ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENCE
Abstract
Adolescence is a precarious time in an individual’s life because they are not quite a child but not
yet an adult. This in between time is when individuals are at the highest risk to develop
substance use disorders and addictions. There is a host of negative consequences associated with
substance abuse, including neurological deficits and engaging in risky behavior with potentially
dangerous consequences. There are however, preventative and response based interventions that
can assist individual avoid and overcome substance abuse and addictions. Moreover, those
adolescents involved in a faith integrated lifestyle are much more resilient against engaging in
substance abuse. Currently in Guilford County, located in the state of North Carolina, high
schools and universities alike are implementing programs to combat against this scourge on the
adolescent developmental stage.
ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENCE
Benchmark Assignment: Addiction in Adolescence Essay
While it is permissible if individuals are of age, to partake in the consumption of some
substances in the United States, recreational usage can and often does lead to substance abuse
and addiction. Alcohol consumption is a form of recreation and relaxation, especially among
those between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five years (Wong, Hall, & Hernandez, 2021). The
Department of Health and Human Services reports that over fifty percent of all individuals in this
age range currently drink alcohol. During adolescence is when individuals typically engage in
underage drinking. If individuals begin drinking too young, they are at increased risk for
developing an alcohol abuse disorder and becoming an addict. Moreover, underage drinking can
also lead to severe consequences, such as alcohol poisoning, neurodegeneration, and
impairments in functional brain activity. The neurological risks include brain damage and
neurocognitive deficits in learning and intellectual development that are irreversible and persist
into adulthood (Wong, Hall, & Hernandez, 2021).
In addition to alcohol abuse and addiction, drug abuse and addiction has gained
prevalence as well. Adolescents, especially late adolescents have the highest rate of drinking,
taking pills, using marijuana (Wong, Hall & Hernandez, 2021). This also includes nonmedical
use of prescription drugs, which is rampant at colleges and universities, along with underage
drinking. Alcohol and substance abuse, particularly marijuana have been linked to increased
participation in other risky behaviors, as well as decreased cognition and motor coordination.
For instance, these individuals are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as
promiscuity and unprotected sex. They are also at higher risk of sexual assault, physical injury,
and driving under the influence, and death (Wong, Hall, & Hernandez, 2021).
ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENCE
Since early and late adolescence is the time when most individuals engage in alcohol and
drug abuse and addiction, education and interventions that concentrate on this detrimental
behavior should begin as early as possible (Wong, Hall, & Hernandez). The direct effects that
these substances have on the body, as well as the indirect effects of engaging in risky behavior
should all be covered in detail as soon as adolescents enter into high school. In this way,
adolescents can make more informed choices when they choose to partake or not partake in the
substance abuse culture of high school and college years. Counselors can be of assistance to
these individuals as well. They can assist clients in developing skills for coping with cravings,
refusing offers for substances, challenging maladaptive thoughts, coping with negative effects,
and improving interpersonal behaviors (Wong, Hall, & Hernandez, 2021).
Healthy spiritual development may reduce the likelihood of substance use, abuse, and
addition in early and late adolescent years. According to Grim and Grim (2019), faith has an
undeniable contribution to preventing individuals from stumbling into the pitfalls of substance
abuse, as well as recovering from substance abuse. Evidence-based studies have found that
youths are less likely to use or abuse drugs and alcohol if they are spiritually active, participate in
a faith community, and invest in a praying relationship with God. Edmund and collegaues
(2010) also found a correlation between religiosity and decreased risk of substance use disorders,
regardless additional social support or mental health status. Not only are youths who have
healthy spirituality less likely to engage in substance abuse, those who do not consider religious
belief important are five times more likely to binge on alcohol, three times more likely to smoke,
and almost eight times more likely to use marijuana (Grim & Grim, 2019). According to Grim
and Grim (2019), adolescents who are involved in faith-based activities not only have values that
ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENCE
view substance abuse as negative, but they also have a greater resiliency when faced with the
stressors that lead to using illicit substances and alcohol as a coping mechanism.
While at times it seems like political issues, such as adolescent drug use are far away,
there have recently been stories in the news regarding substance use in Guilford County, North
Carolina. According to WFMY News 2, the past decade has seen a 200% increase in drug
overdoses deaths in Guilford County NC (McMiller & Barnes, 2023). This is due to the
prevalence of the drug fentanyl. Counselors at high schools have reported that students put
themselves at risk because they seek to self-medicate through opioids, vaping, and alcohol. The
teachers are very concerned with the increase in drug use at school, especially in the school
bathrooms. The faculty has grown increasingly concerned that the pills that the students are
taking may be laced with fentanyl, while the students are under the impression, they are taking
Xantax or Adderall. Students took a drug use survey at town hall in Greensboro, NC, and the
results were striking. Students admitted to more drug use than was previously known because
they could submit responses anonymously. The parent-teacher associations (PTAs) are now also
taking extra measures to make students, teachers, and parents aware of the potential harm
associated with substance abuse, especially the dangers of encountering fentanyl (McMiller &
Barnes, 2023).
College students are also taking a stand against drug and alcohol abuse at the University
of North Carolina University at Greensboro, NC, with the implementation of the Spartan
Recovery Program (SRP) (Powell, 2023). The traditional alcoholics anonymous (AA) meetings
and narcotics anonymous (NA) meetings were not attracting enough participation from the
younger students. The university responded with the creation of the SRP, which is not a
treatment program, but one that offers a variety of support services that will help promote the
ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENCE
assorted goals and wellbeing of students in recovery. Located in the Grove Student Health
Center, the SRP holds regular meetings, social activities, and celebrations of recovery. Overall,
the SRP has created a safe space within the campus environment for students to face their
addictions and take steps towards positively changing their lives (Powell, 2023).
In conclusion, substance abuse and addiction is highest during the adolescent developmental
stage. It can cause a host of physical and mental health problems, as well as make individuals
prone to indulge in risky behaviors. However, faith-based activities, religious beliefs, and
spiritual integration into one’s lifestyle provides a resiliency factor for adolescents, making them
less likely to engage in substance use. Education interventions can also have preventative effects
if implemented early; such interventions are occurring now in Guilford County, North Carolina.
However, if one does engage in substance use and develops abusive behaviors and addictions, all
hope is not lost. Once substance abuse and addiction have occurred, specialized counselors can
offer their services to assist individuals in overcoming their substance addictions and
maladaptive lifestyle.
ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENCE
References
Edlund, M. J., Harris, K. M., Koenig, H. G., Han, X., Sullivan, G., Mattox, R., & Tang, L.
(2010). Religiosity and decreased risk of substance use disorders: is the effect mediated
by social support or mental health status?.DSocial psychiatry and psychiatric
epidemiology,D45, 827-836.
Grim, B. J., & Grim, M. E. (2019). Belief, behavior, and belonging: How faith is indispensable
in preventing and recovering from substance abuse.DJournal of religion and health,D58(5),
1713-1750.
McMIller, I. & Barnes, B. (2023). Northern Guilford High School staff working to keep drugs
away from students. WFMY News 2. Retrieved from
https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/education/keeping-drugs-away-from-students-
in-guilford-county-schools/83-eff9d4f4-5fe4-4c57-b029-1057ef09c851
Powell, A. (2023). Spartan Recovery Program Ready to Grow. University of North Carolina at
Greensboro News. Retrieved from https://www.uncg.edu/news/spartan-recovery-
program-ready-to-grow/
Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Hernandez, L. W. (2021).DCounseling individuals through the
lifespan. SAGE publications.
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