Adolescence

Adolescence / young Adult: A time of great change, discovery, experimentation, and ‘pushing the boundaries’. Finding our place in the great scheme of Things, a purpose, our personal Code of Ethics, etc; as well as forming relationships with others (and ourself!) can be challenging: a time of stress.

Change, of any kind, brings its own types of stress

Adolescence has its own stressors; it can be a time of uncertainty and frustration, as we assert ourself within the structure of the family unit or society in general (or forsake our individual preferences to ‘fir in’ with other peers). It can also be a time of great joy, as we spread our wings and learn to fly!

It is a time of fluctuating emotions; and indeed, the brain does not fully mature until our late twenties.

Some emotional behaviour patterns we learn from our family. Experiences during childhood help to shape our sense of self. Persistent negative behaviours, moods, and attitudes of adulthood have certain ‘conditioning’ patterns. Self-defeating patterns can manifest in anger, resentment, anxiety and depression.

As we reach adulthood we start to develop self-observation skills, become aware of behavioural choices, learn how to connect with others on a mature level, find personal responsibility and develop the ability to appropriately trust self and others, and become more open hearted and empathic.

Ideally, we mature with impulse control, balancing and integrating care for the four fundamental dimensions of our being: body, intellect, emotions and spirit (including belief, awareness, sense of self and purpose).

So, are we stuck with perceptions from early experiences?

Not at all! The amazing plasticity of the brain means we have the ability to change our thoughts and our feelings.

An adolescent’s brain is still a work-in-progress.

Adolescents wired for addiction? As mentioned, the prefrontal cortex does not mature until we are nearly 30 years old. Drugs change the brain – they change its structure and how it works.

Researchers have found adolescents are more vulnerable than any other age group to developing nicotine, alcohol and other drug addictions because the regions of the brain that govern impulse and motivation are not yet fully formed. They also concluded that substance use disorders in fact constitute neurodevelopment disorders.

“Several lines of evidence suggest that sociocultural aspects particular to adolescent life alone do not fully account for greater drug intake. Whilst genetic factors can lower the threshold of drug exposure required for ‘tripping the switch’ from experimental to addictive drug use (40%–60% susceptibility), we have a phenomenon where a neurodevelopment stage common to virtually everyone regardless of genetic make-up confers enhanced neurobiological vulnerability to addiction which may occur more rapidly and potentially with greater permanency.” Andrew Chambers, M.D., Yale School of Medicine.

We ‘set’ certain patterns and ‘sow seeds’ in our teens.

Many of our clients come to us believing their addiction has appeared relatively recently; the majority can trace it back to teenage ‘habits’ and use. Problems may not occur until middle 30s or 40s, with long periods of limited use/abstinence in between.

DRUGS CHANGE BRAINS disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgement and behaviour control; health-related problems (including mental health) as alcohol and other drugs create PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL STRESS of BRAIN and BODY.

Science-Validated Intervention

Rationally designed, based on current knowledge, information is presented in such a way to ‘make perfect sense’ whilst understanding the limitations of absorption and the emotional ‘background’ or baggage associated with use.

Perceptions about the risks of drug-taking change.

Adolescents are not ‘stupid’. They may sometimes follow-the-crowd initially, but when the correct material is presented, the facts given, without being condescending, all our youngsters have come to the conclusion: to get the most out of their life, to be all they can be, to find themselves and follow their dreams, to find motivation and fulfil their aspirations, alcohol and other drugs quite simply don’t fit in to the equation!

Why do people take drugs?

To feel good.
To feel better.
To do better.
Curiosity and “because others are doing it”.

Whilst most youngsters will use alcohol and other drugs for the Party Effect, for some they provide a Comfort Effect, for underlying issues. Adolescents are not always able to express their emotions in a way adults understand. Sometimes ‘bottled-up’ feelings become secondary emotions which come out as aggression, which adults can easily react with to their own anger. Intervention with additional family meetings helps with healthy communication.

Warning Signs Include:

Inattentiveness, lying, stealing, demanding money, late nights at friend’s place, poor concentration and poor grades, lack of sleep and appetite (see also other Warning Signs and Symptoms of Stress), avoiding company and family, blaming others without reason, low tolerance and losing control, mood swings and paranoia, lack of interest in People, Things and personal appearance. Depression.

Change Includes:

Communication, accountability, responsibility, respectful behaviour, structure, consistency and adherence to boundaries. Correct nutrition (essential for mood swings!)Numerous tools for you, the adolescent, to know yourself, psychologically, physically and spiritually, the function of emotions and thoughts, develop understanding of actions (i.e. motivation and/or intent), and realise your full potential.

www.coap.co.uk – A website for young people affected by someone else’s addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Free on line counselling.