Addiction in Adolescence

            The adolescent brain has not developed fully, although the adolescent may think it has.  Hormones are being produced and often times the adolescent’s body may look like an adult, but their brain is not operating like an adult’s brain (Brooks, 2014).  Because the adolescent is not able to reason like an adult they are more likely to be impulsive.  Throughout these physical and mental changes, they are on a roller coaster of emotions (Brooks, 2014).  While these changes are normal, they can be moderated in a gentle and loving environment.  When there is divorce, trauma, or substance abuse, brain development can be affected (Brooks, 2014).

            During adolescence, there is an increased production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced in the brain that is responsible for sending the pleasure signal to increase positive emotions (Luciana & Collins, 2012).  Between the ages of 12-16, adolescents are expanding their peer groups, learning new behaviors and seeking new sources of pleasure.  As new forms of pleasure are found, more dopamine is produced, which creates an environment for an increase in incentive motivation.  The adolescent is then on a journey to find more and more pleasure, which can often be found through substance abuse.  When they find a substance or activity, including sexual behaviors, that produces pleasure, it becomes a “short-cut” to achieving the pleasure they are seeking (Luciana & Collins, 2012).   Later in adolescence and into adulthood, dopamine production is naturally reduced as the brain matures.  Substance abuse in adolescence prematurely reduces the production of dopamine which increases impulsive motivation to satisfy the drive for pleasure (Luciana & Collins, 2012).

            Adolescents who become involved in spiritual or religious peer groups are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (Yonker, Schnabelrauch, & DeHaan, 2012).  Generally, the rules associated with acceptable behavior are different among church going adolescents than they are among those who do not attend church.  When adolescents surround themselves with positive peer groups, even when parenting styles are unhealthy, they are more likely to avoid behaviors leading to substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and delinquency due to their social influences (Yonker, et al., 2012).  Avoiding the influence of substance abuse and other behaviors that may impact dopamine production, allows the brain to produce dopamine naturally, and the brain matures naturally.  Self-esteem and increased resilience are also related to healthy spiritual relationships among adolescents.  Spending more time in spiritually supportive social groups offers support for coping with difficult circumstances and promotes self-care through prayer, meditation, and mindfulness.  This promotes a healthy development in adolescence (Yonker, et al., 2012).

            The Florida Substance Abuse Survey ranked Lake County, Florida 46^th place out of Florida’s 67 counties in a 2014 survey of adolescent substance abuse (Rippel, 2015).  The survey examined students from grades six through 12 and it found that tobacco, drug, and alcohol use among this group is declining from a previous survey in 2012.  The 2012 survey reported 48 percent of the students polled drank alcohol, with 26 percent of them drinking within 30 days prior to the survey.  The 2014 survey reported a decrease in alcohol use and 23 percent of students admitted using marijuana at some point in their lives, with 13 percent with the 30 days before the survey, also down from the 2012 survey (Rippel, 2015).  Debi McIntyre, the executive director of Be Free Lake, a coalition that works with state and local agencies to reduce adolescent substance abuse, reports that her organization is partnering with local treatment centers to increase intervention efforts to continue the downward trend.  They are also promoting family involvement to create stronger family relationships and greater community involvement in their efforts (Rippel, 2015).

            Adolescents are maturing into adulthood while their brain and bodies develop.  Because of the developing brain, hormones are produced and adolescents experience a roller coaster ride of emotions.  Substance abuse provides a way to regulate these emotions but will effect dopamine production, and affect impulsive motivation to seek pleasure.  Adolescents involved in positive peer groups, surrounded by spiritual and religious influences, are finding a greater ability to cope and positive support systems.  Adolescent substance abuse, including tobacco and alcohol, is on the decline in Lake County, Florida.  Community involvement and strong family relationships can help to promote this decline.

References

Brooks, J. (2014). Adolescence [Video file].

Luciana, M., & Collins, P. F. (2012). Incentive motivation, cognitive control, and the adolescent brain: Is it time for a paradigm shift? Child Development Perspectives,6(4), 392-399.

Rippel, A. C. (2015, April 17). Drug, alcohol, tobacco use dropping among students, survey says. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved from http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-lk-underage-drinking-lake-rank-20150317-story.html

Yonker, J. E., Schnabelrauch, C. A., & DeHaan, L. G. (2012). The relationship between spirituality and religiosity on psychological outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Adolescence, 35, 299-314.