Addiction in Adolescence 2
Abstract
This essay will discuss addiction in adolescence, how it affects social development, and the
possibility of spirituality and religion affecting those choices to engage in substance use.
Addiction can affect adolescents' social, cognitive, and intellectual development, lasting
throughout adulthood. While addicting substances carry a negative stigma, there are some
benefits to some substance use.
Keywords: Addiction, Substance Abuse, Adolescence, Religion, Spirituality
Addiction in Adolescence 3
Addiction in Adolescence
The most challenging time in a person’s life is the adolescent years. This portion of life is
complex because while growing up, you’re constantly wondering how your decisions will affect
your future. Because of the constant change in figuring out adulthood, adolescents are more
likely to participate in risky behaviors (Wong et al., 2021). Judgment can easily be clouded
during adolescence, and teenagers tend to experiment.
Alcohol and marijuana are the most prevalent substances used among high school
students (Simonton et al., 2018). According to our textbook, Counseling Individuals Through the
Lifespan, those who begin drinking alcohol before age 14 have a greater chance of becoming
addicted, causing them to suffer from neurocognitive deficits (Wong et al., 2021). Research also
says that cognitive functioning can predict addiction as it can affect working memory (Courtney
et al., 2019). Those with underdeveloped cognitive functioning may suffer from learning
difficulties and poor decision-making skills.
However, adolescents are quite resilient. People with high resilience could potentially
have proactive coping skills that could yield positive outcomes as opposed to those with high
maladaptive reactions to adverse situations (Tam et al., 2019). Although resilient, they can still
fall victim to addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, substance
use is associated with unintentional injuries and suicide, two leading causes of adolescent death
(Simonton et al., 2018).
Addiction in adolescence can be intimidating. Nevertheless, there are ways to counteract
the effects of substance use and addiction in adolescents. Physical activities can be effective
alongside other treatments (Simonton et al., 2018). Staying active is a good way for young adults
to focus on something else that offers the same dopamine effect as substances. The only downfall
Addiction in Adolescence 4
of physical activity to combat addiction is that as teenagers become adults, the number of
physical activities they participate in declines (Simonton et al., 2018).
If physical activity declines, adolescents can sometimes participate in religion to decrease
the likelihood of becoming addicted. Sharing morals and values with like-minded people can
help adolescents restructure how they view substances, thus reducing the likelihood of being
victims of addiction (Conn & Marks, 2017). Group therapies often work better because it gives
participants a sense of relief that they are not alone in their struggle.
In Dallas/Fort Worth, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD has dealt with traumatic events
with young adolescents overdosing on fentanyl. Fentanyl can be highly addictive because of its
potency. Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD had to save a middle schooler from overdosing on
Fentanyl a few weeks ago. While several suspected drug dealers have been arrested, this was the
second student in the past few weeks that had to be given Narcan due to overdosing, which
shows that the problem persists (Dial, 2023).
Some may have differing viewpoints regarding addiction in adolescence to substances
such as marijuana. More youth are willing to report their marijuana usage accurately because of
the evolving marijuana laws in the United States (Chadi et al., 2019). When researchers have
participants accurately reporting their substance usage, it can yield more accurate information
during their research. As marijuana becomes less taboo in America, stressful relationships and
fear of being punished by their parents appear to decline because of responsible marijuana usage
(Chadi et al., 2019).
In conclusion, addiction can be crippling. For some, at some point, the benefits outweigh
the risks. The fight against addiction in adolescence will be better resolved when the underlying
causes are addressed. Spirituality can be a grounding, safe zone for those suffering from
Addiction in Adolescence 6
References
Chadi, N., Levy, S., & Weitzman, E. R. (2019). Moving beyond perceived riskiness: Marijuana-
related beliefs and marijuana use in adolescents. Substance Abuse, 41(3), 297–300.
https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2019.1635972
Conn, B. M., & Marks, A. K. (2017). An ecological approach to understanding adolescent
prescription drug misuse. Journal of Adolescent Research, 32(2), 183–204.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558415589369
Courtney, K. E., Li, I., & Tapert, S. F. (2019). The effect of alcohol use on neuroimaging
correlates of cognitive and emotional processing in human adolescence. Neuropsychology,
33(6), 781–794. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000555
Dial, S. (2023, April 7). Narcan used to revive Carrollton Middle School student. FOX 4 News
Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved April 23, 2023, from
https://www.fox4news.com/news/narcan-used-to-revive-carrollton-middle-school-student
Jacobi, C. J., Charles, J., Vaidyanathan, B., Frankham, E., & Haraburda, B. (2022). Stigma
toward mental illness and substance use disorders in faith communities: The roles of
familiarity and causal attributions. Stigma and Health, 7(2), 234–246.
https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000373
Karoly, H. C., Ross, J. M., Ellingson, J. M., & Feldstein Ewing, S. W. (2019). Exploring
cannabis and alcohol co-use in adolescents: A narrative review of the evidence. Journal of
Dual Diagnosis, 16(1), 58–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2019.1660020
Simonton, A. J., Young, C. C., & Johnson, K. E. (2018). Physical activity interventions to
decrease substance use in youth: A review of the literature. Substance Use & Misuse,
53(12), 2052–2068. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2018.1452338 (Simonton et al.,
2018)
Tam, C. C., Benotsch, E. G., & Weinstein, T. L. (2019). Resilience and psychiatric symptoms as
mediators between perceived stress and non-medical use of prescription drugs among
college students. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 46(1), 120–130.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2019.1653315
Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Hernandez, W. L. (2021). Counseling individuals through the
lifespan. SAGE.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
