<p> Developmental Stages 1</p><p>Running head: DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES</p><p>Developmental Stages: Impact of Substance Use in Adolescents</p><p>Charity Lake</p><p>University of Central Florida Developmental Stages 2</p><p>Developmental Stages</p><p>There are many different theorists that touched upon developmental stages throughout a person’s life. For the sake of this paper, I will use Erik Erikson’s theory. </p><p>Erik Erikson was a follower of Freud. Erikson understood that people were individuals and that everyone is different. He took Freud's main concepts and expanded them to include an emotional component. (Nowinski, 2003) His tasks are always listed as contradictions of each other.</p><p>In Erikson’s theory, the adolescent phase is called Identity vs. Role Confusion. He suggests that adolescence is a stage at which we are neither a child nor an adult, and life is definitely getting more complex as we attempt to find our own identity, struggle with social interactions, and fight with moral issues. (Nowinski, 2003) Our goal is to discover who we are as individuals. Some adolescents, however, may go into a period of withdrawing from responsibilities, which Erikson called a "moratorium."( Nowinski, </p><p>2003) If they are unsuccessful in developing in this stage, they will experience role confusion. The most significant relationships in this phase are with peer groups.</p><p>Substance Use</p><p>Substance use among adolescents occurs on a wide spectrum from experimentation to dependence. The consequences range from none to life threatening. </p><p>This is depending on the substance, the circumstances, and the frequency of use. </p><p>However, even occasional use can produce significant harm. In the early stages of use, the developmental tasks match the patterns of use in that they are peer focused. Although there are many risks involved in adolescent substance use such as teen pregnancy, </p><p>HIV/AIDS, mental health disorders, and other life threatening dangers, I will focus on the Developmental Stages 3 overall well being of the adolescent. In the later stages of adolescent use, social, identity, learning, and emotional developmental issues can be affected significantly. </p><p>Social</p><p>One of the consequences of an adolescent moving from social use to habitual use is that they move out of the mainstream culture and into the drug-using subculture. The teen then develops a self-centeredness reinforced by a group that is set apart by immediate gratification and impulsivity. ( Monti, 2001) Relationships are formed primarily with others in this group and the normal social tasks, which include dating and developing empathy for others, are not fulfilled. The adolescent becomes identified as part of this group and then is at risk for being stigmatized by the mainstream culture of their peers. This alienation by others can then affect their self-esteem and identity. </p><p>(Monti, 2001)</p><p>Identity</p><p>Another consequence of substance use is that the adolescent process of developing an identity becomes surrounded on a drug-using identity. Moral development, self-esteem, self-control, and other behaviors that adolescents need to learn in order to form a positive identity are affected because of the focus on using and the effects of the subculture. (Monti, 2001) The adolescent’s identity is then attached to the drug and the subculture. This prevents the adolescent from being open to new ideas, new behaviors, and new activities, a significant process in identity development. (Monti, 2001) </p><p>Experimentation, one of the main ways adolescents learn about themselves and their environment, is now focused on alcohol and drugs and prevents the idea of healthier outlets from taking precedence. Developmental Stages 4</p><p>Learning</p><p>Learning is also impacted by the consequences of their cognitive development and coping skills. Substances can impact the ability to concentrate, to remember, and to be motivated to learn. (Monti, 2001) One of the major tasks of adolescence is to develop cognitive abilities, such as abstract reasoning, problem solving, and goal setting. </p><p>Substance use disorders can interfere with all of these abilities. The adolescent may use alcohol to cope with a problem. The alcohol then provides emotional relief so the next time the adolescent has an issue, alcohol will most likely be used again. This pattern can lead to a dependency on using substances to cope. </p><p>Emotional</p><p>Adolescence provides many stressors that can be present while trying to move through the normal developmental stages. There are physical changes, new experiences, and social and family factors that all can contribute to the normal adolescent mood swings. Research has identified that the brains of adolescents are processing things differently. (Steinberg, 2002) A section of the brain that generates emotions, called the amygdale, increases in size and activity during adolescence. Serotonin, which regulates moods and controls impulses, will fluctuate more in adolescents than in adulthood. </p><p>(Steinberg, 2002) If an adolescent adds mood-altering substances to these normal developmental factors, it can affect the emotional well-being of the adolescent. This includes intense mood swings, impulsivity and self-destructive behaviors. (Steinberg, </p><p>2002) Depending on substances to manage stressors, these can vary in prevalence. </p><p>Adolescents need a safe environment and positive relationships in which they can vent Developmental Stages 5 these emotions, feel validated, and then be given alternative healthy skills for managing their behavior.</p><p>In conclusion, substance use in this stage of development can be detrimental on many different levels. Although, this doesn’t mean we should give up, because Erickson states that we can recover in later stages by finding healthy ways to offset previous behaviors and create a positive future. Developmental Stages 6</p><p>References</p><p>Monti, P., Colby, S., & O’Leary, T. (Eds.). (2001). Adolescents, alcohol, and substance </p><p> abuse. New York: Guilford Press.</p><p>Nowinski, J. (2003). Substance abuse in adolescents and young adults. New York: </p><p>Norton.</p><p>Steinberg, L., & Morris, A. (2001). Adolescent development. Annual Review of </p><p>Psychology, 52, 83- 110.</p>