serious health issues like drug abuse and addiction. Addiction refers to a relapsing, chronic
disorder characterized by compulsive drug use and seeking, regardless of the adverse
repercussions (NIDA, 2020). Various current research articles give relevant information about
adolescent addiction, and the various interventions, necessary to deter substance addiction and
abuse.
According to Matheson and McGrath (2016), in the US, numerous families struggle with
adolescent drug abuse and addiction. A survey done in 2010 discovered that 36% of teenagers by
8th grade in the US have tasted alcohol at some duration in their life. However, by 12th grade, the
number rises to 71%. In regards to illegal drugs, 21% of teenagers have consumed illegal drugs
by 8th grade. The number rises to 48% by the time they reach 12th grade. According to Das
(2016), adolescents start alcohol and drug use to avoid social rejection; mitigate negative
feelings, to receive social accolades, and to boost their moods. Adolescents who indulge in drug
use to mitigate negative feelings indicated that they end up being addicted.
There are predisposing factors that lead to addiction. One factor is biological, where
genes, ethnicity, or even gender come into play. Scientists have indicated that epigenetic is a
gene expression that accounts for approximately 50% of an individual’s risk of addiction
(Matheson & McGrath, 2016). Additionally, teenagers with mental disorders have a higher
probability of indulging in drug use and hence addiction. The second factor is the environmental
factor linked to the neighborhood, school, and family. Parents who misuse alcohol or use drugs
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increase the risk of drug abuse in their adolescent children. Peer pressure in school leads to many
adolescents indulging in drug use and subsequent addiction. There was an increase in drug
overdose deaths among adolescents in the US in 2015 reaching 722 deaths. In 2016, Opium-
related deaths in Pennsylvania increased by 37%, necessitating the need for immediate
interventions to curb the issue (Sapatkin, 2017).
There are various interventions to mitigate drug use and addiction in adolescents. One
way of solving the issue is through changing attitudes and perceptions about chemical
dependence and abuse. The process begins through education, where facts about drug abuse and
alcohol are taught so that adolescents can perceive drug and alcohol abuse to be an unacceptable
way of coping with their daily life (Das, 2016). Adolescents should be given real-life examples
of detriments of drug and alcohol use so that they can comprehend the gravity of the issue. The
church should also intervene and the youth taught that their bodies are temples of Christ and they
should not blemish that temple with drugs and alcohol. Policy intervention is also applicable in
mitigating drug use, through the banning or restriction of drug and alcohol advertisements on
social media, television, billboards, and other platforms (Das, 2016). Community and family-
based interventions come in handy as the behavior of adolescents is nurtured at a tender age and
clear rules and boundaries on alcohol and drug use are set. Finally, schools should be very
vigilant when it comes to drug and alcohol use, by putting in place a no drug and alcohol use
restriction in the school compound.
In conclusion, drug use among adolescents is on the rise. Various current research articles
give relevant information about adolescent addiction, and the various interventions, necessary to
deter substance addiction and abuse. It is therefore imperative to have viable interventions to
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mitigate drug and alcohol use in teenagers through school-based, family/community, and policy-
based interventions.
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References
Das, J. K. (2016). Interventions for Adolescent Substance Abuse: An Overview of Systematic
Reviews. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59, S61-eS75
Matheson, J. L. & McGrath, R. T. (2016). Adolescent Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. Fact Sheet
No. 10.216
NIDA. (2020, July 13). Drug Misuse and Addiction. Retrieved from
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-
misuse-addiction on 2020, November 16
Sapatkin, D. (2017). Teen drug deaths are up; what can parents do? Retrieved on November 16,
2020, from https://www.inquirer.com/philly/health/addiction/adolescent-drug-deaths-
show-a-different-pattern-suicide-addiction-opioid-20170816.html
