ABUSE AND ADDICTION 1 Abuse and Addiction LaTonya Woodruff Liberty University ABUSE AND ADDICTION 2 Abuse and Addiction Addiction and abuse use has increased in the adolescent population throughout recent years. There is an article that states that addiction abuse has risen amongst the adolescent populations because of their ability to access alcohol and drugs. “Peers and family represent proximal influences on development, while neighborhood, community, and larger cultural contexts constitute more distal spheres of influence”, Nargiso, J. E., Friend, K., & Florin, P. (2013). This is primarily due to the availability of alcohol and drugs within the family structure or within their community. The effects of addiction are very rapid in many areas across this country. We hear about news stories on a daily basis where adolescents and young adults have taken different types of drugs and or having lucid thoughts and are performing different types of acts including nudity out in the public. There are also many stories across America where fatal drunk driving amongst the younger population is increasing more and more each day. One story I'm familiar with is from a couple of years back when a 20-year-old who was drunk driving hit a young mother and a newborn infant. They were both killed upon immediate impact from the crash (FOX 26. 2018, April 5). It was a story that shook that community to the core, emotionally affecting many. One way to help identify and assist adolescents within the community with their addiction and abuse issues is to have a method in place that allows an agency or an organization to identify where the problem is arising. Addiction and abuse will vary from state to state, from community and community, and within the different demographics. There is information that is required so that assessments and programs can be initiated. Concept mapping is a method to gather identifiable information, including health and related issues within different populations to help construct a research approach (Montgomery, L., Vaughn, L. M., & Jacquez, F. 2022). ABUSE AND ADDICTION 3 Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have traditional been an effective approach to abuse in adults. They are both now considered effective approaches to addiction abuse in adolescents. Within the Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous treatment 12 step plan, the prevalence of abstinence from substance abuse was at least 29% at 3 months, 30% at 6– 9 months, and 51%, at 1 year,(Sussman, S. 2010). These are positive results that can help inspire the further implementation of additional programs and resources similar to the AA/NA 12 step program. “Prior research indicates that personal religiosity inhibits activities such as smoking, drinking, and drug use”,( Li, S. D.2011). Religion and spirituality have both been a positive reinforcement for abuse and addiction prevention. Having a religious concept that ordains certain behaviors have helped to shape a person's belief system and desire for certain things, like alcohol and drugs. Religion places a barrier around the person holding them subject to adherence to the religion’s preference. Spirituality creates an environment that helps to depress the oppressed. Being spiritual can add the necessary complex needed mentally to sustain and abstain from abuse and addiction. The presence of a family structure that encourages spiritual and religious practices that denounce substance abuse should also be a part of the positive regimen to deter abuse and addiction. It has been researched that the majority of an adolescent understanding and experience with drugs and alcohol forms at a time when they are most vulnerable. Interpersonal family-level risk variables, including poor parental support and parental trust, greater family conflict, and low levels of bonding to family(Nargiso, J. E., Friend, K., & Florin, P. 2013). Having a family structure that protects young children from the effects and the trauma of abuse and addiction is one of the best ways to ensure their resilience against addiction and abuse. ABUSE AND ADDICTION 4 References FOX 26. (2018, April 5). Woman and baby killed in crash with suspected drunk driver on gulf freeway. FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://www.fox26houston.com/news/woman-and-baby-killed-in-crash-with-suspecteddrunk-driver-on-gulf-freeway Li, S. D. (2011). The religious context of parenting, family processes, and alcohol use in early adolescence. Journal of Drug Issues, 41(4), 619–648. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1177/002204261104100408 Montgomery, L., Vaughn, L. M., & Jacquez, F. (2022). Engaging adolescents in the fight against drug abuse and addiction: A concept mapping approach. Health Education & Behavior, 109019812110684. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1177/10901981211068416 Nargiso, J. E., Friend, K., & Florin, P. (2013). An examination of peer, family, and community context risk factors for alcohol use and alcohol use intentions in early adolescents. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 33(7), 973–993. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431613477238 Sussman, S. (2010). A review of alcoholics anonymous/ narcotics anonymous programs for teens. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 33(1), 26–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163278709356186 Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Lucy, W. H. (2021). Counseling individuals through the lifespan (counseling and professional identity) (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
