Addiction And Adolescence: A Case Study
Liberty University Online
COUN 502/ Essay 3
Introduction: Throughout this essay, I will explain the relationship between abuse and addiction in adolescence. How it affects the developing brain and how a healthy spiritual development can counter act the effects on adolescence. I will also report substance abuse statistics that are currently reported for the State of Nevada. Let’s first identify how the brain develops. As we have read over the past weeks that brain primarily develops in utero. Once born the infants continues to develop by experiences. The experiences create additional neural activity and continue throughout development. We also learned about neural pruning and the “use it or lose it” concept (Feldman, 2014). In adolescence the brain continues to develop significantly in the pre-frontal cortex which is responsible for problem solving, impulse management and identifying …show more content…
priorities, to name a few. Furthermore, the outer portion of the pre-frontal cortex is responsible for synthesizing information, interpreting societal rules, and social interaction (SAMA, 2010). The adolescent body which appears to be adult continues to operate off an adolescent brain and there is significant dissonance that can occur (Liberty University Adolescent Video, 2014). Now this is what occurs during normal development. However, when a substance is introduced it can change the development of the vulnerable brain. The substances which are generally targeted in abuse; once used can interfere with the bodies chemicals which are significant in the normal development (neurotransmitters) (SAMA, 2010). Furthermore, this introduction of substances can create permanent damage to the hardwiring now requiring the ongoing use of substances creating a “biochemical change” (Chalk Talk Revised, 1976). With the particular use of stimulants that address both the “reward and motivation” portions of the prefrontal cortex and outer areas, increases addiction potential according to SAMA. The stimulants work on the dopamine neurotransmitter which when used floods the synaptic cleft and the rush of euphoria is reported to be intense. With the use of cocaine, the dopamine is quickly reabsorbed and therefore the euphoria is short lived causing the user to very quickly want to use again. With the use of methamphetamine the absorption is blocked in the synaptic cleft leaving a longer feeling of euphoria. However, with the flooding of dopamine it can become depleted over years and the user is subject to ongoing depression (Persistent Depressive Disorder – DSM 5). As a clinician when we perform urinalysis to assist in providing the structure of recovery; we are testing for the presence of the metabolites caused by the substance not necessarily the substance itself. The use of depressants also, collectively, takes its toll and the numbers are increasing. According to the Global Post, “one out of four” adolescents will go on to develop a substance use disorder (Agadoni, 2014). How can spiritual development counter these behaviors? According to The Melissa Institute study it suggests that the individuals can “engage in spiritually based activities, calling upon forgiveness, having trust, performing spiritual acts” to name a few to address substance use and trauma. We know that the founding fathers of Alcohol Anonymous were based on the findings of the Oxford Group which was a group established by Dr. Buchman and was based on the principles of the Bible. “They focus around the need for man to find God and change his life to harmonize with God’s will. Frank Buchman simplified this life-changing program by using the expression: Sin is the problem. Jesus Christ is the solution. The result is a miracle” (Dick B). Alcoholic Anonymous was founded in 1935 and data is indicating a large number of successes for those that follow the program. My local area is very limited in its reporting of data due to only reasons I can speculate and it does not appear to address adolescents.
However, according to the Carson City Health Assessment of 2012, binge drinking was 16.1 % in 2009 compared to the overall rate of 17.5% for the remainder of the state, which includes Las Vegas. Furthermore it indicated that the overall death rate (drug caused) in the state of Nevada to be “16.5 out of 100,000” with Carson City being 16.4% which is extremely problematic. To put it perspective the population of Las Vegas is 595,424 in 2012 and Carson City is 54,838 in 2012. Additionally, where you can obtain free alcohol ( as an adult) in casinos makes this particular troublesome. Conclusion: In this essay I explained the relationship between abuse and addiction in adolescence. I addressed how it affects the developing brain and how a healthy spiritual development can counter act the effects on adolescence. I also reported the staggering statistics that are currently reported for the State of
Nevada.
References
Agadoni, L (2014). The Effects of Substance Abuse on Adolescent Development. Retrieved at: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/effects-substance-abuse-adolescent-development- 4703.html. [Last Accessed 02/12/2014]. B. , Dick (2003). The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous. Retrieved at: http://silkworth.net/aahistory/oxford_group_connection1.html. [Last Accessed 02/11/2014].
Elvevag, B., Geidd, J., Weinberger, D. (2010). The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on the Adolescent Brain. Retrieved at: http://samafoundation.org/youth-substance- addiction/effects-of-drugs-on-adolescent-brain/. [Last Accessed 02/11/2014].
Feldman, Robert, (2014). Development across the Life Span. 7th ed. Amherst, Massachusetts: Pearson.
Hansen, Alicia (2012). Carson City Health Assessment. Retrieved at: http://gethealthycarsoncity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cchhs_community-health- assmt-final_june-22-2012_full-1.pdf. [Last Accessed 02/11/2014].
Knight. Dr. (2014). Adolescents. Retrieved at: https://www.liberty.edu. [Last Accessed 02/10/2014].
Martin, Joseph (1976) Chalk Talk Revised [Last Accessed 02/11/2014]
Meichenbaum, D. Trauma, Spirituality and Recovery: toward spirituality- integrated psychology. Retrieved at http://www.melissainstitute.org/documents/spirituality_psychotherapy.pdf. [Last Accessed 02/09/2014].
