The Family's Role in the Crisis of Adolescent Substance Use and Internet Addiction: From Denial to Recovery with a Systemic Approach: A Review

This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to argue that adolescent addiction, whether to substances or the internet, is a family-system crisis rather than an individual failing. Drawing on Choate's qualitative research, it outlines the parental journey from initial denial and misinterpretation of early signs, through a desperate search for causes and exhausting coping strategies, to the eventual pursuit of treatment. This process is fraught with emotional turmoil, stigma, and significant systemic barriers to accessing care. Quantitative data from da Silva (۲۰۲۱) statistically confirms that family dynamics specifically parental unawareness, conflict, and existing substance use are significant risk factors for adolescent addiction. This perspective is reinforced by Chakraborty's ۲۰۲۴ study on internet addiction, which found that the quality of family connection is a more critical protective factor than mere physical presence. The conclusion underscores the necessity for family-centered interventions that provide parents with education, emotional support, and improved access to treatment. Ultimately, empowering the entire family unit is presented as the most effective strategy for supporting adolescent recovery and breaking cycles of addictive behavior.

کلیدواژه ها:

Adolescent Substance Use ، Family Dynamics ، Parental Involvement