Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Brain Hospital Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan made evaluations on alcohol, cigarette and substance addiction seen in adolescence.
Stating that adolescence is an important risk factor for alcohol, cigarette or substance addiction, experts emphasize that parents should observe their children well. Emphasizing that families can notice their children's substance use after 2 years, experts underline that attention should be paid to difficulties in anger control, disruption in sleep patterns and withdrawal behaviors. Pointing out the importance of family attitudes in the development of addiction, experts say that alcohol addiction develops much faster in case of alcohol use at an early age.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan made evaluations on alcohol, smoking and substance addiction seen in adolescence.
Adolescence is a period very open to risky behaviors
Emphasizing that adolescence is a risky period for all young people, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said, "The front part of the brain, which enables the person to make logical decisions and to restrain himself, matures after the 20s. In adolescence, the person is in a constant state of movement and search, he does something, he cannot be satisfied, he cannot stop himself. This is because the front part of the brain, called the "wheelhouse", which enables us to make logical decisions, is not fully developed. The brake mechanisms of the brain are not fully functioning. Adolescence is a biological period when we are very open to risky behaviors and hormonal irregularities are at the forefront."
How does addiction start?
Stating that the basis of addiction is the inability to control oneself, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said that during adolescence, the individual is both curious about and afraid of drugs or alcohol, and that there is a balance between fear and curiosity. Explaining the process of the onset of addiction, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said:
"If the feeling of fear is greater than curiosity, the adolescent will not use substances, they will stay away. But if curiosity is greater than fear due to personality traits or underlying genetic characteristics, this individual will want to try alcohol and drugs. He/she will try it once and say, 'What is this, I tasted it once, I didn't understand anything'. If he/she comes across a friend, he/she uses again, and this time changes start to take place in his/her brain. After a while, the area of the brain called the reward center is affected. The reward center of the brain is sensitive to the hormone dopamine, which provides pleasure. The substance used will cause a very rapid release of dopamine and related changes in the brain. After a while, there will be biological changes in the brain and the reward center will be negatively affected. With the continuation of substance use, the person will stop enjoying pleasurable activities such as eating, going to the movies, and engaging in hobbies. After a while, the brain stops seeing normal behavior as a reward. At this point, the spiral of addiction has begun. An adolescent who uses substances evaluates himself/herself very differently when he/she is actually in a process that has biologically negative effects. After a while, the physiological structure of the brain will change and they will become unable to control themselves. The underlying problem of addiction is actually the loss of the individual's ability to control themselves without realizing it."
Families learn that their child is using substances after two years
Pointing out that families realize late that their children use alcohol, cigarettes or substances, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said, "According to studies, families learn that their children start using substances, alcohol or cigarettes after about 2 years. Before families, we, teachers, schools, the public and society have a great job to do. It is not necessary to say that my child will not do it, I trust my child, my child has a strong will, he/she will not drink. Everyone can be addicted. When we say addiction, we are not talking about a personality disorder, moral deficiency or weakness of will. There is a disease here and the primary way to prevent the disease is to prevent the individual from coming into contact with the disease, that is, the substance that leads to addiction."
Attention to behavioral changes!
Drawing attention to behavioral changes in adolescents, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan listed the signs to pay attention to as follows "Adolescence is a dynamic transition period from childhood to adulthood. Every individual experiences this process. The adolescent who starts to conflict with his/her family is in search of an environment where he/she will be accepted. This period is a period that is open to risky behaviors. During adolescence, distancing from the family begins, they want to enjoy being an individual. He/she starts to close the door of his/her room, makes secret meetings, suddenly starts to disappear. He wants to come home and go to his room without being seen by anyone. When an individual starts using substances, emotional and behavioral changes are at the forefront. For example, they suddenly become angry and cannot control their anger. They start arguing when they don't get what they want. They may start to neglect their responsibilities and lessons. They make new friends instead of their old circle of friends. Sleep patterns change, they start not sleeping at night and sleep during the day. Secret conversations, withdrawal, rapid emotional and behavioral changes become noticeable. Physically, his/her speech may be lisping, his/her eyes may be red. Clumsiness, accidents, uncontrolled reflexes may be observed. Depressive symptoms such as unhappiness, malaise, pessimism and aimlessness are also frequently observed. The problem here is the difficulty in distinguishing between normal behavioral changes of adolescence and changes due to substance abuse. In this context, it is necessary to be very careful, observe well and establish good relationships. "
Families should not allow alcohol use at an early age
Referring to some family attitudes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said, "The perspective of the society, attitudes and behaviors of families are of great importance for a healthy adolescence. The most basic requirement is to determine and clearly implement the rules within the family. There should be no inconsistencies between the behavior of the mother and father. For example, some families may allow their children to smoke or drink alcohol at an early age. Comparing them with other families and allowing them to do so may lead to the development of more risky behaviors in the future. Alcohol or substance use at an early age is known to cause addiction to develop faster. During adolescence, the brain does not complete its full development both physically and functionally, and alcohol or substance use during this period negatively affects brain development. As a result of the studies carried out in recent years, it is discussed to lower the age limit for drinking alcohol to 21."
Behavioral education should be given from primary school
Drawing attention to early education on addiction, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said, "Our young people need to learn about addiction and the effects of substances and the risks that may arise. Self-control, self-confidence and responsibility education should be a part of education from primary school so that problems with self-control, braking and "saying no" do not arise in later years. If these trainings are combined with values, good foundations will be laid for later years. For example, when we provide psychoeducation on addiction in high school, if there are deficiencies in basic values, it is not possible for addiction prevention to be successful. It is very important to convey accurate and clear information about addiction. Our age is the age of the internet, all kinds of information is easily accessible. For this reason, incorrect and incomplete information given to scare them about addiction will trivialize the trainings in the eyes of adolescents."
Attention to family communication
Pointing to the importance of communication within the family, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said, "The relationship established with the family from the early stages is very important for healthy relationships with friends and other social environment. According to the researches; it was found that young people who had dinner with their families in the evening were less likely to get addiction. This picture actually gives us more information than it seems. A relationship with mutual communication and interaction will have a protective effect against all kinds of risky behaviors. However, if families use the time spent together as a time of accountability rather than understanding the adolescent, communication starts to suffer and the adolescent gradually starts to move away from the family. If there are criticisms such as "What did you do, how many marks did you get in the exam, why did you get a bad grade, why don't you study", the desire to share will decrease. If they are going to have such a conversation, it is necessary not to talk about it then and there, but to talk about it later. It will be useful for families to focus on the moment and aim to enjoy that moment together."
Families should not panic
Emphasizing that families who suspect substance use should not panic, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan said, "If families suspect that their children are smoking, they should take their children and talk to them. They should clearly convey that they are worried that he/she is using cigarettes, ask whether these concerns are true and convey that they want to help him/her in this regard. In such situations, the I language gains importance rather than the you language. It is very important to give the correct message "I am worried about you", to have an informative conversation rather than a forbidding attitude, to draw clear boundaries and to implement them. The important thing is that the adolescent's ability to perceive right and wrong and to behave appropriately will be protective against risky behaviors. In conclusion, parents should allow their children to see themselves as a separate individual and become independent. The best thing that parents can do in this situation is to get to know their children and then their circle of friends, spend more time with their children and establish a healthy relationship of trust. Parents should make their children feel that they are there for them during adolescence, they should behave in ways that will reinforce their self-confidence, they should set an example, and they should show love, respect, care and support. Parents should not judge or belittle their children during this period. Healthy relationships to be established between adolescents and parents during this period will help the adolescent to stand on his/her own feet in his/her future life."
