Causes of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Adolescence is a period of rapid physical, emotional, and mental development. During this stage, some teenagers may experiment with drugs or alcohol due to curiosity, peer pressure, stress, family problems, or a lack of awareness about their harmful effects. Easy access to these substances and negative social influences can also increase the risk. The developing brain can be particularly vulnerable to the effects of early substance use, which

By Kristine Burneko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC Introduction Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines the tridirectional interaction of psychological processes, neurological activity, and immune function. Within clinical practice, PNI provides the mechanistic foundation for mind–body medicine, an evidence-based approach that complements conventional biomedical care by enhancing psychophysiological regulation and response to concurrent treatmen