With relation to juvenile addictions and treatments, adult methodologies can be applied; however, other factoring elements are associated. Juveniles, while they are supported by parental or guardian means, housing, food, and transportation are in general terms negated factors. Juveniles are faced with social, economic, and educational factors, which can ultimately lead to addictive substances. Secondly, there are differing methods of treatment for adolescent addictions, tough love, stepped programs, residential, outpatient, and alternative treatments.

The term juvenile is more closely associated with delinquency. Whereby, an adolescent who is physiologically immature and portrays elements of antisocial behavior disorders would be deemed or considered a juvenile delinquent. As defined by Bartol and Bartol in their text, Criminal Behavior, a juvenile delinquent is defined as, “an imprecise, nebulous, social, clinical and legal label for a wide variety law – and norm violating behaviors," (Bartol & Bartol, 2005).

A child with an addiction, with respect to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, V71.02 states, “this category can be used when the focus of clinical attention is antisocial behavior in a child or adolescent that is not due to mental disorder," (DSM-IV-TR, 2005).

Not to provide social justification for ingesting substances deemed addictive, however, in view of the research this learner’s has determined domestic issues, gangs, and/or social environment are prevailing factors to adolescents addiction. In providing issues related to the domestic issues, causation is related to a parent(s) or guardian(s) who regularly abuse addictive substances and when domestic violence is prevalent. Similar to one treatment of creating an alternative to using additive substances, children may require an escape. As expressed by Wiznitzer and Findling, “Children and adolescents are surrounded by life stressors and, usually, develop adequate coping strategies," however, one applied method maybe chemical dependency, (Wiznitzer & Findling, 2003).

While domestic issues vary from home to home, adolescent children may deem themselves the vocal point. Specifically, when related to domestic violence in the home, children remain uncertain and suffer from “guilt, anger, depression, anxiety, shyness, nightmares, aggression, disruptiveness, problems getting along with others and acting out," (Berry, 2000).

Drug dependent parents do apply additional burdens to children, which can later have impact on the child and probable addictions. Specifically looking at women with addictions, Dania Kalling Knight and Gail Wallace wrote an article titled, “Where are the children? An examination of children's living arrangements when mothers enter residential drug treatment," (Knight & Wallace, 2003).

With mothers receiving the essential care from First Choice did have greater successes. Children are commonly placed with relatives or in foster care, when parent(s) receive drug rehabilitation. Being a foster parent, myself, while children do receive equal standing within the house equal to my biological children, these children also realize their stay is short-term and mandated by the courts. This learner in previous conversation with a child placed under similar circumstances recalls a conversation. In the conversation the child while understanding the current housing situation was more sufficient than receiving with their biological parents, the fact remained, we [the foster parents] are not biological parents. Therefore some children act out physically and emotionally, creating additional burdens. In review of the study collected from First Choice, the authors did convey positive results; “findings document an increase in child coresidency from admission to follow-up. Women who entered treatment with all children or who were reunited with children previously in others' care at admission were over five times more likely to coreside with all children at follow-up. At follow-up, mothers who reported complete coresidence were more likely to be 30 years old or younger, live independently, and have fewer than two parenting challenges" (Knight & Wallace, 2003).

With successes similar to First Choice, from this learner’s perspective, the overall addictive tendencies from adolescent children should ultimately decrease. Children introduced to addictive substances, by a parent or guardian may come to a realization of associating age or adulthood to becoming addictive. The choices of children do vary and recognizably, becoming addictive is not always the involvement of a parent.

Adolescents or juveniles connected with a gang are more likely to be involved with crime, but with drug use and delivery. In study conducted by Cheryl Maxson and Malcolm Klein, they reviewed arrest patters among gang members. In their findings, juveniles were more apt to be arrested for drug sales than violent behaviors, (Walker-Barnes and Mason, (2004).

While gangs are only one element of a social environment, gangs are continuing to rise in numbers, within metropolitan areas like cities and towns. Schools and peer pressures from other students play a vital role in the ingesting of addictive substances. In this illustration, children are more likely to engage with peers with respect to addictive substances. As expressed by Bartol and Bartol, peers and drug use is particularly strong in our world today. Continuing, Bartol and Bartol state, while addictive substances are not the primary focus of friends, ingesting addictive substances with friends provides a feeling of being safe and protected, (Bartol & Bartol, 2005).

With street gangs becoming more developed, not only with in the United States, but globally added violence, delinquency, and criminal activities including assault, drugs are prevalent. In an article published in the May 2005, issue of Drug and Alcohol Today, an anonymous author stated, “seventeen was the most common age for trafficking, with the youngest being 13 years old. Though boys were most likely to be apprehended more young women/girls were caught for smuggling Class ‘A’ drugs. The only two cases for heroin smuggling were both girls, (Anonymous, 2005).

To support this learner’s findings on adolescent gang involvement and addictive substances, this learner located an article referring to heroin and youth gangs. While there was much supporting documentation the articled focused on youth gangs with large community drug markets. The specifics to the article lead to an adverse consequence, both to the gang members and individuals residing within the community. Additionally the article describes, “heroin use and dealing among Mexican Americans within the context of San Antonio, Texas. Discussed are the gang's initial prohibition of heroin use and its enforcement through a "no heroin rule." As well, we discuss the emergence of a restructured San Antonio heroin market dominated by an adult prison gang, (Valdez, 2005).

