by Kevin Jeannette

Created on: October 29, 2008   Last Updated: March 12, 2012

There is no one specific reason for teen substance abuse nor is there a defined list you can reference that will tell you exactly why little Johnny has a cocaine habit. It is not something nice and neat and absolute that you can put in a box.

That crunching sound was your rose-colored glasses being sat on. Sorry.

Teen parents will disagree as they ready their familiar battle cry, "Peer pressure!"

Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news but somebody has to pull back the curtain. Peer pressure does not exist, at least not to the extent that a lot of parents think. It's an excuse that allows parents to absolve themselves of any feelings of guilt or responsibility for the decisions and actions of their children.

Most teenagers do not start using controlled substances out of an inherent desire to escape reality or a latent need to get high or drunk. They do so initially out of curiosity and the desire to experiment with the unknown. While some teenagers are genetically predisposed to being susceptible to substance abuse, others are not. Since not every teen becomes an alcoholic or drug addict because go they to parties on the weekend there must be other contributing factors.

Teen substance abuse is the result of multiple forces at work: fear, feelings of inadequacy, pressure and improper parenting, to name a few. Although these reasons are inextricably linked they do not work in conjunction with one another unequivocally nor are they the only contributing factors to teenage substance abuse.

Fear can be an empowering or life consuming emotion. Some use it as a motivator to meet challenges head on and overcome them. Others let it control them and their lives. Being a teenager is a scary time, whether they will admit it or not. Their lives are constantly changing. They're being introduced to new things on a daily basis and more is expected of them than at any point in their lives so far.

Many teenagers do not know how to handle their fears so they turn to drugs and alcohol. Getting drunk or high gives many a feeling of confidence, loss of inhibition or strength to do something they would never be able to while sober. It can make a timid teenager feel like they can take on the world by his or herself.

Feelings of inadequacy go hand in hand with fear. Teenagers are constantly bombarded with new and difficult social issues which can be very scary; being rejected by their crush, not fitting in with friends, not making the football team, disappointing their parents for

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>