听力文摘：青少年吸毒问题（在线收听）

Adolescent Addictions

青少年吸毒问题

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对像尼古丁，酒精和毒品这些物品上瘾？特别是青少年，他们似乎比其它任一年龄人群更脆弱。是来自同辈的压力吗？想融入群体？

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.

总之，不是。社会文化因素是主要原因。科学家分析了许多相关研究调查，他们认为青少年对物质成瘾的敏感性与大脑内部某特定区域的发展情况有关。他们解释说大脑控制神经冲动和动机的区域是在青春期形成的。大脑的这个部分在青春期经历许多活动并改变。由于青春期大脑的这个部分的极度活跃比小孩和速射大人都大，所以青少年更想尝试新的体验，更冲动和更愿意冒险。

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.

这听起来可能不是那么糟糕，但这个区域的真正缺点是随着青少年情绪压抑，对成瘾药物的尝试和滥用也会随之而来。此外，由于这个大脑区域的不成熟状态，青少年也许会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.

我们可以做些什么呢？这表明，青少年的物质使用障碍实际上也是神经发育障碍；研究人员和医生可以通过关注青年期的青少年和那个时期大脑的特质，了解更多关于治疗这些病人的信息。