Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Community building plays an essential role in relapse prevention, as well as, substance use prevention for our youth. This paper specifically describes the systemic roles and impacts of lack of community on adolescent substance use. Substance use does not discriminate. It impacts everyone without prejudice. Our understanding of the current narrative is essential in breaking the cycle of addiction for our young people. The study is rooted in Dr. Treiber’s research on developmental identity in adolescents with substance use disorders. The sampling of young women between the ages of 15 and 19 provided an understanding that modeling set by community and the lack of understanding between generations directly influenced and encouraged isolation and provided the conditions that supported and reinforced continual substance use. We discuss the need to talk about taboo topics to break barriers and allow reconnection to community and self. Reconnection is what transforms the shattered self to the recovered self. Since youth do not exist in a vacuum, community roles must be addressed. This paper provides a theoretical model of the lived experience of youth, as well as, practical take-aways for practice and leadership to address prevention and intervention at the appropriate developmental level and with a positive identity approach.