Research Paper
A RESEARCH PAPER ON
THE ABUSE OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND ALOCHOL
MEGAN RYAN
DELCASTLE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
HONORS ENGLISH 11
MASLANKA
DECEMBER 19, 2012
“Substance use is among the key public health threats that find its genesis during adolescence” (Studies from New York University Further Understanding of Public Health, 2012).
There are many different causes that can lead to the addiction of drug and alcohol abuse, and one cause can be early use, or using in teenage years. “Addiction is a developmental disease – it typically begins in childhood or adolescence” (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2012). The earlier that someone begins to abuse a drug, the more likely they are to develop addiction. According to a national drug survey, children are already abusing drugs by the age of twelve or thirteen (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2012). The earlier that someone starts abusing drugs the more likely they are to develop an addiction to that drug. “Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier a person begins to use drugs the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse” (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2012). Early abuse of drugs and/or alcohol is a strong indicator of problems in the future and among them can be substance abuse and addiction. The human brain is still developing at the age of an adolescent, so starting to take drugs at an early age can affect the brain in many ways. “Introducing drugs while the brain is still developing may have profound and long – lasting results” (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The science of Addiction, 2012). One area of the brain that is still maturing during adolescence is the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that allows humans to make decisions and keep our emotion and desires under control. Since this part of the brain is still
THE ABUSE OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND ALOCHOL
MEGAN RYAN
DELCASTLE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
HONORS ENGLISH 11
MASLANKA
DECEMBER 19, 2012
“Substance use is among the key public health threats that find its genesis during adolescence” (Studies from New York University Further Understanding of Public Health, 2012).
There are many different causes that can lead to the addiction of drug and alcohol abuse, and one cause can be early use, or using in teenage years. “Addiction is a developmental disease – it typically begins in childhood or adolescence” (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2012). The earlier that someone begins to abuse a drug, the more likely they are to develop addiction. According to a national drug survey, children are already abusing drugs by the age of twelve or thirteen (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2012). The earlier that someone starts abusing drugs the more likely they are to develop an addiction to that drug. “Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier a person begins to use drugs the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse” (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, 2012). Early abuse of drugs and/or alcohol is a strong indicator of problems in the future and among them can be substance abuse and addiction. The human brain is still developing at the age of an adolescent, so starting to take drugs at an early age can affect the brain in many ways. “Introducing drugs while the brain is still developing may have profound and long – lasting results” (Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The science of Addiction, 2012). One area of the brain that is still maturing during adolescence is the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that allows humans to make decisions and keep our emotion and desires under control. Since this part of the brain is still