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Substance Abuse in Teens
Being a teenager is a very stressful time. A teenager struggles between wanting to still be a child to some degree while also wanting to be an adult. Friends are a big part of a teenager's life and can influence what they do whether that is in a good way or in a bad way. One of the biggest problems that occur in the life of a teenager is the constant pressure from friends and peers to use drugs or alcohol. Substance abuse occurs commonly with teens and if not resolved, will carry on into adulthood.Substance abuse in teens is often begun when the teen's friends or peers. They make teen feel that if they do not use these substances, they will not be accepted. Peer pressure is a very dangerous tool when it is used for the bad rather than the good. Often times, the pressure to be accepted and like is too much and the teen caves and falls into a life of substance abuse.
Drugs are one of the most common types of substance abuse. The type of drugs not only varies depending on the location or the group's top choice, but it also varies by generation. Marijuana was the drug of choice 30 years ago, but today, drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and meth have taken over as the drugs of choice. Using these drugs is not only illegal, but also damaging to the mental and physical aspects.
Alcohol is another common form of substance abuse. Since alcohol is not as physically and mentally dangerous as drugs can be and is more easily accessible, this is often the top choice for groups of teens. Teens can easily get access to beer from their own refrigerators at home, so they will often take this to parties to feel the high of getting drunk and partying with their friends. Pressure to drink is also easier to cave to since teens do not view drinking as being as serious as doing drugs.
Another form of substance abuse that teens see as harmless is smoking cigarettes. These are also a little easier to obtain. Teens can easily find a buddy who just turned 18 to buy the cigarettes. The main reason teens will use cigarettes is simply to be cool. There are really no benefits of getting high this way, but they feel they will not be accepted if they don't join in.
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