Essay on Adolescent and Young Adult Addiction: Impact of Age on Human Behavior

Introduction

Human beings often share various characteristics based on different factors such as age, gender, social considerations, and so on. Age plays a crucial role in determining human behavior, as explained in the book entitled "Adolescent and young adult addiction: The pathological relationship to intoxication and the interpersonal neurobiology underpinnings" by Jon Daily. The text is a comprehensive revelation of the struggles faced by modern-day youths in their daily interactions with society. The author foregrounds the fact that young adult addicts and adolescents are not suffering from the usual addictive substances such as heroin, OxyContin, marijuana, ecstasy, marijuana, alcohol, and so on. In reality, he explains that the problem is a different drug known as an illusion, which keeps them hooked on what he calls a pathological "relationship to intoxication." Consequently, this review will summarize the book while addressing the various insights generated from each text as well as essential takeaways for the reader.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Summary

Jon Daily writes the text "Adolescent and young adult addiction: The pathological relationship to intoxication and the interpersonal neurobiology underpinnings" to primarily address various issues in society. The message that young adults and adolescents are not supposed to approach their society and ask for help. Instead, established social systems are expected to collaborate and help them to identify their use of drugs as a problem. Once the systems have worked together to help them "lift the bottom," and eliminate the addict's relationship to the initial intoxication, they proceed to another level of finding a lasting solution (Daily 2012). The next step is to work hard and understand as well as treat the underpinning elements that often drive addiction. Failure to deal with the underpinnings results in relapses and, in some cases, cross-addictions. Thus, the author insists that the only key to long-lasting sobriety is to sustain neurobiological regulatory and rewriting the internal working model through the utilization of attuned relationships.

Insights

The author uses the text to draw the reader's attention to various helpful insights that reflect on the state of the society and the possible way forward. First, reading the book enables civilians who have been treating the issue casually to change their approach in understanding and treating youths struggling with addictive disorders. In the same light, immediate family members are encouraged to join the addicts and look into the various gears that propel addiction and, in turn, work towards achieving wellness and sobriety. In his piece on family, community, and care, Daily (2012), just as cosmetic surgery can help alter a person's nose or even erase a wrinkle, so can we help the youths by changing our personality and perception towards them. The insight here is that pointing an accusing finger at the addict and expecting them to change automatically is not a solution. Conversely, playing an active role and being part of the change would be more appropriate.

The writer's depiction of social expectations is grounded on the norms dictated by society, which humanity finds desirable. For instance, gender stereotypes will often deny men the chance to be depressed and claim that women should never get angry. The categorization and mode of diagnosis for adults when it comes to depression and personality disorders keeps changing, thereby creating other norms in the way society approaches child development (Daily 2012). In the same light, Jon tells the story of a seventeen-year-old named Scott, in the fourth chapter titled "The Stages of Drug Use and Rapid Progression." The young man is described as pleasant but also hyper-vigilant and anxious. The primary reason for his condition was that since as far back as he could remember, he had always had a problem with social interaction, which his peers had always used to tease him, and in turn, he turned to drug use and resultantly became an addict. The author's use of an anecdote gives a more vivid picture of how bad the situation can get, and when the counselor listens to Scott's story, it reveals where the addiction originated (Daily 2012). Observably, the reader can gather that it is not a crime to be a drug addict and that those who find themselves there also have their history.

Conclusion

Looking at the writer's choice and flow of ideas, one can conclude that the world has a long way to go if, eventually, there will be a breakthrough in handling addiction cases among youths and adolescents. In my opinion, the author has successfully illuminated the problem and its solutions. Even so, he would have better achieved this objective by considering the various reasons why society comes up with such stereotypes or the reasons why they fail to help the youth. As much as everyone else has a duty to help them without them having to ask for help themselves, the issue has to be looked at from both sides. Although the addict may be helpless regarding his or her situation, they have a role to play in protecting themselves early. For example, various circumstances are seen to converge and lead to Scott starting up drug use and even becoming an addict. However, it was still in his power to seek help early enough and possibly avert the calamity that is addiction.

References

Daily, J. (2012). Adolescent and young adult addiction: The pathological relationship to intoxication and the interpersonal neurobiology underpinnings. Recovery Happens.