30 word repky to discussion listed below

I picked adolescence as the most significant period of time in my
life. The reason being, it was the hardest and most confusing time for
me. Psychologically, my brain is still developing which I also learned
from chapter 4, that during this stage, heavy
drinking most likely slowed my brain development(Beckman,
2004; Crews et al., 2007). Where socially I was trying to find my
“place.” Who was I? I remember entering puberty, and high school, and
being completely
terrified of what other’s thought of me. I had a sense of self, but my
environment would often change who I was. Fitting in, that was the
hardest part of all. From a cultural standpoint, somehow the brand of my
clothing determined if I was “cool” or not. I
think being female also plays it role. Looking at the gender
development in chapter 5, it explains that girls are more likely to
experience depression and anxiety (Myers, D. 2014). I exhibited signs of
depression at a very young age, which I believe become
intensified in adolescence. This is when I turned to alcohol as a form
of self- medication.

As I continue to age, I can see how moments in my adolescence affect
me to this day. I do feel as though I had a harder time developing
psychologically due to substance abuse. My behavior has been altered
since becoming sober, and I feel like I need constant
approval from my parent’s, still, at the age of 28. Almost like asking
them if it is alright if my husband and I go to a movie, for example. I
am able to make decisions for myself without asking for permission, but I
do not feel that way at times. Insecurity
has followed me since my adolescence, and after reading these chapter’s
it has showed me why.