Substances could play a huge role in an adolescent’s life. Some adolescents may show no interest in using any sort of substance, while some begin using substances at a very young age. Drug use and the use of alcohol could affect an adolescent’s achievement in school, relationships with peers and family, and employment. Dangerous factors are also associated with drug use. These factors include: future health problems, overdosing, violence, accidents, unprotected sex, and even STIs due to needle sharing. Drugs may also lead to tolerance, dependence, and eventually addiction.
Adolescents usually begin to engage in drug and alcohol use to adapt to their changing environments. These substances can help stressed adolescents relax and escape reality for some time. They may help adolescents form friendships and help shy individuals become more open. Some adolescents may take some drugs to stay up late and study or even to party. Peers, many song lyrics, movies, and television shows may influence adolescents to use drugs. This leads adolescents to become curious and many are likely to try a drug and continue to use it constantly.
The most widely used drug in adolescence is alcohol. Alcohol could also make adolescents feel more confident and open but it could have a serious effect on biological tissues. Alcohol impairs judgments, skilled performances, such as driving. Driving under the influence is extremely dangerous to the driver and others. Heavy drinkers are usually from unhappy homes, in which there is usually a lack of nurturance from the parents. Peer pressure is a strong predictor of alcohol abuse. Adolescents who engage in frequent alcohol and drug use are more likely to get in trouble with the law. An adolescent who is caught driving under the influence could be denied school loans when they attend college. This may impact the adolescents overall future especially if he or she cannot attend college because of the costs. Also, many adolescents die each year due to car accidents, in which substances were involved and many may face life-threatening diseases caused by substance abuse.
Substance Abuse and Adolescents is an issue Dr. Elsa M. Orlandini and experienced psychologists and therapists of Miami Psychology Group can help with. If you are an adolescent or a parent of an adolescent who has problems with substance use, please contact Dr. Elsa M. Orlandini and the licensed psychologists and therapists of Miami Psychology Group.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some common reasons adolescents start using substances?
- Adolescents may start using substances to adapt to changing environments, relieve stress, form friendships, and fit in with peers. Media influences, such as song lyrics and movies, can also play a role in encouraging substance use.
- How can substance abuse affect an adolescent's future?
- Substance abuse can lead to legal trouble, which may result in denial of school loans and impact college attendance. It can also lead to health issues, addiction, and in severe cases, life-threatening diseases and fatal accidents.
- What role does alcohol play in adolescent substance use?
- Alcohol is the most widely used drug among adolescents. It can increase confidence and social openness but also impairs judgment and motor skills, which can be hazardous, especially when driving.
- Why are adolescents from unhappy homes more prone to heavy drinking?
- Adolescents from unhappy homes may drink heavily due to a lack of parental nurturance, which can contribute to seeking comfort and confidence through alcohol use.
- How does peer pressure influence adolescent substance abuse?
- Peer pressure is a significant predictor of substance abuse in adolescents, often leading them to experiment with and continue using alcohol and drugs to fit in with their social circles.
Sources
- Adolescent Health: A Guide for Providers (hhs.texas.gov)Parent / Doctor (early adolescence). Parent / Patient / Doctor (mid ... For more information on screening adolescents for substance abuse, see the Texas.
- Dr. Christopher Joseph Hammond, MD, PhD - Baltimore, MD ... (profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org)He currently serves on the AACAP's Substance Abuse and Addictions Committee and the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry's Youth and Adolescent Addiction ...
- Tennessee Nonresidential Buprenorphine Treatment Guidelines (tn.gov)Oct 31, 2023 ... • Family therapy for adolescents: addresses adolescent substance use and related problem behaviors in relation to ... Title 71, relative to ...
- Faculty and Staff: Tara Chaplin - Psychology (psychology.gmu.edu)Dr. Tara Chaplin is an Associate Professor of Psychology at George ... Title: Parent-Adolescent Interactions and Substance Abuse Risk: Gender Differences.