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Posts Tagged ‘teen’

Addiction is characterised by feelings of intense physiological or psychological dependency on something. The object of addiction usually offers something that the addicted person perceives as positive, even if only for the short term. This can be anything from substances like tobacco or even glue, to activities such as cyber social networking or sex. Experimentation and rebelliousness is perceived to be typical of the teen years, but the problem arises when experimentation leads to abuse and ultimately addiction.

There is a common misconception that abuse, such as the abuse of substances is synonymous with addiction. While abuse often leads to addiction, it is important to distinguish between the two. Abuse indicates that the action is inappropriate either socially, legally or physiologically in a way that puts the individual or those around them at risk. The rebellious nature of teens coupled with peer pressure often results in teens overestimating their tolerance to abuse of substances or activities. This makes teenagers more susceptible the development of an addiction.There are many forms of addiction, but the most common in teenagers would be substance addiction.

People of all ages are susceptible to experiencing stress, confusion and depression from situations or events occurring in their lives. This can often be experienced as so overwhelming that it leads the person to consider suicide as a “solution”. The onset of clinical conditions such as depression or dealing with a negative life circumstance can be so painful that the person’s thoughts frequently turn to ideas about escaping the constant torment of their situation.

This is particularly common in teenagers who lack the resources gained through life experience to overcome difficult life situations. Teens who reach this point feel that they lack the resources to cope with their problems and try to communicate feelings of hopelessness and the expression of insurmountable stress through suicide. While some teenagers attempt suicide as a desperate act to get help from others without the intention of ending life, there are those who have lost all hope that help is obtainable that the goal to end their life becomes a reality.