Running head: ABUSE AND ADDITION 1 ABUSE AND ADDICTION 2 Abuse and Addiction in Adolescence Selena McJimson Liberty University Abuse and Addiction in Adolescence Adolescence years, the years between 12 and 20, can be viewed by many as time of difficulty and instability. During this period, adolescents deal with emotional turbulence caused by identity issues and wanting to be accepted by society. The beginning of adolescence is marked by puberty, a flood of biological events leading to an adult-sized body and sexual maturity (Berk, 2010). During puberty, sex organs develop fully and sex characteristics emerge. Whether one believes this to be true, adolescence is describe by significant physical, psychological, intellectual, and social changes. Drugs and Adolescences The abuse of substance is an increasing area of concern in adolescents. According to Feldman (2014), one in 15 high school seniors smoke marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis. Adolescents are more likely to experiment with cigarettes or illicit drugs without experiencing adverse side effects. Because of this, teenagers are more likely to continue to use. The abuse of such substances has physical consequences for the emerging adolescents, and may produce techniques that imitate other psychopathological behaviors. Recurrent and extended consumption not only intensify their risk of developing a substance use disorder, but hinder the development of essential psychosocial skills. Typically, all illicit drugs arouse the brain’s reward circuitry which supplies the pleasure feeling. This is extremely dangerous during the adolescence years because it causes adolescents to display risky behavior. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that allows people to think, evaluate and make complex judgements in a uniquely human way (Feldman, 2014). Effects of Substance Abuse Studies have shown that substance abuse is also related to a wide variety of psychological disorders. Substance use disorders (SUDs) during adolescence include substance dependence and substance abuse, which result from the self-administration of any substance that alters mood, perception, or brain functioning (Mash et.al, 2010). Substance dependency does not just cause psychological dependence but also may cause physical dependence. For example, if a person uses drugs every time they are faced a stressful situation, it would cause they to depend on that drug to help them cope with the problem. If drugs are used as an escape, they may prevent adolescents from confronting—and potentially solving—the problems that led to them to drug use in the first place (Feldman, p. 372). People who develop psychological dependence believe that in order to function effectively, they must have the substance in their system. Physical dependence occurs when the body acclimates ...

1. Running head: ABUSE AND ADDITION 1
ABUSE AND ADDICTION
2
Abuse and Addiction in Adolescence
Selena McJimson
Liberty University

2. Abuse and Addiction in Adolescence
Adolescence years, the years between 12 and 20, can be viewed
by many as time of difficulty and instability. During this
period, adolescents deal with emotional turbulence caused by
identity issues and wanting to be accepted by society. The
beginning of adolescence is marked by puberty, a flood of
biological events leading to an adult-sized body and sexual
maturity (Berk, 2010). During puberty, sex organs develop fully
and sex characteristics emerge. Whether one believes this to be
true, adolescence is describe by significant physical,
psychological, intellectual, and social changes.
Drugs and Adolescences
The abuse of substance is an increasing area of concern in
adolescents. According to Feldman (2014), one in 15 high
school seniors smoke marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis.
Adolescents are more likely to experiment with cigarettes or
illicit drugs without experiencing adverse side effects. Because
of this, teenagers are more likely to continue to use. The abuse
of such substances has physical consequences for the emerging
adolescents, and may produce techniques that imitate other
psychopathological behaviors. Recurrent and extended
consumption not only intensify their risk of developing a
substance use disorder, but hinder the development of essential

3. psychosocial skills.
Typically, all illicit drugs arouse the brain’s reward circuitry
which supplies the pleasure feeling. This is extremely
dangerous during the adolescence years because it causes
adolescents to display risky behavior. The prefrontal cortex is
the part of the brain that allows people to think, evaluate and
make complex judgements in a uniquely human way (Feldman,
2014).
Effects of Substance Abuse
Studies have shown that substance abuse is also related to a
wide variety of psychological disorders. Substance use
disorders (SUDs) during adolescence include substance
dependence and substance abuse, which result from the self-
administration of any substance that alters mood, perception, or
brain functioning (Mash et.al, 2010). Substance dependency
does not just cause psychological dependence but also may
cause physical dependence. For example, if a person uses drugs
every time they are faced a stressful situation, it would cause
they to depend on that drug to help them cope with the problem.
If drugs are used as an escape, they may prevent adolescents
from confronting—and potentially solving—the problems that
led to them to drug use in the first place (Feldman, p. 372).
People who develop psychological dependence believe that in
order to function effectively, they must have the substance in
their system. Physical dependence occurs when the body
acclimates to the substance’s continuous presence. Another
aspect of physical dependence is the experience of withdrawal,
an adverse physiological symptom that occurs when
consumption of an abused substance is ended abruptly, and it is
thus removed from the body (Mash et. al, p. 390).
Spiritual Development in Adolescence
There has been a rise in spirituality in adolescence in my
community. The victims of senseless crimes are getting younger
and younger and adolescents are finding refuge in spirituality.

