In regards to cognitive development, stressful circumstances, including familial or social tensions and maltreatment, that occur during critical periods of development in life, can cause an increased reactivity to addictive substances and thus heighten the potential risk for a substance use disorder to occur. The chemical make-up and anatomy of a child’s brain is honestly one of the largest factors of addiction. A child’s underdeveloped brain plays an increased role in addiction. They are more prone to initiate and be involved in risk taking, due to their heightened curiosity, and limited behavior control. This trait can explain the proclivity towards risky behavior, such as substance use, that has been repeatedly shown to exist among adolescents. 

Circling back to a child and their mother, familial risk factors play an important role in the root of adolescent drug addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 25% of American children grow up in households where substance abuse is present. Children are approximately twice as likely to develop addictive disorders themselves, in homes where one or more adults abuse alcohol or drugs (according to Current Drug Abuse Reviews). Keep in mind, substance abuse is heavily linked to mental health issues. Substance abuse and Addictive disorders is one diagnosis but many others can cause or lead to addiction. Such as impulse control, depression, anxiety…etc. 

Individuals who fall victim to initiating in illegal substances, often struggle to quit due to long-term usage, dependence, and most importantly the stigma and discrimination surrounding addiction. Stigmatization of drug addicts may be because of inaccurate to unfounded thoughts such as: they are dangerous, incapable of managing treatment, or even at fault for their own condition. This creates barriers to treatment and can even make a person’s condition worse. Those who struggle with a severe substance use disorder often make compulsive and wrong decisions that then criminalizes them. Drugs affect the brain so when there is a chemical imbalance and changes in the brain, people’s behaviors become altered and their logical thinking becomes skewed. They tend to have more aggression, lie or steal to support their drug problem, or themselves because of the lack of money they now have due to drugs, or during withdrawal. This alienates them, thus pushing them even further from friends, family and society, therefore creating room to reinforce negative stereotypes surrounding substance abuse. Regarding stereotypes, commonly used terms such as “junkie” or “addict” feed into the negative biases and dehumanize people, which then pushes them away from recovery. One study mentioned a person who is a “substance abuser” is more worthy of blame and punishment than someone described as “having a substance use disorder”. Even in our own government unions that are intended for our public safety can have a skewed view of addiction. When drug addiction is treated as a criminal activity these stereotypes are almost validated, because people are then able to say they are dangerous and a risk to our society. An important example of what occurs in our United States judicial system, where punitive policies disproportionately affect black people and overall communities of color, who unfortunately enough are more likely to be arrested for illicit drug use. It is found that in 2018, black people were nearly four times more likely to be arrested for the possession of cannabis than white people, even though both groups use the drug at a similar rate.

In reference to social analysis the most important key takeaway is awareness and prevention. The youth are the future, therefore it is incredibly important to utilize them to almost prevent a negative future. The issue of substance abuse has a complex web of challenges and components that affect an individual's health and societal well-being; from parental exposure of substances pre-birth, mental health issues, social dynamics, socio economic stability and legal justice. Stressing the importance of destigmatizing addiction, recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of economic status and primarily addressing the issue and appraising early prevention leads to change. Overall as a society we should become more aware of the issue that is destroying many people's lives.