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Factors That Influece Teenagers to Substance Abuse

According to the criteria set down by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the pattern of using or abusing a substance to get intoxicated or to offset the effects of withdrawal of a drug or negative affects on lifestyle indicates a dependency on them. Some teenagers are more prone to be exposed to risk factors which can cause them to become seriously involved with drugs or alcohol. Knowing these risk factors can enable a person to know how to avoid them and help save teenagers from substance abuse.

  1. Alcoholic Family Members

    • If a teenager's parents or their siblings are alcoholics or drug users, this puts them at greater risk for substance abuse. Dependency on such substances not only plays into their social upbringing, but also plays a part in terms of genetics. Male children are twice as likely to become dependent on drugs or alcohol, if they are offspring of alcoholic parents. This remains true even if they are brought up by non-alcoholic foster parents. Since parents serve as role models for children, the views and attitudes of the parents towards such substances will be transferred to their children.

    Anti-Social Behavior

    • If a teenager has a history of anti-social, criminal or violent behavior, they are automatically predisposed to drug and alcohol abuse in comparison to those individuals who do not exhibit such a history.

    Sexual, Physical or Mental Abuse

    • Parental abuse, whether it be sexual, physical or mental are associated with higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse in teenagers. Physical discipline, lack of attention and excessive criticism are all associated are associated with violent behavior and emotional instability in teens which in turn leads to an increased risk of substance abuse.

    Academic Achievement

    • Teenagers who have learning difficulties or difficulty achieving success in academics are far more likely to start regularly smoking, drinking and using drugs than their successful counterparts. Teenagers who are interested in their academic future are far more likely not to be involved in substance abuse.

    Early Start

    • Studies have shown that teenagers can start abusing substances from the ages of 12 or 13 years of age. Once they grow up, their substance abuse levels can increase to a point where they are heavy drug and alcohol users.

    Rebellion

    • Teenagers who do not feel a strong connection with their family, traditional values, religious and ethical institutions strongly rebel against any form of authority. They do this due to feeling at odds with the values within their community. The rebellion against authoritative figures can be indicators of anti-social or violent behaviors which can lead to substance abuse.

    Peer Pressure

    • Teenagers can start using such substances at the behest of their friends, classmates or siblings. This initiation is usually done so that the person can support their own substance abuse habits.

    Poverty

    • Substance abuse is more prevalent among teenagers who are socioeconomically poor.

    Stress

    • According to research teenagers are at more risk for substance abuse during key moments in their lives when they are undergoing a huge transition. These transitions include the times when they experience new academic and social environments. This can range from high school to college. It is in middle school that most teenagers are exposed to drugs and alcohol for the first time.

    Thrill-Seeking Behavior

    • Teenagers can abuse substances, in order to gain respect amongst their peers or the associated high feeling.

    Risk Perception

    • Whether due to mental mindset, i.e, considering themselves invincible or misinformation, teenagers can perceive the inherent risks and dangers of certain substances to be low when they're taking them.

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