ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the developmental period of adolescence and particular challenges relating to grief and addictions for this age group. Prevalence estimates for substance use disorders for 12- to 17-year-olds are highlighted, and the etiology of addiction is explored. There is a focus on traumatic experiences and the connection of these early life experience with the development of addiction. Two theories that explore this connection are the self-medicating hypothesis and the neurobiological perspective, which are explored in the chapter. Treatment considerations are presented to inform the reader on how to integrate the knowledge presented in the chapter into their clinical work. Interventions are proposed to help individual clients grief the traumatic event(s) and/or the loss of an addiction when they begin a recovery program. A clinical dialogue is included to highlight the exploration of trauma, addiction, and grief with adolescents.
