The Effects Of Teenage Addiction

The human brain undergoes its most crucial stage of development during adolescence which places it in a very vulnerable position. There are two types of tissues that the brain is composed of: grey matter and white matter. Grey matter serves as the foundation of the brain, for it is comprised of neurons which are responsible for processing information. White matter, on the other hand, refers to the wiring between brain cells which is in charge of circulating this information across the brain. Through further examination of these tissues, neurologists have discovered that the composition of a teenager’s brain is vastly different in comparison to their adult counterpart. Studies show that while the development of grey matter is complete by the

Addiction is described as a condition in which the brain becomes dependent on a particular substance or behavior. For instance, an example of an addictive substance that is commonly abused by youth is alcohol and drugs. There is a greater chance of someone developing an addiction if they start using this substance when they are young. Teenage addiction is a widespread problem that is caused by a myriad of factors. For instance, the setup of their brain’s reward system causes youths to focus more on the potential rewards, instead of the possible ramifications as a result of their limited of access to their prefrontal cortex. In the case of alcohol or drugs, this reward is the trigger of dopamine that is released in the brain upon its ingestion. If not consumed in moderation, the brain can become reliant on this temporary dopamine surge and is compelled to continue drinking in order to maintain this rush. This can be seen in teenagers who use substances as a defence mechanism to ward off feelings of loneliness or depression. These are common feelings for people at this age because when they are struggling to find their identity and to fit in with the rest of society. For these teens, alcohol or drugs can be used as a defence mechanism to ward off feelings of loneliness or depression. The flooding of dopamine through their system is used to

At this point in time, teenagers are going through their rebellious stage where they wish to assert and explore their independence. While doing so, some begin to reject conforming to societal norms in an attempt to continue cultivating their individuality. During this search for independence, teens are predisposed to making many poor decisions due to the underdevelopment of white matter in their brains. Teen shoplifting is a popular example of formal social deviance, a violation of a formally-enacted law. In this case, the thrill of stealing and breaking the law outweighs the possibilities of getting reprimanded if caught. Since the adolescent brain is very sensitive, one’s environment also plays a large role in one’s decision to engage in criminal activity. Teenagers who grow up in poverty are more likely to become social deviants than those who grow up in families with higher income brackets. This can be explained through strain theory, the idea that people turn to deviance when they are unable to attain culturally approved goals through institutional means. People who are put at a disadvantage in terms of money and education are pressured into becoming criminals in order to become successful in society. Environment does not just encompass location; it also refers to the type of people an individual is surrounded with. Deviance is a learned behavior in many