Factors Involved in Adolescent Substance Abuse

Because adolescent substance abuse is a serious problem and found in many teens, studies have been conducted in order to discover what the factors leading to drug abuse are. It was found that adolescents’ opinions on drugs are very diverse and that they may vary from generation to generation. What they think about drugs is linked to how popular certain drugs are and to how frequent they are used.

The most important factors that influence adolescent substance abuse are: the level of risk that is perceived, the degree of social approval that is perceived and perceived availability. If taking a certain drug is perceived as posing high risks or as being little accepted, the probability for it to be used by adolescents is low. Teens will associate availability with social acceptance: if it is easy to obtain it must be approved socially. Therefore it will be more probable for it to be used.

The way perceptions are formed in the mind of a teen is difficult to understand. Where risks are concerned, they will have in mind several aspects: physical, emotional, social risks and risks posed on objectives. Physical risks include addiction and social risks involve conflicts with family and friends. Adolescents will also consider their objectives and how they might be affected by drug abuse. Important factors are also campaigns looking to prevent adolescent substance abuse and parental involvement.

Though teens may be informed about the risks, it is likely that they will first find out about what they may “gain” through adolescent substance abuse. Whether through media or in social groups, they will be told about states of euphoria, high energy or “numbness” that they may experience. A positive image may be formed in their mind because they are not given all the facts. It seems though that as teens are better informed on the risks posed by adolescent substance abuse the users’ percent decreases, but unfortunately very slowly.