COUN 502/ Essay 3
Introduction: Throughout this essay, I will explain the relationship between abuse and addiction in adolescence. How it affects the developing brain and how a healthy spiritual development can counter act the effects on adolescence. I will also report substance abuse statistics that are currently reported for the State of Nevada. Let’s first identify how the brain develops. As we have read over the past weeks that brain primarily develops in utero. Once born the infants continues to develop by experiences. The experiences create additional neural activity and continue throughout development. We also learned about neural pruning and the “use it or lose it” concept (Feldman, 2014). In adolescence the brain continues to develop significantly in the pre-frontal cortex which is responsible for problem solving, impulse management and identifying …show more content…
priorities, to name a few. Furthermore, the outer portion of the pre-frontal cortex is responsible for synthesizing information, interpreting societal rules, and social interaction (SAMA, 2010). The adolescent body which appears to be adult continues to operate off an adolescent brain and there is significant dissonance that can occur (Liberty University Adolescent Video, 2014). Now this is what occurs during normal development. However, when a substance is introduced it can change the development of the vulnerable brain. The substances which are generally targeted in abuse; once used can interfere with the bodies chemicals which are significant in the normal development (neurotransmitters) (SAMA, 2010). Furthermore, this introduction of substances can create permanent damage to the hardwiring now requiring the ongoing use of substances creating a “biochemical change” (Chalk Talk Revised, 1976). With the particular use of stimulants that address both the “reward and motivation” portions of the prefrontal cortex and outer areas, increases addiction potential according to SAMA. The stimulants work on the dopamine neurotransmitter which when used floods the synaptic cleft and the rush of euphoria is reported to be intense. With the use of cocaine, the dopamine is quickly reabsorbed and therefore the euphoria is short lived causing the user to very quickly want to use again. With the use of methamphetamine the absorption is blocked in the synaptic cleft leaving a longer feeling of euphoria. However, with the flooding of dopamine it can become depleted over years and the user is subject to ongoing depression (Persistent Depressive Disorder – DSM 5). As a clinician when we perform urinalysis to assist in providing the structure of recovery; we are testing for the presence of the metabolites caused by the substance not necessarily the substance itself. The use of depressants also, collectively, takes its toll and the numbers are increasing. According to the Global Post, “one out of four” adolescents will go on to develop a substance use disorder (Agadoni, 2014). How can spiritual development counter these behaviors? According to The Melissa Institute study it suggests that the individuals can “engage in spiritually based activities, calling upon forgiveness, having trust, performing spiritual acts” to name a few to address substance use and trauma. We know that the founding fathers of Alcohol Anonymous were based on the findings of the Oxford Group which was a group established by Dr. Buchman and was based on the principles of the Bible. “They focus around the need for man to find God and change his life to harmonize with God’s will. Frank Buchman simplified this life-changing program by using the expression: Sin is the problem. Jesus Christ is the solution. The result is a miracle” (Dick B). Alcoholic Anonymous was founded in 1935 and data is indicating a large number of successes for those that follow the program. My local area is very limited in its reporting of data due to only reasons I can speculate and it does not appear to address adolescents.
However, according to the Carson City Health Assessment of 2012, binge drinking was 16.1 % in 2009 compared to the overall rate of 17.5% for the remainder of the state, which includes Las Vegas. Furthermore it indicated that the overall death rate (drug caused) in the state of Nevada to be “16.5 out of 100,000” with Carson City being 16.4% which is extremely problematic. To put it perspective the population of Las Vegas is 595,424 in 2012 and Carson City is 54,838 in 2012. Additionally, where you can obtain free alcohol ( as an adult) in casinos makes this particular troublesome. Conclusion: In this essay I explained the relationship between abuse and addiction in adolescence. I addressed how it affects the developing brain and how a healthy spiritual development can counter act the effects on adolescence. I also reported the staggering statistics that are currently reported for the State of
Nevada.
References
Agadoni, L (2014). The Effects of Substance Abuse on Adolescent Development. Retrieved at: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/effects-substance-abuse-adolescent-development- 4703.html. [Last Accessed 02/12/2014]. B. , Dick (2003). The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous. Retrieved at: http://silkworth.net/aahistory/oxford_group_connection1.html. [Last Accessed 02/11/2014].
Elvevag, B., Geidd, J., Weinberger, D. (2010). The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on the Adolescent Brain. Retrieved at: http://samafoundation.org/youth-substance- addiction/effects-of-drugs-on-adolescent-brain/. [Last Accessed 02/11/2014].
Feldman, Robert, (2014). Development across the Life Span. 7th ed. Amherst, Massachusetts: Pearson.
Hansen, Alicia (2012). Carson City Health Assessment. Retrieved at: http://gethealthycarsoncity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cchhs_community-health- assmt-final_june-22-2012_full-1.pdf. [Last Accessed 02/11/2014].
Knight. Dr. (2014). Adolescents. Retrieved at: https://www.liberty.edu. [Last Accessed 02/10/2014].
Martin, Joseph (1976) Chalk Talk Revised [Last Accessed 02/11/2014]
Meichenbaum, D. Trauma, Spirituality and Recovery: toward spirituality- integrated psychology. Retrieved at http://www.melissainstitute.org/documents/spirituality_psychotherapy.pdf. [Last Accessed 02/09/2014].