Adolescent Development and Susceptibility to Addiction

Adolescence is a time of tremendous physical, emotional, and cognitive growth for children who are transiting to adulthood. The physical development of the adolescent brain is marked by the peak increase of grey matter volume in the prefrontal cortex during the adolescent years (Arain et al., 2013). It then begins to decrease and continues throughout the twenties until it fully develops to full neurodevelopmental maturity. As such, the prefrontal cortex, which is the region of the brain that regulates impulses, is not fully developed (Arain et al., 2013). The prefrontal cortex also hosts the social brain in its medial region. This is the part tasked with managing adolescents' social tasks that require thinking and understanding of social emotions and thinking of other people's intentions (Arain et al., 2013). Since this region is still developing, the typical adolescent behavior is prone to occur since they are not fully equipped to make sound social decisions.

One of the main changes that occur in adolescents is that they become more reasonable and can make rational choices for themselves. Although some will make good decisions, some will make bad decisions, such as choosing to indulge in underage drinking. The teenage brain is more susceptible to addiction and the risky behaviors often associated with underage drinking. Adolescents' limbic system and their prefrontal cortex are two regions of the teenage brain that can account for these risky behaviors (Arain et al., 2013). During the stage of adolescence, the limbic system is more sensitive to the rewarding feeling that people get when they indulge in risky behaviors with their peers. Moreover, the prefrontal cortex of the adolescent is still developing; therefore, it is not capable of stopping them from acting on impulse or involving in risky activities (Arain et al., 2013).

Reference 

Arain, M., Haque, M., Johal, L., Mathur, P., Nel, W., Rais, A., ... & Sharma, S. (2013). Maturation of the adolescent brain. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 9, 449. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621648/