What causes teen substance abuse?

By admin · Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Most of us have our drug of choice whether it is wine, cigarettes or some other habit that makes us feel better. Recreational drugs are now more widespread than ever but substance abuse is nothing new. From the Oracle at Delphi to the metaphysical poets and beyond there are many documented occasions of the use of mind-altering substances to enhance awareness or alter consciousness.

Substance abuse is often used to describe an activity which can bring harm in some way either by putting a user at risk from being in trouble with the law or, more worryingly, presenting a threat to health and well-being.

Part of being a teen is about being curious, adventurous and non-conformist. Wanting to try new experiences for themselves has to be linked to teen substance abuse. When drug users are asked how they got hooked they will often say that they wanted to see what it was like. Teenagers may often be in denial, refusing to admit that drug addiction can ever become a problem for them. They believe that they will be able to control the drug rather than it gaining control over them. Sadly, many are proved to be wrong.

Substance abuse in teens can begin with smoking cigarettes, often underage and illicitly. Young people are always attracted to those slightly older than they are and want to show their affiliation to the group by fitting in and partaking in the same behaviours. Smoking cigarettes can lead to smoking cannabis and the use of other substances.

It is, however, alcohol that is regarded as the most worrying of teen substance abuses. In the home alcohol is often the preferred and most widespread drug of choice but is sometimes not even regarded as such. Young people may have been offered alcohol at home, seeing their parents socialising with wine, beer and spirits. Teens often emulate their parents by continuing this social behaviour with their own friends. Recent research suggests that binge drinking has become a problem amongst teenagers and related health issues such as liver damage as well as close links to teenage pregnancy are of particular concern.

Abuse of harder substances such as cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, ecstasy and crack is less prevalent amongst teens but where it does occur may present even greater risks. Using a cocktail of drugs, taking substances which have been made illegally with no regulation about content is dangerous. The world of drugs is also associated with crime as it belongs on the other side of the law. There is always the chance that sustance abuse will escalate to use of these harder drugs and lives can be ruined as problems associated with drugs grow.

Amongst teenagers there is a strong desire to fit in and belong to their peer group. Teens want to do what their friends do so perhaps one of the key causes of teen substance abuse is related to the company they keep along with with being curious about new experiences.

Teens have to make their own choices and decisions about their life. It is important that they receive the education and guidance which will allow them to make informed choices. As human beings we grow up as part of the era and culture into which we are born but when making considered decisions common sense will hopefully prevail and even though we may experiment with the temptations on offer most of us will survive to tell the tale.

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