Detecting the Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse in Children and Adolescents
Introduction
Ali et al. (2011) observe that over several decades now, research indicates that addiction to substance abuse has progressively remained an unsolved problem in America. With the majority group affected being the youths, myriad of analyses to provide a course of action to intercept this issue have been carried out and still are currently (Ali et al., 2011). According to the American Society for Addiction Medicine, addiction is a primary disease that is stigmatized and often misunderstood by both society and its victims. It is an illness commonly characterized by the behavioural aspect of continued alcohol and drug abuse despite their side effects on the person (Shankar et al., 2018). The trending problem in the society remains detecting and intercepting substance abuse in kids and especially adolescents which remains a mystery to the government, medical institutions and parents even today. According to American Addiction Therapists, addiction is a progressive disease, and early warnings may be challenging to spot. However, (Levy & Williams, 2016), the ability of parents to understand their children’s’ emotions, behavioural patterns, interests and habits may necessitate early detection and prevention. Here, early signs of trouble will be apparent hence sensing when things are amiss will be more comfortable. In an attempt to proficiently identify signs of addiction, it is empirical to understand the theories behind addiction, various environmental factors associated with human development, ethical strategies to ensure resilience, and the best practices to foster prevention and intervention.
Theories and Etiology of Addictions and Addictive Behaviors
Ouzir & Errami (2016) observe that several theories have been proposed with deliberate efforts to identify the mechanisms that best explain the ranging behaviours observed in addicts. As addiction has its toll in the modern society and remains an acute disease, researchers’ efforts are augmented to demonstrate the various models behind addiction to realize necessary interventions to combat this problem (Ouzir & Errami, 2016). Basing on the multiple reasons counter-offered by addicts towards substance abuse, such as augmenting sensations of pleasure and other aversive effects of substance abuse, studies have developed a couple of models that best explain addiction. At the same time, (Shafiee, Razaghi & Vedadhir, 2019) note that studies strive to identify various vulnerabilities and factors that expose children to a substance abuse disorder which significantly vary per individual. According to research, successful addiction models should synthesize the situational, pharmacological, personality and cultural components that constitute and explain best the addiction nexus (Shafiee, Razaghi & Vedadhir, 2019). From the expeditions of the cognitive theory of addiction or rather the expectancy model, addictive behaviours are preferred more often to healthy habits due to the expectations people hold. Ouzir & Errami (2016) explains that it implicates that when an individual’s perception towards the advantages of addictive habits outdo those of health behaviours, more certainly they will choose addiction. For instance, craving may be believed if it is not satisfied may cause harm while adopting healthy practices may result in boredom (Ouzir & Errami, 2016). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this is a common notion that is prevalent in most adolescents which has inexorably increased the addiction cases (Shafiee, Razaghi & Vedadhir, 2019). As therapists state, youths abuse drugs to avoid boredom arising from healthy life most people lead. Accurately, (Ali et al., 2011), some intentions are aimed to satisfy the cravings they have towards drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, and other narcotics.
Conversely, these expectations are conjured up by factors such as movies exhibiting drug-abuse characters who portray a glamorous habit of an exciting life of drugs. Youths may tend to ponder over such issues by using themselves as the experimental items behold expectations similar to that of the character (Shafiee, Razaghi & Vedadhir, 2019). Consequently, addictive behaviours prevail, since once a habit is adopted, addiction is the next result. Secondly, the learning theory of addiction reflects on the learned behaviours of individuals. According to Ali et al. (2011), people tend to adopt addictive behaviours based on principled collateral learning. In this light, there are various perspectives of learning that people may conform to, for instance, social learning, which mainly constitutes learning via observation. Here, individuals observe addictive habits from influential characters, for example, parents and peers, which they later tend to adopt (Shafiee, Razaghi & Vedadhir, 2019).
Furthermore, Ouzir & Errami (2016) indicate that classical learning as another form of learning model where individuals learn through paired association. Through conventional discovery, individuals tend to pair out the pleasure of addictive activities concerning environmental cues (Ali et al., 2011). For instance, kids may opt to smoke after school, which is often their free time. Consequently, it forms a paired association linking free time after school with smoking marijuana.
