Addiction in Adolescence

The concept of addiction in adolescence is a primary phenomenon across developed and underdeveloped nations. Drug addiction is a serious relapse in the brain featured by compulsive seeking and use of a given substance regardless of its harmful consequences. In the last thirty years, several studies have been carried out on the compound systems affecting adolescents and the impacts of their development.
The prevalence of drug abuse among adolescents is experienced in many communities. The relationship between addiction and substance abuse among people in this group is based on curiosity, peer pressure and the transition to adulthood without explicit guidance. The misuse of a given drug is later advanced to addiction, leading to relapse of the brain. The paper within is a discussion on various aspects of addiction in adolescence (Lubman, Yücel & Hall, 2007).
Adolescence in a state of drug abuse and addiction are likely to impact on the brain. Addiction and abuse have a severe alteration of the brain structure and its functioning. In the long run, the shifts are expressed in the harmful behavior of the adolescents. Addiction like any other disease affects the healthy operation of the underlying organ over a lifetime. Though they can be prevented and treated. Maturity process of the brain sectors such as Prefrontal Cortex continues during adolescence. The process of growth of this sector leads many to make wrong decisions, and the introduction of the drug at this point leads to long-term and severe consequences for the management of emotions and control of desires. In the book of 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (Gladwin, Figner, Crone & Wiers, 2011; Lubman, Yücel & Hall, 2007).
Research shows that adolescents well-grounded in spiritual development are not likely to use drugs. The consideration is subject to debate as spiritually developed adolescents have been reported to be victims of addiction. Religion as a socialization institution plays a primary role in leading the society in ways accepted by the supernatural beings. With this in consideration, religious structures educate the adolescents to avoid intake of illicit substances. The Bible speaks in a cruel way about drugs teaching the adolescence of its effects. For instance in Proverbs 20: 1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise”. Additionally, spiritual teaching exposes how cursed are those who abuse drugs. For instance in Isaiah 5: 11 “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!” It is clear that proper adherence to spiritual teachings prevents adolescence from using drugs (Lubman, Yücel, & Hall, 2007).
In the US, several local news coverage have been done on the topic. The report exposed how adolescents and adults in different states in America abuse different substances. The survey in 2013 showed that teens have highly abused cigarettes and alcohol. The US Centre for Disease control revealed electronic cigarettes as highly used as compared to the traditional smoking. The news reported marijuana use to be on the increase among adolescence. The CBS News observes that “6.5 percent of eighth-graders reporting they'd smoked pot in the past month, along with 17 percent of 10th-graders and 21 percent of 12th-graders”. Local news in the US also considers technological advancement as a factor used in spreading addiction information. Indeed, the prevalence of addiction among adolescents in America is on the rise. However, the government is also on the run to find out different mechanisms such as laws, vaccines and rehabilitation centers to fight addiction in adolescence (Gladwin, Figner, Crone, & Wiers, 2011).
In conclusion, addiction in adolescence is a dangerous phenomenon worldwide. Drug abuse has been reported to have a serious effect on the brain as it affects decision making, emotion balance and control of desire. Religion like other institutions has helped to regulate abuse among other adolescence though it is not successive. The American government has then employed different means to handle addictions as it reports increased prevalence in the current times than before.













References
Gladwin, T. E., Figner, B., Crone, E. A., & Wiers, R. W. (2011). Addiction, adolescence, and the integration of control and motivation. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 1(4), 364- 376.
Lubman, D. I., Yücel, M., & Hall, W. D. (2007). Substance use and the adolescent brain: a toxic combination?. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 21(8), 792-794.