青少年吸毒問題
What makes adolescents so vulnerable to developing addictions to substances like nicotine, alcohol, and drugs? Teens, in particular, seem more vulnerable than any other age group. Is it a result of peer pressure? Of wanting to fit in?
是什么使得青少年很容易對像尼古丁，酒精和毒品這些物品上癮？特別是青少年，他們似乎比其它任一年齡人群更脆弱。是來自同輩的壓力嗎？想融入群體？
In a word, no. Socio-cultural elements do play their role. However, scientists who analyzed the results of many studies on this subject believe the susceptibility of adolescents to substance addiction also has to do with the state of development of a particular region in adolescent brains. They interpreted that the region of the brain that monitors impulse and motivation isn’t fully formed in adolescence. This area of the brain experiences a lot of activity and change during adolescence. It’s due to this brain region’s hyperactivity and quick-fire change that adolescents are more likely than children and adults to want to try out new experiences, to be impulsive and take risks.
總之，不是。社會文化因素是主要原因。科學家分析了許多相關研究調查，他們認為青少年對物質成癮的敏感性與大腦內部某特定區域的發展情況有關。他們解釋說大腦控制神經沖動和動機的區域是在青春期形成的。大腦的這個部分在青春期經歷許多活動并改變。由于青春期大腦的這個部分的極度活躍比小孩和速射大人都大，所以青少年更想嘗試新的體驗，更沖動和更愿意冒險。
That may not sound so bad in theory, but the real downside about this region of the brain is that along with adolescent inhibitions may come experimentation and abuse of addictive drugs. In addition, because of the immature state of this brain region, adolescents may be quicker to succumb to nicotine, alcohol, and drug addiction, and to do so with greater permanency.
這聽起來可能不是那么糟糕，但這個區域的真正缺點是隨著青少年情緒壓抑，對成癮藥物的嘗試和濫用也會隨之而來。此外，由于這個大腦區域的不成熟狀態，青少年也許會更快地屈服于尼古丁，酒精和毒品，并且更具有永久性。
What can be done about it? This suggests that substance use disorders among adolescents are actually neurodevelopmental disorders as well; researchers and doctors may learn more about how to treat these patients by focusing on the particularities of the adolescent period and on the brain in that period.
我們可以做些什么呢？這表明，青少年的物質使用障礙實際上也是神經發育障礙；研究人員和醫生可以通過關注青年期的青少年和那個時期大腦的特質，了解更多關于治療這些病人的信息。
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