Systematic and Environmental Factors that Affect Human Development
According to Shankar et al. (2018), human growth and development is a careful process influenced by a myriad of aspects that interact retrospectively to bring forth a complete being. Concisely, research dictates factors such as environmental, economic, biological and political as determinants of human development. In this light, it is logical to evaluate the impact of environmental factors on development, functioning and the overall human behaviour (Shankar et al., 2018). Recent research indicates that social progress, functioning, and behaviour incorporate forces such as nutrition, family, modernization/urbanization, and peers (Levy & Williams, 2016). Nutrition encompasses the intake of food and utilization of nutrients. According to the World Health Organization, nutrition plays a critical role in the body by ensuring equitable brain, borne, and muscle development that necessitates growth.
Consequently, as Shankar et al. (2018) states, this lack prompts kids to use the necessary measures to provide for such basic needs hence inducing risky actions that make them susceptible to substance use and addiction. Lack of proper nutrition may cause malnutrition or other behaviours. Family, on the other hand, reflects on the relationship capability of an individual (Shankar et al., 2018). Families that cultivate explicit moral values through consistent bonding and compatible rules reduce the risk of substance abuse (Shankar et al., 2018). Similarly, negative family influences cause a decrease in morality relatively leading to uncultured behaviours that may initiate substance abuse. Further, urbanization reflects on the nature of the background of one’s development. Shankar et al. (2018) argue that urbanized environments are susceptible to immoral behaviours such as substance use compared to unmodernized settings. According to research, development countries modernization has been linked to increased psychological distress and alcohol abuse (Levy & Williams, 2016). In light of this, studies indicate that kids are exposed to a surrounding of the interaction of forces that are not generally monitored by parents or adults who are often busy working (Ali et al., 2011). Lack of monitoring exposes children and adolescents to behaviours that may expose them to substance abuse hence resulting in addiction. Lastly, research indicates that peer forces are the most common factors linked to the rise of drug abuse (Shankar et al., 2018). It encompasses the friendship environment of children and the various influences it has on them. For instance, when kids associate with peers who have risky behaviours may adopt the same as explained by the social theory of learning. They tend to observe and perceive the actions of their friends as pleasurable and appealing.
Ethical and Culturally Relevant Strategies for Promoting Resilience
According to Baños et al. (2017), the prevalence of psychological problems in adolescents is a typical case in the current society. Numerous studies indicate a significant existence of depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders in the youths of the new community (Baños et al., 2017). More, so, they illuminate the probability that most adulthood psychiatric disorders arise from childhood or adolescence (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2014). Therefore, researchers strive to identify beneficial strategies that may help intervene and prevent extremism of these issues in an attempt to promote the wellness of this group. In light of this, various techniques have been suggested that encompass formulae to ensure adolescents and children are assisted on how to maintain a modicum of wellness and optimum development (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2014). According to the health stipulations by the World Health Organization, prevention should constitute the promotion and development of individuals’ strengths to avert their susceptibility to mental and psychological disorders (Baños et al., 2017). Researchers denote that strategies adopted aim at reducing the risk factors, interrupting the progress of the illness, and minimizing the resulting affiliations (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2014). Firstly, positive psychology has been an approved method for several studies. It illuminates the comprehension of the conditions and forces that allows the flourishing and overall optimal functioning of an individual. It constitutes positivity of emotions, personal characteristics, interpersonal relations, and institutions such as family and school (Baños et al., 2017). Research has provided substantial evidence that has proved the efficacy of these interventions in promoting well-being and reducing depressive symptoms.
Additionally, the use of ICT based interventions has proved successful since the majority of youths are reliant on internet-related devices (Baños et al., 2017). Therefore, studies have explored the advantages of using technology to reproach and monitor the behaviours and provide them with the necessary information that would ensure their well-being. However, studies only restrict positive-based internet technology that has been deemed valid and sustainable tools to ensure equitable health care.
