Transitional Age Youth

There is no doubt that there is a prevalence of substance abuse throughout several age groups. To a certain extent, a society is faced with the reality of controlling substance abuse. Or allow it run rampant throughout the community. Often times, we hear and read about the level of substance abuse among teen, young adults and mid-aged

Through out our lives we are confronted by changes. People, places and even our own bodies change. We are faced by ongoing periods of transition as things alter from how they were to how they are now. Transitions can positively or negatively impact on children and young people’s development depending on how they are supported and the change is managed.

3.3 Describe with examples how transitions may affect children and young people’s behaviour and development

In youth homelessness these children, adolescents and even young adults are being exposed to many dangerous drugs, alcohol, and people.

Giffords, E., Alonso, C., & Bell, R. (2007). A Transitional Living Program for Homeless Adolescents: A Case Study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 36(4), 141-151. doi:10.1007/s10566-007-9036-0

Persistent substance abuse among youth is often accompanied by an array of problems, including academic difficulties, health-related consequences, poor peer relationships, mental health issues, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. There are also significant consequences for family members, the community, and society in

Long term, it is much easier and cheaper to perform preventive health care than to try to manage acute and/ or chronic diseases. All at risk individuals should be given education on the dangers of developing a substance abuse problem, emphasizing that it can happen to anyone- young or old, rich or poor, etc. Health care providers need to address the supposed invincibility commonly associated with those who excessive drink alcohol or use drugs. These individuals are not quite as invincible nor do most have everything as under control as they may think. Although many may know the dangers, it is important to explain that the negative health impacts may not be noticeable right away, but the damage is still being done. Additionally, these at risk patients should work with social workers or case management to set up referrals to substance abuse cessation programs within the

There are many issues that cause life stress to children and their families e.g. bereavement, separation /divorce, long-term illnesses. This report will employ a holistic approach, incorporating life span development, and will focus on transition within early year’s education. It will assist practitioners in supporting children and their families and will focus on the effect it has on their lives.

Homeless youth who use substances is a growing public health epidemic. This paper looks at the socio-ecological aspects of substance-using homeless youth, and contributing factors that exacerbate this public health problem. The Transtheoretical Model is also discussed as one way researchers have used to develop and implement programs for the substance-using homeless population. Harm reduction, albeit controversial, has proven effective with the adult population. Unfortunately, because of the controversial nature of harm reduction and lack of funding, research of harm reduction applied to the adolescent population

*** was founded with a mission to be an alternative to incarceration. The organization is a private, free-standing, non-profit agency which is accessible to all, regardless of economic, ethnic or religious backgrounds. Since 1971, ***. has provided a highly successful, comprehensive, continuum of behavioral health services. Our formal treatment services have helped over 20,000 young people and their families. Under the *** umbrella, broad arrays of evidence-based prevention services have also been implemented in the treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders. With their focus on identifying risk and protective factors, these programs have helped to educate and support

Interventions on all levels are important in the prevention and the assistance in helping at-risk youth. The Macro level of intervention is imperative on a larger spectrum of creating positive change and the development of larger systems to indirectly help those young adults who are struggling. This level of intervention is key in developing policy change, and helping communities to development initiatives with the expectation of reducing youth suffering homelessness, drug use, physical and sexual abuse, crime and other troubling conditions they may face as they transition to adulthood. Through research and the collection of analysis from both the state and national levels, we can develop an enhanced understanding of this vulnerable population and develop the programs and strategies necessary. Many social workers work closely with community members in this research and the development of interventions to address the large-scale problems faced by today’s at-risk youth.

There are many contributing factors and political issues that address substance abuse. Throughout the years, many researchers have designed many interventions and social policies designed to treat people who have used, abused, and became addicted to substances. Today, there are many new studies that address substance abuse at the individual, group, family, and community or policy levels. Today, there are many services that are effective for decreasing recidivism in youth who have completed a substance abuse program. A substance abuse treatment program or center is the best way to treat individuals who have abused substances.

There are several psychological factors that exist in the adolescent with substance and chemical dependency disorders. The moods of these adolescents are not stable and they are more prone to depression. They have various emotional and behavioral difficulties. Adolescents with these disorders also tend to have learning disabilities and psychiatric disturbances. (Jorgenson and Salwen, 2008) According to the research of Terry Brown, “Psychological dependence for long term users is more likely; some have mental health problems such as confusion, sleep disorder depression and paranoia.”

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

The age that defines adulthood varies from one culture to the next. In the contemporary United States, adulthood is most often marked by turning eighteen and gaining the rights to vote, sign a contract, enlist in the military, serve on a jury, etc. But has any consideration gone into why eighteen is the age of adulthood? Most will answer that it marks when an individual is able to support themselves on their own, yet it marks no significant physical or mental development. Studies have shown that full brain development doesn’t even occur until the mid-twenties. So with this information combined with statistics about the effects of war and combat on young adults, and the new trends in society that make it difficult for people that age to live