Essay Sample on Substance and Drug Abuse Among Adolescents

Introuction

Substance and drug abuse among adolescents is a major cause of concern, particularly in developed countries. According to Levy (2018), drug and substance abuse begins with experimentation and may progress to severe disorders. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2014) estimates that close to 70 percent of adolescents are introduced to either alcohol or drugs or both before the end of their high school life. One of the major push factors associated with substance and drug abuse is the need to gratify the developmental privation of risk taking and to seek thrills. Adolescent exposure to and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other hard drugs remains high despite campaigns to address the challenge.

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Alcohol remains the leading choice for adolescents. Close to 70 percent of adolescents are introduced to alcohol before they clear with high school. Binge drinking leads to more alcohol intake, especially among male adolescents. Media and societal portrayal of alcohol as acceptable are attributed to its use (Levy 2018).

Wills et al. (2015) observe that at least 30 percent of Americans who begin smoking every day are adolescents. He notes that individuals are less likely to smoke in their adulthood if they do not pick up the behavior as adolescents. The most potent risk factor for adolescent smoking is the presence of parents who smoke. Other risk factors include peer influence, low esteem, and poor grades. The use of smokeless tobacco has been on the rise. A similar trend is observed with e-cigarettes.

Besides alcohol and cigarettes, the other drugs consumed by adolescents include marijuana, prescription drugs, inhalants, hallucinogens, cocaine, anabolic steroids, methamphetamine, and heroin. Most of these drugs lead to depression, reclusiveness, poor performance, and unpredictable behavior. Various community initiatives aim to prevent adolescents from starting drugs and those that try to rehabilitate those that have already picked up such habits (Atilola et al. 2014).

References

Atilola, Olayinka, D. Stevanovic, YP S. Balhara, Mohamad Avicenna, Hasan Kandemir, Rajna Knez, Petar Petrov, T. Franic, and P. Vostanis. 2014. "Role of personal and family factors in alcohol and substance use among adolescents: an international study with focus on developing countries." Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing 21(7): 609-617.

Levy, Sharon .2018. "Substance Use and Abuse in Adolescents - Children's Health Issues - MSD Manual Consumer Version." MSD Manual Consumer Version. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/problems-in-adolescents/substance-use-and-abuse-in-adolescents.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2014. "Principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment: A research-based guide." NIH Publication Number 14-7953.

Wills, Thomas A., Rebecca Knight, Rebecca J. Williams, Ian Pagano, and James D. Sargent. 2015. "Risk factors for exclusive e-cigarette use and dual e-cigarette use and tobacco use in adolescents." Pediatrics 135(1): e43-e51.