How does addiction affect teens?

Addiction is a developing problem for all age groups. But for teens this is a little bit more serious than it is for adults since the brain and body is still evolving and growing.

Addictions make it harder to focus, remember things. It affects our brains decision mechanism, it prevents us to make good decisions. It can increase stress, anxiety. It can put you in a bad mood that may make you feel like it won’t ever go. This can lead you to depression.

While the body and brain is still developing, especially the parts that control judgement and self-control; addiction can affect how these parts work, making cravings stronger -sometimes even irresistible- and self-control weaker. This situation may make it harder to quit that addictment later in life.

It obviously affect teens academically. Since addictions make it harder to focus and make good decisions, it can lower our grades and give us hard times while trying to concentrate. It lowers our mood too, it can cause less motivation and missed classes. It prevents us to do something so we slowly start to lose interest in hobbies and goals.

It can cause more conflict relationships with our family and friends. Addiction takes us away from them and it weakens the bond between us. Addicted people usually start to isolate themselves and they pull themselves back from supportive people.

As we start to lose our motivation; it will become harder to get out of bed everyday, go to school, sign assignments. It will lower our energy an deven cause sleep problems. It can weaken our immune systems, making our body fight harder. Most definitely it will cause long-term health issues.

But we can always stay away from addiction or treat it. Here are some ways about how we can deal with addiction or avoid it:

We can get support from a trusted adult – it can be a teacher you like, or your parents - , if it is more serious we can get professional help. We should understand what triggers us and pushes us to these addictions. It can be stress, boredom, or sometimes emotions. Knowing our triggers helps us avoiding or managing it. Replacing the habit with something healtier like music, sports, art or writing can really help. You can also build coping systems to deal. Exercise, walk, stretch… Saying no to people or places that push harmful habit is also important. Limiting Access and saying no to these people and places will help with setting clear boundaries. You can focus on your future, goals or habşts that keep you occupied.

Eventually, be patient with yourself. Dealing with addiction isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being honest with yourself and not giving up. Everyone struggles, slips, and feels tempted sometimes, and that doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. What truly matters is choosing to keep going, asking for help when you need it, and believing that change is possible. With patience, support, and self-respect, even small steps can lead to a healthier and stronger future.