While I may not be an expert studying at Stanford, I did study Psychology as an undergrad at W&M and I can confidently say the most brilliant of brilliant researchers agree, after years of careful studies, that the human brain is not fully developed til' at least 27.

This means the prefrontal cortex, aka the executive center, responsible for exercising judgement and self control/reasoning, take longer to develop and mature.

Holding space for this fact allows others to understand addiction hijacks this system and when teens/kids are exposed to drugs at an early age, it can lead to a lifetime of helpless hamster wheel patterns....

For some people, one hit of weed or sip of alcohol isn't a big deal-just a fun time...a way to unwind.

For others, it triggers a cataclysmic euphoric effect that overpowers the limbic system and renders the individual helpless and completely unable to control themselves...

Making it illegal doesn't help, it only entices people to further pursue the illicit activity.

Being honest, forthright, allowing for resources to be available (including treatment centers that don't ignore extremely ill patients to the point of death/homelessness) are all part of the solution...

So tired of hearing people say addiction is merely a selfish character trait, it's more than that, and it truly is the most cruel and evil of all diseases.

It is a spiritual affliction akin to possession, and it makes once kind people the worst versions of themselves that only professionals and loved ones can be trusted to tolerate....

It alienates people from their "village" and that is a problem we must all try to make bandwidth to care about as the consequences create a ripple effect that transcend and permeate generational barriers.