4. Crimes committed against innocent child are unexplainable so
adolescents tend to their higher being for comfort. Spiritual and
religious commitments are important factors in young people’s
contributing to—and sometimes leading—social change, at the
level of humanitarian concern as well as systemic political and
social change (Roehlkepartian, et. al 2006). For example,
friends of 17-year-old Alexis Murphy from Charlottesville, VA
held candlelight visual in remembrance of her. Alexis Murphy
was abducted and murdered by Randy Allen Taylor on August 3,
2013. Healthy spiritual development is important in situations
like the one mention because when face with adversity, one
could the will to live.
In conclusion, during adolescence, a person’s identity and moral
values develop even as the progress to adulthood is occurring.
Adolescents make decisions that affect their entire lives, even
though they are immature psychologically and socially. Despite
these high stakes, most people succeed going through
adolescences without any major psychological problems.

5. References
Berk, Laura E. (2010) Exploring Lifespan Development (2nd
ed) Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Feldman, Robert S. (2010) Development Across the Life Span
(7th ed.) Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Mash, Eric J., Wolfe, David A. (2010) Abnormal Child
Psuchology (4th ed) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage
Learning
Roehlkepartain, Eugene C., King, Pamela E., Wagener, Linda,
Benson, Peter L. (2006) The Handbook of Spiritual
Development in Childhood and Adolescence Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publication, Inc.
Running head: ADDICTION AND ABUSE IN ADOLESCENCE
1 1
ADDICTION AND ABUSE IN ADOLESCENCE 5

6. Addiction and Abuse in Adolescence
Carla Citarelli
Liberty University
Introduction
Adolescence is a time of great learning, exponential
growth and experiences which will likely shape a person’s life
into adulthood. It is also a time of experimentation which can
lead to addiction. For those teens that endure abuse, the
outcome may be comparatively detrimental. Fortunately,
spiritual development may play a positive role in the outcome
of otherwise dire situations.
Addiction and Abuse in Adolescence
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body.
Because it is mostly studied post mordem, there are
complexities that present themselves that cannot be explained at
this time. However, in recent decades, much has been learned
about the brain that does help to enlighten some developments
and behaviors. One way we can explore this is through the study
of neuroscience. Neuroscience allows a closer look at the
workings of the brain and has already begun to shed light on
how the brain develops. It has been found that the prefrontal
cortex does not fully develop until after adolescence. According

7. to Feldman,
one specific area of the brain that undergoes considerable
development throughout adolescence is the the prefontal cortex.
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that allows people
to think, evaluate, and make complex judgments in a uniquely
human way. (2014, p. 358).
Due to this changing and developing part of the brain, it is
conceded that adolescents may have trouble controlling their
impulses and make irrational decisions. Often, those irrational
decisions have negative consequences. Frequently, because of
their impressionable minds, teenagers fall victim to temptation
that leads into drug and alcohol addictions. Addiction is the
dependence on a substance. Those substances include alcohol,
illicit drugs, prescription drugs or even nicotine. Teens often
make the rash decision to try things without a thought of the
consequences. Without considering addiction, they will try
aforementioned substances, thinking that it will only be once or
that they can quit whenever they decide to do so. Once an
adolescent is addicted to a substance, it can begin to affect the
brain in possibly the most critical period of development.
Therefore, it could very likely affect how the brain develops.
Like addiction, abuse can also affect the developing
adolescent brain. Researchers at Yale University found that
“Among girls, abuse was more likely to affect areas of the brain
involved in emotional regulation, while in boys with similar
experiences it was more likely to affect areas of the brain
believed to be involved in impulse control.” (Anonymous, p.
41). The consequences experienced from addictions and abuse
can be life altering for adolescents in a very negative way. It is
also evident that abuse may lead to addiction. For teens who
experience one or both. spirituality may be the solution.
According to Roehlkepartain, King, Wagener and Benson,
spirituality may play an important role in encouraging the
positive development teens need during a critical point of
development within their lives. (Roehlkepartain, King, Wagener
& Benson, (2006, p. 61). Adolescents are extremely

8. impressionable due to the underdevelopment of the prefrontal
cortex that they need a significant model in their lives. That
role model and guidance can be found through God and
experienced through their spirituality. God gives people an
opportunity to depend on Him instead of other things found in
this world. He tells us “I am the vine; you are the branches. If
you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;apart
from me you can do nothing.” (John 5:15, NIV). This offer is
available to all, no matter the circumstances or past one has
been dealt. In my own area, there is very little report of alcohol
and drug use. The few reports heard often involve the youth’s
parents as well. In those cases, the paths of addiction and abuse
are merged together. In those cases, spiritual intervention would
likely lead to a positive outcome.
Conclusion
Abuse and addiction during adolescence is a problem faced by
many and warrants further study about the implications of such
on the developing brain. Futhermore, with the help of
neuroscience, adolescents might find a great benefit in
discovering how spiritual growth can lead to a healthier
lifestyle in which the brain is allowed to fully develop and
reverse the effects of abuse and addiction.
References
Extensive effects of abuse. (2012, 04). Leadership for Student
Activities, 40, 41. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/963552439?accountid=
12085.
Feldman, Gerald. (2014). Physical and cognitive development in
adolescence. Development Across the Life Span. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Person Education, Inc.