ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENCE 1
Addiction in Adolescence
Robin Fowler
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
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Addiction in Adolescence
The period of time in a child’s development, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen years
old, is considered early adolescence. During this time in a child’s life, as they continue to develop both
physically and cognitively, they also begin to shift their attachment from their parents to their peer
groups (Wong et al., 2015). This paper will explore the effects of substance abuse on adolescents,
foundations for resilience in adolescence, and how spirituality impacts substance abuse during this
developmental stage.
Current Research
Wong et al. present several theories for why adolescences are more likely to engage in high-risk
behaviors (2015, p. 181). Lees et al. (2021) suggest that the adolescent brain is in a time where it is
susceptible to alcohol and other substances. This period of time is also one where teens shift their
attachment from parents to a broader attachment social attachment to their peers (Wong et al., 2015,
p. 169). During this time there is also a theory that peer influence can play the role of a rewarding
stimuli (Lees et al., 2021). Because teens are at an age where they are shifting attachments from their
parents to their peers, this creates an environment where they are more vulnerable to high-risk
behaviors (Lees et al., 2021).
Interventions
Wong et al. noted that teens who had positive adult role models were less likely to use alcohol
or other substances (2015, p. 181). UCLA used an undergraduate outreach program, Drug Outreach,
Promoting Awareness (DOPA), to local high schools to convey the risks and addictive potential of
commonly abused drugs (Litchtenberg, 2020). During this program, they found that students who
participated in DOPA had a raised awareness of the harms and addictive potential of commonly abused
substances. This study did not formally follow up with students to determine if the knowledge they
acquired curtailed substance abuse.
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In researching local issues with teen drug use and addiction, I was surprised to find no local
news articles about teen drug use or addiction. I did find two articles that talked about interventions
that are used in our school district. Our middle schools use red ribbon week to raise awareness of
alcohol and drug abuse (Rossmiller, 2018). Rossmiller claims that use of illicit drugs, other than
marijuana, has dropped by two-thirds among junior and high school students (2018). I was unable to
find support for her numbers, although she did list Fort Hood’s Army Substance Abuse Program as a
resource. I hesitate to comment on the amount or lack of alcohol and drug use in our local area because
I was unable to substantiate any assertion. If Rosmiller’s assertion is true then that would explain the
lack of local news coverage.
The second article I read deals with high school students studying pharmacology (Cove Herald,
2020). These students learned about prescription medications and the opioid crisis. This type of class is
in line with DOPA and was used to raise awareness in students.
Spirituality and Addiction
Coming from a spiritual tradition that emphasizes avoidance of high-risk behaviors, it was
interesting to read that experts consider risk-taking in adolescence “normal” (Wong et al., 2015, p. 181).
Wong et al. present the idea that teens should be encouraged to channel their energy into less
dangerous and more constructive risks (2015, p. 181). This seems to follow current spiritual thought
that is encouraging Christian teens to “do hard things”. This current thought is calling students to find
their place in the world and to follow the tradition of Timothy, whom Paul encourages “Don’t let anyone
think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you
live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NLT).
Research has found that adolescents with higher religiosity and spirituality scores have lower
levels of high-risk behaviors, and also higher psychosocial maturity and psychological well-being (Nadal
et al., 2018). Religiosity is associated with the institutions of religion and a specific doctrine. Spirituality
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is associated with a personal, individual search for the sacred (Nadal et al., 2018). A strong sense of
religiosity could be tied to a strong church base; this could support teens with positive role models and
even counter the effects of low family support. The strong sense of spirituality could be the resolution
for Erikson’s Psychosocial Developmental task of identity versus role confusion during adolescence
(Wong et al., 2015, p. 27).
Conclusion
I agree with Wong et al.’s conclusion that adolescence is a time when guidance is needed to
encourage teens to focus their energy on less dangerous and addictive behaviors and more on
constructive risky pursuits (2015, p. 181). From a spiritual perspective, when we encourage teens to
begin transitioning from the faith of their parents to their own relationship with God, we build on a
foundation that will carry the teen from the developmental stage of adolescence to emerging adulthood
and beyond. Further research could be done to see what effect programs that challenge teen’s spiritual
development have on curtailing substance abuse.
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References
Cove Herald. (2020, March 6). Copperas Cove High pharmacy students examine opioid crisis.
https://kdhnews.com/copperas_cove_herald/copperas-cove-high-pharmacy-students-examine-
opioid-crisis/article_045baacc-5e70-11ea-9c55-ab02d5a5f00f.html
Lees, B., Garcia, A. M., Debenham, J., Kirkland, A. E., Bryant, B. E., Mewton, L., Squeglia, L. M. (2021).
Promising vulnerability markers of substance use and misuse: A review of human neurobehavioral
studies. Neuropharmacology, 187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108500
Lichtenberg, N. T., Thompson, A. B., Iguchi, M. Y., Evans, C. J., Romero-Calderon, R. (2020). An
undergraduate student-led neuroscience outreach program shows promise in shifting teen
attitudes about drugs. Mind, Brain, and Education, 14(4), 387-299.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1111/mbe.12261
Nadal, A. R. C., Hardy, S. A., & Barry, C. M. (2018). Understanding the roles of religiosity and
spirituality in emerging adults in the United States. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 10
(1), 30-43. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000104
Rossmiller, E. (2018). S.C. Lee students experience feelings of intoxication during red ribbon week.
Copperas Cove Leader Press. https://www.coveleaderpress.com/news/s-c-lee-students-
experience-feelings-intoxication-during-red-ribbon-week
Wong, D., Hall, K. R., Justice, C. A., & Hernandez, L. W. (2015). Counseling individuals
through the lifespan. Sage.
