A group of seniors in high school had to respond to a question about what would be their top priorities if they were stranded on a deserted island. Their good-natured smiling response was "Party hard!" Were these troubled kids from a neglectful home? No, they were happy, healthy teens who were loved by their parents, who received good grades, and were active in athletics.
So what does cause teens to become involved in substance abuse? Although there are many factors, these are a few observations about why teens turn to alcohol and even drugs.
Peer Pressure.
Peer Pressure is the number one reason teens turn to substances. Acceptance by peers is one of the most important things in the lives of many teens. Even the best familes can struggle with the influence of peers on a teen. The perception of being cool and popular outweighs common sense and teens give in to peer pressure even knowing full well that it is not something that their parents will approve.
Inability to say No
A continuing aspect of peer pressure is simply the inability to say "No". Teens often lack the experience and knowledge to avoid a situation. They often do not realize that they can say "No". The fear is that by refusing drugs or alcohol there will be a backlash that will lead to loss of friendship, popularity, acceptance and may lead to ridicule. Teens simply lack the life experience and thusly the ability to turn down these potentially dangerous problems. It takes a lot of courage to tell others "No".
Risky Behavior
Teens by nature take risks. According to Lynn E. Ponton, M.D. of www.middleweb.com teens take risks as part of their discovery of identity and some risk taking behaviors are more accelerated than others. That means that a teen could be a risk taker on the football field or it could be the opportunity to party. Taking risks is part of development. As much as possible parents should provide appropriate risk taking opportunities that may reduce the desire to do so with alcohol or drugs.
Having Fun
As much as people may want to psycho-analyze teens, much of it boils down to their wanting to have fun. It is enjoyable to socialize with friends and get a little silly. It seems innocent enough to the teens in the beginning, but for some teens this good time can lead to addictions that may eventually lead to consequences down the road.
Avoidance
For a certain segment of teens substance abuse is an avoidance technique. It could be to avoid unpleasant situations at home, family squabbles, divorces, sibling issues, or issues at school. The teen turns to a substance to numb the pain of whatever troublesome problem is affecting them at the time. When they turn to alcohol or drugs, for a little while they do not have to face these issues. Unfortunately avoiding the issue is only a temporary fix and eventually they need to face the problems.
Rebellion
For other teens it is an opportunity to break the rules. It can be a rebellion against parents who may be perceived as overly protective or severe. For some teens they look for ways to hurt their families for a perceived slight. Pushing the limits and experimenting with drugs and alcohol is one area they feel they have some measure of control.
Poor Role Models
Poor examples. Unfortunately many teens have adult figures in their lives that are poor role models. The teen may have watched for years as adults coped with problems by turning to substances. It may be a simple as drinking beer for the big football game or celebrating that it is a Friday night. Watching adults celebrate these occasions with alcohol gives a teen the desire to turn to alcohol too. There are also many adult figures that are themselves addicted to substances and even introduce the teens to substance abuse. It is these relationships to role models that can lead to bring one of the most lasting impacts on a teen.
Lack of Supervision
Too may nights at home alone while parents work or attend their social commitments can leave an empty hole in the life of a teen. The teen can then look to drugs or alcohol to fill that void. As well, parents aren't there maintaining a curfew, checking up on the teen, or staying up to make sure they are home and sober. The teen then is left to his or her own devices to set limits except that a teen's brain doesn't usually have the maturity to set limitations. As a result the teen has no limitations and chooses to experiment with substances.
Lack of Education
The possible consequences of drug or alcohol abuse doesn't seem to a teen like it can happen to them. Teens do not see that these problems can affect them. Teens need to be educated so they see the consequences of drinking and driving or taking meth. They need to be aware about what the costs can be with arrests for using substances that include raising insurance rates and fines. Awareness of health risks as well as the risks to their futures must be made clear to the teens. The belief is that it will never happen to them. It needs to be clear that it can happen to them.
Addiction
What may begin as a simple offer to try a substance and an inability to say no, may lead to a near immediate addiction. At that point, it doesn't matter if the teen wants to stop the substance abuse, the physical need for the substance may be too strong and the teen can't handle the addiction. It is then an effort to hide the problem rather than getting help immediately.
Studies prove that the longer teens wait to indulge in alcoholic beverages the less likely it will be that they become alcoholics. The longer society can keep teens from indulging in substances the greater the likelihood that these teens will grow up to avoid the brutal and addictive cycle of substance abuse.