Short Research Paper

The causes of teenage drug abuse

Short Research Paper #1

The causes of teenage drug abuse

Teen drug abuse is a serious issue facing today’s youth. It is a growing problem and parents should be aware. It can occur for many reasons, some of which are low self-esteem problems, dysfunctional family issues or just the need to achieve a high level of popularity inside different social circles.

The first reason teens often begin using drugs is because of their low self-esteem. “The Science of Addiction: Drugs, Brain, and Behavior” (2008) states that teenagers self-esteem is very sensitive during adolescence, making them more likely to turn into drugs in an attempt to feel more powerful. They also feel pressure from other teenagers who try to convince them that drugs are good. All this because of their low self-esteem.

Many teenagers also begin using drugs because they come from dysfunctional families. In recent research about substance abuse (Bratter & Forrest, 2000) it was found that in many of these families, both parents work outside the home. In other cases, parents do not have the time to pay attention to their children’s needs. But also, there are those who may not be aware of the warning signs that their children show.

Popularity is another reason teens begin using drugs. “Heads up, Real news About Drugs and Your Body: The Brain” (2008) confirms that many of these children use drugs because they want to be seen as “cool”. It is very important for them to fit into a group. Others think that by using drugs, they are going to make friends easily.

In conclusion, low self-esteem, dysfunctional family issues, and the need to achieve a high popularity level are the main causes of teenage drug abuse. The best way to stop teens from using and abusing drugs is to address all these causes. Only then will there be a decrease in the number of teenagers who use drugs.

References

The Science of Addiction: Drugs, