Overcoming addiction is one of the most challenging and toughest cycles to break. Addiction has and continues to ruin people’s lives. Suffering from being addicted to drugs and alcohol has led many people to be self-destructive, be regretful, and just lose their individuality. People that are addicted to drugs and alcohol unfortunately have lost a sense of the real world. Although many are addicted to alcohol and drugs throughout the world I want to focus on all the teenagers that are a victim or currently addicted to a life threatening obsession. At this time teenagers are only establishing their identity, and starting to define who they are, but it seems that alcohol and drugs is defining them. Addiction is a disease that affects ones behavior but most importantly the brain. The purpose of this paper is to start a change and stop addiction against alcohol and drugs. Our generation and teenagers today are faced with many tough challenges such as divorcing parents and peer pressure and that seems to have led them to binge drink and follow a path that leads them to a negative direction.
First, to avoid any confusion a brief definition from Wikipedia has been given for a fully understanding concept of what is the difference between drug and alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction has been defined as “ habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms”. Drug addiction has been defined as a “chronic relapsing disorder characterized by persistent drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors". As times are passing by it seems that more and more teenagers are getting involved in these wrong doings and getting addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Furthermore, teen alcohol abuse is a very serious addiction and a very challenging problem to face. Many teens today have been a victim of it. Although the law says that you have to be 21 to be able to drink, teenagers enjoy that experience to try it. Drinking alcohol in high school meant that you were better than everybody else. Main point that teenagers drink is to fit in. At the moment it all looks perfect; they do not understand the consequences. Addiction can affect teenagers for the rest of their life. As heavy drinking continues by young teenagers the brain will start to not be able to compensate as effectively and performance will start to decline. Once drinking is a daily routine for a young adolescent the brain will become a factor that will only process information related to alcohol. At that point teenagers have to realize that alcohol is not a good idea after all. It is an obvious fact that use of excessive alcohol is a difficult struggle to bear and is associated with adverse effects on the brain.
Following up on these acts of addiction, drug addiction is a negative factor in our teenager’s lives. As I stated above, alcohol addiction has a powerful effect on the human body, well, drugs are no different. Now more than ever drugs are exposed way too much, therefore chances are most teenagers have been offered drugs like marijuana, or have tried it. Drug addiction will make a person weak, will leave people hopeless. Most teens that are drug addicts show a lack of motivation, or have no interest in real life, also, perform poorly in school and in everyday errands. As the use of heavy alcohol damages the brain, use of heavy drugs can also affect the part of the brain that controls memory. The most popular drug that is being used by teens is marijuana. According to “Inspirations” the statement that they have released about marijuana should be an eye opening to all the teens out there; “The marijuana that teens use today has more than twice the concentration of THC, the chemical that affects the brain, than the marijuana of 20 years ago. Young people who use marijuana weekly have double the risk of depression later in life, and teens who smoke marijuana weekly are three times more likely than non-users to have suicidal thoughts. Marijuana use in some teens has been linked to increased risk for schizophrenia in later years”. Experiencing drugs at such a young age, will only lead to a negative outcome in the future.
Many teens are addicted to drugs and alcohol, but why? There are reasons to why teenagers get involved in drinking and being addicted to alcohol. For example, if they’re parents are divorcing they find comfort in drinking because it relieves stress. Some do it to get attention and some simply do it to find comfort in themselves, since they cannot find comfort being with their parents. Unique challenges come with being a parent but if the parent is not interested in what their teen is doing or who they are hanging out with, then the risk is that the teenager will most likely get involved into illegal acts. Following up on this, being a teen itself is a challenge, and facing or dealing with divorce parents everyday will lead one to use alcohol just to relieve the stress or loneliness that they are encountering with. Even though it’s a tough struggle for them if they do get into a situation whereas they no longer have control over themselves, the parent also loses that sense of hope and trust in their child.
Yes, being a teenager is a tough struggle, and if drinking is involved in an excessive way than that struggle can get even tougher. Teenagers get involved in drinking at early age also, by peer pressure. Being exposed to alcohol at an early age, teens will likely try alcohol just for the experience they will gain. Too many teens start drinking not with the intentions that they want to get addicted, but once they get that taste they don’t let go. Many teens are peer pressured into doing illegal acts such as alcohol or drugs, because their friends are doing it, and because it gives them a sense of confidence. This story explains how one drink took this teens life in the wrong direction. “My story begins the summer before 7th grade—I was 11 years-old. My older brother, who was very popular in school and someone I looked up to, introduced me to opium. A week later, I began smoking marijuana. At first, I was only using drugs about three times a month. Then it became two times a week. By the middle of my sophomore year in high school, I was using daily and by my junior year, it was multiple times a day. After an injury that kept me from competitive gymnastics, I had to find something else to give my time to…something that could help me meet new friends”. Following up on this story it is sad to realize that all these young teens are so influenced by these drugs and only do it to because they want to fit in, they want to feel wanted or to be popular.
“Among teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 who say they drink heavily (five or more drinks on five or more occasions in the past month); 77 percent had at least one serious problem related to drinking in the past year; 63 percent had built up tolerance to the effects of alcohol; 20 percent reported psychological problems related to their drinking; 12 percent reported health problems related to their drinking. Teenagers who drink heavily are more likely to cut class or skip school, perform poorly in school, take sexual risks, and commit suicide. Heavy drinking increases the likelihood of delinquent and violent behavior including running away from home, fighting, vandalizing property, stealing and getting arrested”. In other words, this quote gives an exact percentage of how teen addiction is becoming a serious problem, and how high these statics are getting. In any case of being addicted to any substance it is an obvious fact that addiction is dangerous, and it will ruin their life. Not only is drinking alcohol at such a young age illegal, but if caught you can get arrested and cited by higher authorities. Alcohol addiction and drug addiction has led to many negative and life threating events like suicide attempts or lack of motivation to do anything with their life.
I do not like to drink, or go out, but when I turned 21 my friends and I decided to go to a bar where only people of age 21 and up were allowed. My best friend who is only 19 got in with a “fake” ID. The bodyguard did not even pay attention to her Driver License but rather the money that he had to collect before she entered. This is what needs to stop. Teens are getting alcohol and drugs easily and getting addicted because they the use of alcohol and drugs are exposed way too much in front of them. There is no more adult supervision out there. People care more about money than someone’s life or health. Parents in a teenager’s life are the most important factor. Without communication, love and comfort a teenager will most likely take a wrong turn that will affect them for the rest of their life. From my research and friends I have come to the conclusion that teenagers drink for many reason, but the main reason is because they do not get attention at home because the parents are either divorce or they do not have a father figure in their life. Parents need to realize that they are the main reason that will either make or break their teenager.
Personally, I believe that many teens are going through this because they do not have parental supervision or attention. To expand more on that, many parents are not paying attention to what their kids are doing. Many teens or people whom I have come in contact with say that they’re addicted to alcohol or drugs because either it runs in the family through genetics, they have a parent who is addicted, from peer pressure or they are stressed, because their home life is stressful. No one can argue even deny that at some point in their life were they not peer pressured or influenced to do something for the hell of it. What I can argue is that many teens get involved because they are “stressed” or they want to fit in, or they want to be loved. Many parents are not doing their job to keep their child off of these illegal acts. If the parents are divorced the child will most likely follow a path that will lead to negative direction. Because of the stress that is going on at home the only solution that will make them feel better is alcohol or drugs, well that’s what their claiming. Turning to alcohol for a solution is the problem, alcohol or drugs will not ease the problem, it will only make it worse. Parents are not keeping their child safe and under their wing. For example, divorced parents are giving all their attention to the divorce or the spouse; this is when the child feels alone and unloved. Not paying attention to your kids will make them do illegal acts, sometimes to only get attention. Be an inspirational and influential person in your teen’s lives, not a bad influence.
As many teens have been through this experience and are still going through this tough cycle many treatment programs are available to help the ones in need to overcome this problem and start a new chapter in their lives. There are a variety of treatment programs throughout the country that are designed to help teens overcome alcohol addiction. These programs focus on the behavioral and emotional issues that are a result of alcohol abuse and addiction in teens, and give teenagers the tools that will be necessary to overcome their substance abuse problems, some more famous than others.
