Drug Abuse, Causes of Drug Abuse in Adolescents

Meaning of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse can simply be put as the habitual taking of drugs for different purposes. For instance a person may abuse a drug in order to have a pleasurable feeling on their nervous system (brain); while another may abuse a drug because they need it to stay awake at night (in order to read academic notes).

Please read more on drugs, types of drugs and their side effects.

Note: Drug abuse is not the same thing as drug addiction.

Drug addiction (also called drug dependence) involves a process whereby a person cannot function normally without the use of certain drug(s).

A drug addict will experience withdrawal symptoms when he or she attempts to stop using a dependent drug. However, the withdrawal symptom may not be felt in drug abuse.

Anyone (young, old, male or female) can be a drug abuser. Example of drugs abused includes marijuana, alcohol, LSD, tobacco, methamphetamines, ecstasy, mescaline, cigarettes and certain inhalants and sleeping pills.

Please read on drug trafficking and measures put in place to prevent it.

In this article, we will look into the factors that promote or influence drug abuse in adolescents.

Causes of Drug Abuse in Adolescents

Below are the major factors that influences drug abuse in adolescents. They include:

• Bad friends

There is an adage that says: 'show me your friends and I will tell you who you are'.

An adolescent who moves in the company of drug abusers is likely to join them in this bad act.

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• Ignorance

When an adolescent is not informed on the meaning, causes and consequences of drug abuse, he or she may indulge in such practice without any knowledge of what’s been done.

You can read on the consequences and solutions to illiteracy here.

• Lack of parental care

Parents are the first teachers. When parents become too strict with their children, such children may become afraid to tell them about the bad practices that is being influenced on them by their friends or neighbors.

You can read on the early years of Jesus here.

• Revenge

When an adolescent is physically or emotionally hurt by one whom he or she is supposed to look up to and trust, they may choose to drug abuse as an alternative to calm their broken state of mind.

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• Presence of drugs in the home

We are always advised to keep drugs out of the reach of children. When a parent becomes careless with these drugs, the children may abuse such drugs without their knowledge.

• Curiosity

An adolescent may decide to abuse a drug simply because they want to get a feel of what would happen after its use. Adolescents should be properly educated to prevent this act of negative curiosity.

• Relaxation purposes

Some adolescent will go to restaurants and bars only to end up smoking and drinking. One reason why they do this is the fact that they see those whom they are supposed to look up to smoking and drinking, thus thinking it’s a normal relaxation process.

• Inspiration

Adolescents listen to songs and their lyrics. Some of these songs contain all sort of negative lyrics; with the artist recommending the use of drugs as a source of inspiration.

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• Lack of supervision over adolescent activities

An adolescent should be properly taught and supervised both at school and at home. Strange activities which may include drug abuse can be observed if proper supervision is put in place.

Please read on factors that lead to failed marriages here.

• Abuse

Adolescent may be abused in a variety of ways. For instance, verbal abuse and rape may lead them into drug abuse.

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• Discrimination

Racial and ethnic discrimination on adolescents will adversely affect them. They may resort to drug abuse as an option to get over discrimination.

We must constantly understand that all human beings have got the same fundamental human rights.

Please read on your fundamental Human rights here.

Other factors that may cause drug abuse include:

• Low self-steem.
  Please read on self-esteem and how to overcome low self-esteem.
• Depression
• Mental illness
• Peer pressure.
  Please read on pressure group here.
• Recreational purposes
• Poor academic grades.
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• Poverty
• An initial use of prescription drug which may be subsequently abused