The Sensitive Nature of Adolescent Heroin Addiction
When we think of substance abuse among adolescents, we tend to conjure up images of teens drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. Yet studies conducted between 2010 and 2011indicate that approximately one in every five adolescents use an illicit drug. While these studies do show that heroin use amongst those aged between 12 and 17 is not as prevalent as drugs that are more readily available such as marijuana, they do indicate that heroin use amongst teens is a serious issue. Heroin and the Adolescent Mind Heroin addiction is a rough ordeal regardless of the addict’s age. Yet its horrific nature has a different dimension amongst teenagers. The reason for this is because of the adolescent’s neurocognitive and phschosocial tendencies are not fully developed. Over this stretch of time, a young person’s actions stemming from normal development evolve from being more impulsive
to more reasoned in nature. The introduction of heroin causes a disruption of this maturation process, which could in turn be the impetus for a dangerous downward spiral. The developmental aspect of adolescent life combines with the other issues that are normally associated with heroin addiction to make it a particularly harrowing condition. As such, it is especially critical that teens that have been seduced by the power of heroin find a loving way to break the cycle. A Delicate Approach It can be very difficult to work with an adolescent to overcome addiction, particularly when the substance in question is such a powerful substance like heroin. The elements that make addiction such a devastating disease are obviously present. But they are also augmented by the emotional hurricane that spins inside an adolescent as they try to mature into adulthood. And because an addiction to heroin can inhibit the growth and maturation of a teen’s cognitive and emotional state, the cycle that heroin addiction can create has the great potential to be all the more vicious. As such, it is imperative that when the adolescent gets to the point where the desire to embark on the journey to reclaim their life and seek out the hope that comes with recovering from the disease, it is important that those around them provide them with a considerable amount of love and support. Along the way, it is imperative that the people that are fostering this level of support to realize that their role in the journey will not be an easy one. However, considering the promise that comes with seeing a teen that has recovered from a heroin addiction, these tough steps are worth every effort needed to take them. Recovery Based on Assurance The backbone of recovery from heroin addiction is one that is built on a spiritual awakening; one that involves a major shift in the way one looks at life. This manifests itself through a
connection with a power that is greater than the addict, but for teenagers, this can also manifest itself through the connection with the various social settings that are so critical to normal teenage development as a whole. In the world of adolescents, nurturing this kind of social environment would mean a strong connection with peer groups and family units. This could include positive encouragement and love from parents to simply being able to discuss the journey of recovery with other adolescents that have taken the steps needed to connect to the higher power. It could also include the integration of other systems that could encourage positive interaction and involvement for the recovering adolescent, such as creative or athletic programs at school. Encouragement is the Key Above all else, it is important that the adolescent trying to recover from heroin addiction knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he or she is surrounded by love and encouragement. Heroin is a powerful substance, and it is one whose might can make an adolescent feel hopeless – particularly when one considers the effect that the drug has on cognitive development. Yet it is not impossible for an adolescent to overcome heroin’s devastation, and it is imperative that the recovering heroin addict is reminded of the type of life awaits them on the other side of the recovery process. And what does await them is unequivocally fantastic.