ADOLESCENCE ADDICTION - Essay Example

Adolescence Addiction Introduction Addiction can be defined as a when an individual is overpoweredby his mental or physical state. The individuals in most cases do not have the capacity to stop the behavior which in most cases is as a result of abusing a substance. Adolescent addiction refers to the addiction at an earlier and unacceptable age (Essau, 2008). It is most caused by various factors including peer pressure, societal expectations or the environment. This essay aptly examines adolescence addictions.

Adolescence addictions16 years old Maria is abusing drugs yet she has not reached an adult life which is 18. She smokes marijuana twice a week, drinks alcohol one to two weekends a month, and she is starting to get addicted to cocaine. Maria’s diagnostic criteria would involve clear communication, intervention and treatment by various parties concerned. The type of substance use diagnosis that may apply to her involves the use of structured devices to accurately identify the type, of disorder or addiction she is suffering.

Secondly, withdrawal effects might also have an effect in her alcohol and cocaine habits. Signs/symptoms showing that Terry is an addict are easily identified from his inability to perform his task at the workplace. He is a heavy drinker who often suffers from blackouts, he experiences mood swings that make him violent and angry, thus suffers from relationship problems with his girl friend. Lastly, Terry suffers from withdrawal problems as he unsuccessfully tried to limit his heavy drinking behavior with no success.

Terry’s diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse are that he has been a heavy user for more than three years resulting to failure in accomplishing outstanding obligations at work (Rosner, 2012). The use diagnosis that might apply to Terry involves the development of tolerance to help him reduce the effects of the taken alcohol and cocaine. Withdrawal might also apply in Terry’s alcoholic and cocaine case. In my opinion, DSM-IV is not effective in the above cases since it raises a lot of confusion in its remission effects.

DSM-IV will have negative impacts when applied on Maria and Terry because of the stigma associated to patients who are subject to its labeling. Secondly, the method might also lead to misdiagnosis since it has not been certified as being the best method for treating patients who experience similar conditions to Maria and Terry (Fauman, 2002).ConclusionConclusively, adolescence addiction is an emerging issue in the society affecting both the society and the individual who indulge into the addiction.

Most adolescence addiction is as a result of substance abuse leading to failure to perform substantial work obligations, physical harm, recurrent social problem and legal problems. Maria is an adolescent addict while Terry is an addict. This is notable from their substance abuse habits and Terry’s inability to deliver in various situations. In-spite of not being effective, the DSM-IV plays a significant role in helping addicts to stop the habits and achieve their sanity making them responsible individuals in the society (First, et al, 2004).

Age is a decisive factor to consider because of its significance in the integration of callous-unemotional traits for easy improvement of classification. ReferencesEssau, C. (2008). Adolescent addiction: Epidemiology, assessment and treatment. Amsterdam: Academic.First, M. B., Frances, A., & Pincus, H. A. (2004). DSM-IV-TR guidebook. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.Fauman, M. A. (2002). Study guide to DSM-IV-TR. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.Rosner, R. (2012). Clinical handbook of adolescent addiction.

Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.