Evidence-based Counseling Strategies
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, substantial progress has been made in an attempt to develop prevention plans for substance abuse among teenagers. These said interventions majorly focus on the risk factors and the etiology of drug use and abuse (Colistra, Crite Jr, Campbell & Brickner). Research indicates that the prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse rapidly increases from early to late teens. In contemporary American society, the youths have been noted to experiment often with substance use (Colistra et al.). This has led to fervent studies to develop initiatives to counter this growing problem (Das, Salam, Arshad, Finkelstein & Bhutta, 2016). Based on the proposals put in place by the Institute of Medicine, strategies should incorporate a continuum of care that is inclusive of prevention, treatment, and maintenance (Das et al., 2016). According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), there are several youth-focused prevention strategies whose efficacy has been proved over the years (Griffin & Botvin, 2010). For instance, (Levy & Williams, 2016), educational and skills training programs for young people in schools or rather school-based prevention program that help impart knowledge on effects of drug abuse and several measures to combat addiction in adolescents. Secondly, Levy & Williams (2016) state that the NIDA has developed family-based prevention models that educate parents and guardians on how to monitor their kids as well as communicate with them. Also, they provided practical guidelines on how to establish family rules about drug abuse and how to help their addicted kids cope up (Griffin & Botvin, 2010).
Additionally, studies have identified community-based plans that include the above strategies. Accumulating evidence shows that these programs combine with additional mass media components to restrict, for instance, access to drugs at a minimum age requirement (Das et al., 2016). Colistra et al. note that these prevention programs not only target risk factors for drug use but also eliminate the risk of further relapse of the same substances. According to the IOM, it is crucial for prevention remedies to remain flexible and responsive to the ever-changing environment to ensure their effectiveness in the trending needs.
Conclusion
In contemporary society, adolescents are the majority group susceptible to substance abuse. This has induced the rise of increased addiction cases that are augmenting every day in American culture and globally. In light of this, theories have been developed to explain the etiology of addictive behaviours and the various forces that influence human development. Further, researches conducted have identified ethical and culturally acceptable measures to help promote a modicum of continued well-being in a lifespan within adolescents. More so, accumulated studies have explored a variety of evidence-based interventions that may aid in the treatment and prevention of further drug use among teenagers. Therefore, the community needs to adopt the said measures to help the youths from this sinking ship of substance use early enough.
References
Ali, S., Mouton, C. P., Jabeen, S., Ofoemezie, E. K., Bailey, R. K., Shahid, M., & Zeng, Q. (2011). Early detection of illicit drug use in teenagers—innovations in clinical neuroscience, 8(12), 24.
Baños, R. M., Etchemendy, E., Mira, A., Riva, G., Gaggioli, A., & Botella, C. (2017). Online positive interventions to promote well-being and resilience in the adolescent population: A narrative review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 8, 10.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2014). A Review of the Literature. In Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US).
Colistra, A. L., Crite Jr, C. E., Campbell, J. E., & Brickner, A. Best Practices: Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Adolescents.
Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., Arshad, A., Finkelstein, Y., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2016). Interventions for adolescent substance abuse: An overview of systematic reviews. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(4), S61-S75.
Griffin, K. W., & Botvin, G. J. (2010). Evidence-based interventions for preventing substance use disorders in adolescents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 19(3), 505-526.
Levy, S. J., & Williams, J. F. (2016). Substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. Paediatrics, 138(1), e20161211.
Ouzir, M., & Errami, M. (2016). Etiological theories of addiction: A comprehensive update on neurobiological, genetic and behavioural vulnerability. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 148, 59-68.
Shafiee, S. A., Razaghi, E., & Vedadhir, A. A. (2019). Multi-Level Approach to Theories of Addiction: A Critical Review. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 13(2).
Shankar, K., Pivik, R. T., Johnson, S. L., van Ommen, B., Demmer, E., & Murray, R. (2018). Environmental forces that shape early development: What we know and still need to know. Current events in nutrition, 2(8), nzx002.