Economically, through opportunity costs, individuals make a choice, hoping the primary choice taken has the greatest outcome. While decisions may or may not be the wisest choice, in this case with respect to addictive substances, one’s own needs outweigh the needs of others. From this learners understanding, drugs for example are bought, cut or diluted and sold as an original product. By diluting the original substance, an individual can make an easy profit. However, if the individual is also addicted to the substance being diluted, the profit could less than be ingested.

Economics has an affect on all segments of the geographical population. Adolescent youths can have an even greater impact when attempting to locate a job. As expressed by Holzer in an Armonk article, he emphasizes how unemployment is a foundation from the lack of skill sets, divided families and isolation of communities. While understandably, the factor of unemployment is not a cause to addiction, unemployment and incarceration of family members can be an enabler.
The research reviewed the conceptual framework and losses associated with the incarceration of a 56 differing parents or caregivers. The authors interviewed each participant “gathering information about family, health, economics, and the legal aspects of the inmate's situation." (Arditti, Lambert-Shute, & Joest, 2003).

The results of the survey found most families in the survey were near or at a fiscal low. After the incarceration of the primary caretaker, the economic results were even greater, thus leading family members to added risks behaviorally. With most risks resulting in the taking and distribution of illegal addictive substances. While the eventual burden of an individual’s incarceration should ultimately be placed solely on the individual incarcerated, added family burdens are created. “Other problems believed to be created by incarceration included parenting strain, emotional stress, and concerns about children's loss of involvement with their incarcerated parent." (Arditti, Lambert-Shute, & Joest, 2003).

In preventing adolescent addictive and/or criminal behaviors, some parents apply a primitive strategy to create a greater positive experience to assist or aid the child. Developmental skills and interests, including school work, special talents, added special classes and programs are only suggestions to alternatively boost an adolescents morale and motivate the ideology of not using addictive substances. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to adapt preventive strategies to minimize behavioral risk. These include, close monitoring, curfews, and involvement in protective activities similar to church groups, (Glen, Eccles, Ardelt, & Lord, 1995).

Adolescents should be encouraged by parents and guardians to continue their individual education, even in times of crisis, related to behavioral or addiction issues. Lacking education may bring rise and to a greater probability to unemployment. While lack of skill sets and education may be predominant factors in an individual’s job candidacy, negative elements or knowledge will be portrayed. An example of a poor learning experience may come from movies like “Scarface," “The Big Chill," “Hollywood High," “Goodfellas," “Trainspotting" and many more, they each convey a message where drug use and wealth are visibly one and the same. With no direct reference, this learner recalls how Al Pacino’s character grew wealthy and self educated himself socially through violence and excessive sales of cocaine. In conveying a message of this nature cinematically, the probability of an uneducated individual resorting to addictive substances would be high.

Addictive Substances

In defining addictive substances for the purpose of this project, addictive substances are defined as intoxicants where the presence of elements which provide a euphoric sense when used and physical and mental withdrawals are present, when substance is near or not within ones anatomy. While there are addictive tendencies associated with most commonalities such as Internet, eating, and any act compulsively or spontaneously needed, only the following elements are being viewed and described, as intoxicants are Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiates, Phencyclidine, and Alcohol, Figure 1.

Amphetamines are synthetic drugs, which stimulates the action of the central nervous system. Amphetamines are available legally by prescription, in providing treatment for obesity, fatigue, and depression. Currently, amphetamines are restricted to treating brain dysfunctions in children and narcolepsy. Each is a rare disorder, in which an individual is overcome by sudden and uncontrollable attacks of deep sleep, Appendix A, (www.drugfree.org, 2006).

Cocaine comes in two primary forms, powder and crystallized rocks. Cocaine constricts blood vessels, dilates pupils, and increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Cocaine produces an immediate euphoric affect reducing fatigue and increased energy. With continued exposure to cocaine, while the absorptions remain consistent the euphoric effects diminish requiring extended or added dosages. Long-term exposure can make an individual more aggressive and paranoid.

Marijuana is cultivated weed, which when smoked or eaten produces a stimulating effect. Exposure to marijuana, in the short term, gives the individual user a distorted perception of clarity. While, medical finding found use of marijuana destroys brain cells, and extended exposure will make problem solving difficult, loss of motor skills or coordination, increased heart rates and anxiety, (www.drugfree.org, 2006).

Opiates are pain relievers, which can be orally swallowed in pill form or smoked. Opiates give users a feeling of well-being and calm to a point of unconsciousness. The other associated depressant, providing similar effects is alcohol. Continued exposure can make individuals nauseous, confused, and constipated. Both opiates and alcohol are depressants, and with increased use may bring rise to the risks of depression. While both also cause physical damage, excessive use to alcohol can cause severe liver problems.

Phencyclidine or PCP is a crystalline white powder, which is water-soluble. While PCP can be taken with water, PCP is also snorted and smoked. Common effects associated with use of PCP include, numbness of extremities, poor muscle coordination, sweating, and a flushed feeling. With extended use, PCP causes hallucinations, seizures and a probable comatose state. Other associated ailments include being nauseous, vomiting, blurred visions, drooling, and dizziness. Individuals also may convey a behavior similar to schizophrenia or other psychological effects.