Question: How might adolescent and adult substance use problems differ?

What do you
think the most common substance use disorder of adolescence is? What are some factors
that may determine the course of an individual's substance use disorder?

Initial: Adolescent and adult drug use issues differ because teens are still undergoing brain
development, namely in the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for decision-making and
impulse control. This makes these individuals to be more vulnerable to engaging in risky
activities, such as drug abuse. Whereas adults have fully matured brains and may exhibit
different motives and coping strategies in relation to drug use. I think alcohol is the most
prevalent drug use problem among adolescents. Some factors that may determine the course of
an individual's substance use disorder is ones' genetic predisposition as this can be a determining
factor in an individual's sensitivity to addiction and may influence the course of their drug use
disorder. The interplay between brain chemistry and the impact of chemicals on it plays a
significant role in determining the likelihood of addiction. In addition, the presence of co-
occurring mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety may exacerbate drug use
disorder.

Reflect on YOUR initial post and tie it to material that you learned throughout the module. The
goal of this assignment is to explore how your thinking may or may not have changed throughout
the section.

In reference to my previous post, I have discovered that the module and lecture slides
include similar material. According to the information presented on slide 12, there are several
ways in which adolescent and adult substance use problems differ. For example, it states how
adolescents are more likely to engage in episodic use, use multiple substances simultaneously,
and have comorbid behavior problems. Additionally, it is more common for adolescents to
outgrow their substance use problems as they transition into adulthood unlike adults. This also
aligns with my first response that adults exhibit more maturity, since teenagers are still
experiencing neurodevelopmental processes related to decision-making and impulse control.
Furthermore, it indicates that alcohol is the predominant substance due to its widespread use in
educational institutions. The lecture slides 43, 48, and 54 explain that an individual's ethnicity,
genetic predisposition, and parental protective factors may all influence the development and
progression of their drug use disease. This is consistent with my hypothesis that hereditary
diathesis is a contributing factor to one's substance se disorder.