Substance abuse affects the body of a teen and an adult differently. A teen's body is still developing. In fact, adolescence is the second largest growth period of the human life cycle. Cells are dividing and multiplying through the process of mitosis. A cell that is addicted or damaged creates two such cells when it divides.
Adults tend to get involved in substance abuse to alter their mood and feel better.
Adults typically start out drinking alcohol, progressing to marijuana and other drugs until they settle on one or two drugs of choice. Much of a substance abuser's time and attention is focused on usage, resulting in arrested social, cognitive and emotional development. Group treatment and a 12-step program have proved to be valuable components of recovery. As teens struggle to separate from parents and form their own identity, their need for acceptance and belonging is met by peers. Teens are more likely to be honest with peers.