There are web based programs that can help teens through this ongoing struggle for example; NIDA the National Institute on Drug Abuse offers great help and a promising brighter future. “NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve prevention and treatment and to inform policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction”. To follow up with this NIDA is the sources of science that will help our teens get their life back on track. There is help out there, one just got to be willing to change and have faith in yourself.
There is countless ways to get treated for such addiction, if it’s not web based program then it will be a rehabilitation center, for example Treatment Center. Net is a Rehabilitation Center that is website devoted to help struggling individuals that are dealing with addiction. “Treatment-Centers.net is a community based public-benefit website devoted to helping individuals and families find help for addiction and dual diagnosis. Our site contains the largest and most comprehensive publicly rated and reviewed directory of addiction treatment centers in existence. Our aim is to provide a platform for people to learn and share about addictions and co-occurring disorders, and serve as a trustworthy resource for information about addiction and addiction treatment centers. We provide free drug and alcohol assessments submitted through our assessment form, and have a toll-free helpline staffed by professional counselors 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism, dual diagnosis or behavioral addiction (i.e. sex addiction, gambling addiction, internet addiction) call us at 877-335-4673, we're here to help!” Through their website and the detail description of what they offer this treatment center is a definitely a step toward a future that is a promise of strength, hope and a new life.
Many people out there are trained and experienced with patients that are going through severe challenges with alcohol and drug addiction. Although many treatment centers are not available 24/7 this addiction treatment is available day or night, ant day any time to help those in need. “24 Addiction Help Line” has set very high standards and is a very helpful site. “Our addiction treatment has many steps that one may take to reach their goals. We are trained in many areas and want to make your treatment meet your special needs. So whether the addiction treatment is for you or a loved one we can set up a plan that will work with you on a one on one basis. We have a 24 hour service and would like to hear from you when you are ready to take the steps needed for recovery”. Many teens that are struggling with these painful challenges and ongoing struggles do not take the initiative to make themselves better. There is help out there and as I stated above if one is willing to change their life around in hopes for a better future they need to start now.
Whether it will be a web based program, rehabilitation facility or a 24 hour center if you need help get out there and get help. Many people will be willing to help those who are in need. Addiction will rip you apart and destroy you. There comes a point where your addiction will take over your life, it will control you;
As a result, addiction to alcohol and drugs are taking away lives. They are destroying our generations and our teenagers. Now more than ever, drugs and alcohol are exposed excessively. Teens are getting addicted with alcohol and drugs because they are peer pressured or they are having problems at home with their parents. Every case of a teen being addicted to alcohol or drugs is a unique one. But without a doubt one cannot argue that divorced parents are not likely the reason teens get addicted to drugs or alcohol. At home, where you’re supposed to be loved and feel wanted, these teens are experiencing something different. Something like, not getting the attention they need, or every day is a struggle to go home because they are tired of hearing their parents yell and getting into fights. Being a teen is a tough enough battle on its own, but being surrounded with friends that influence you in a negative way and having parents that are way to caught up in their divorce or work is a tough challenge on its own. In final words, teens need to realize that friends that are pressuring them to do something illegal it’s not “cool”, also parents need to become aware that if their teen is showing sign of stress they need to show them that they are there for them, show your teen that they are wanted and loved unconditionally by you.
Work Cited Page
"National Institute on Drug Abuse - The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction." Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://www.nida.nih.gov/nidahome.html>.
Addiction Hotline | 24/7 Alcohol Abuse & Drug Addiction Helpline 24 Hour Addiction Helpline. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://24houraddictionhelp.org/>.
"Alcohol Rehab | Alcohol Treatment Centers | Alcohol Rehabilitation Program | The Treatment Center." Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers | Drug Rehab | Alcohol Detox | The Treatment Center. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://www.thetreatmentcenter.com/alcohol-treatment/?mm_campaign=8dce91bb9eaf191799b730525ae912e9>.
Wikipedia. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://www.wikipedia.org/>.
"Teens' Serious Alcohol Problems." Ensuring Solutions' Alcohol Cost Calculator. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://www.alcoholcostcalculator.org/kids/teens/print-teens.php>.