This paper examines the strong connection between childhood trauma and adolescent substance abuse, presenting evidence that trauma survivors are three times more likely to develop addiction. It reviews how critical periods of adolescent brain development—particularly cortical maturation—are disrupted by drug and alcohol use, and discusses protective factors including spiritual development in treatment programs. The paper also highlights regional variation in adolescent substance abuse rates, citing Arizona's elevated statistics from national surveillance data.
The incidence of traumatic events for children and adults in the United States is one in four, and one in eight of American 17-year-olds have experienced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lives (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008). This same population of adolescents has access to a variety of drugs that can dull the effects of stress from trauma or PTSD (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008). Moreover, use of psychoactive drugs exposes these young people to increased risk of additional traumatic events (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008).
Experts estimate that by the time adolescents finish eighth grade, 41 percent have consumed alcohol and 29 percent have used illegal drugs (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008). This early experimental use of alcohol and drugs progresses to substance abuse or dependence for 20 percent of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008). The National Survey of Adolescents reported that young people who have been victims of sexual or physical abuse or assault were three times more likely to be current or past abusers of controlled substances than their peers without traumatic histories (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008). For adolescents with PTSD, the relationship is even stronger, with up to 59 percent developing substance abuse problems (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008).
The growth and remodeling of the cortex continues from birth through adolescence, and this growth is marked by critical periods of development (Fulton, He, & Hodge, 2007). Specific and major synaptic learning and rearrangement occurs during these critical periods (Fulton, He, & Hodge, 2007). The adolescent period establishes maturation of reasoning, talents, and other complex behaviors (Fulton, He, & Hodge, 2007).
These behaviors occur in concert with cortical synaptic remodeling and changes in neurogenesis, neurotransmitter receptors and transmitters, and hormones (Fulton, He, & Hodge, 2007). These critical developments are disrupted by the use of alcohol and drugs, such that adult characteristics dependent on cortical development for their expression are negatively impacted (Fulton, He, & Hodge, 2007). Understanding the biological basis of adolescent development is essential for recognizing why this population is particularly vulnerable to lasting consequences of substance use.
"Spirituality in treatment improves abstinence outcomes"
"Arizona reports highest youth substance abuse rates"
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