The Psychology Of Addictive Behaviors

Adolescence is a time where adolescents grow and mature at a rapid rate. It is also a time where adolescents are more vulnerable to taking risks, such as using and becoming addicted to illegal substances, due to raging hormones. Whether or not an adolescent chooses to engage in drug use and abuse depends on their home environment and those they choose to associate themselves with. Adolescents are confronted with an enormous amount of pressure to participate in risky behaviors by their peers. According to Broderick and Blewitt (2015), “risky behaviors are behaviors that constitute a departure from socially accepted norms or behaviors that pose a threat to the well-being of individuals or groups” (p. 389). One such risky behavior is drug use and addiction. Some adolescents use cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs in order to get “high”. Adolescents who engage in drug use are likely to become addicted, and thus, their addiction will negatively affect their brain development.

Stress and weight control among teens are some other reasons why they use drugs, smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol (Teen Detox, 1). “Younger Children, at eight-grade level and below, are at a greater risk, because their personalities haven’t developed well enough, and the aren’t mature enough to know how to handle altered states of consciousness. As with any drug, the younger the age of first use, the higher the risk” (Dr. Larry Chait, Teen Addiction, 64).

According to current statistics released by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, “In the United States in 2011, there were an estimated 25.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17. In the past year, more than one quarter of adolescents drank alcohol, approximately one fifth used an illicit drug, and almost one eighth smoked cigarettes” ("A Day in the Life of American Adolescents," 2013, para. 1). Substance abuse is major problem amongst adolescents. Some are experimenting, but some adolescents may become dependent on a particular substance. If one becomes dependent on a substance as an adolescent it could be detrimental to their future health and success as an adult. Spear (2003) stated in an article titled Alcohol’s

A teenager’s brain and body is still developing, which makes them more acceptable to the harmful effects of drug use. The early use of abuse

The most common reason for this lies within the brain, the prefrontal cortex helps to determine the adaptive value of pleasure recorded by the nucleus accumbens, and weighs the risks and benefits of doing certain things (The addicted brain, 2009). The prefrontal cortex is like that voice in the back of your head that tells you not to do something if it is unwise; it is the judgment area of the brain. If the prefrontal cortex is not functioning properly, an addictive drug has more power to monopolize the reward circuit. Recent research shows that the prefrontal cortex is not fully developed in adolescence, which could explain why we often develop addictions at that time of life. The addictive brain (2009) states, that “A person who does not become a smoker before age 21 will probably never be addicted to nicotine.” This research supports why children partake in risky behavior in their adolescences. Adolescences’ prefrontal cortex are not fully formed, therefore, they are unable to evaluate the risks and benefits of things they may do. The only thing they focus on, are the pleasurable rewards felt after completing the risky

This learner believes that behavior and addiction should be accepted as the same as addiction to substances. Working in a substance abuse recovery program has allowed this learner to understand addiction as a behavior. Many individuals have a substance abuse addiction and issues because of their behavior. They have made a choice to use substances and their behavior has taken over their life. Overall, this learner believes that all addictions are just as important as a substance abuse addiction. In fact, it should not be considered the same type of illness despite of it being a food, sex, or even gambling addiction. However, the addictions have to be treated differently based on the type and the individuals. According Smith (2012), “Developing brain science brain science has set the

The Final Common Pathway of Addiction Model (FCP of Addiction Model) is essentially an eclectic group of models and theories that include the biopsychosocial model, which consists of the biological, psychological, and social models of addiction. The FCP of Addiction Model encompasses this model, but also includes the environmental and spiritual components of addiction. In this instance, what the theory is referencing, as “Final and Common” is that addiction reaches an in common, ultimate end of journey. The “Pathway” refers to the various paths traveled to reach the same end to this journey. Individuals experience various triggers from multiple influences that propel them down the path of addiction. Some may follow the same path, but with

Adolescent substance abuse is a major problem in society. There are many risk factors that can contribute to adolescent substance abuse. One of the main risk factors is peer pressure. When adolescents start at a young age there is an increase in health problems, addiction, and over all poor social outcomes. Parental influence has substantial effect on adolescents because the adolescent sees their parents and they learn by their example. Media plays a role in the use of drug and alcohol use among young people. Many school systems have implemented programs that teach adolescents about the problems of substance abuse that is funded

|Gottdiener et al (2008) carried out a meta-analysis of ten studies and found |This model cannot explain why individuals without any major psychological |

First off, alcohol addiction and abuse among teenagers today is a bigger problem than ever before. The root of the problem lies in the fact that the teens are so exposed to the culture of this day and age, leading them to where they have easy access to alcohol. For example, their parents may already be alcoholics, and it's merely a few bad decisions later which could cause the child to have a few drinks and cloud their judgement. This is a big problem because their young bodies have never encountered anything like alcohol before, so in turn, the body does not know how to process it, and therefore leads to their downfall. A publication released by the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAA) suggests that by age 18, an astounding 60% of US teens would have had at least one drink. Moreover, according to the NIAA, youth between the ages of 12 and 20 will often binge drink as well.

The teenage years can be some of the most confusing times in a person’s life. During these years of life, one may begin to experiment with risky choices such as turning to drugs and alcohol for means of fun. What he does not know at that point, is this “harmless fun” can turn into a severe, life-long problem if he is not careful. Youth who are exposed to drugs and alcohol are not only susceptible to the health risks that come with using them, but are also put in a position to become addicted to the substances.

We live in an age of addiction. Whether it is fast paced lifestyles and over work, obsession with sports or video games, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse. A person can end up with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction at any age. Younger people face different social pressures surrounding drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse is often related to negative experiences at some point during life. Researchers have found that abuse at any age can influence an individual 's choice to turn to drugs or alcohol. Middle age and elderly deal with life changes such as divorce, loss or jobs, and loss of loved ones. Addiction is not simply a weakness. People from all backgrounds, rich or poor, can get an addiction.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Keith E. Lyons, Walden University, Minnesota, MN 55401

Addiction can sum up to Freud’s theory of personality, Id. Id is the component of a person ability that includes all of the individuals basic biological drives and needs that demand immediate gratification (Kendall p100). Id remains with people throughout their life in the form of psychic energy, the urges and desires that account for behavior (Kendall p100)

It has been discovered that most people who struggle with drug addiction began experimenting with drugs in their teens. Teenage drug abuse is one of the largest problems in society today and the problem grows and larger every year. Drugs are a pervasive force in our culture today. To expect kids not to be influenced by the culture of their time is as unrealistic as believing in the tooth fairy (Bauman 140). Teens may feel pressured by their friends to try drugs, they may have easy access to drugs, they may use drugs to rebel against their family or society, or they may take an illegal drug because they are curious about it or the pleasure that it gives them.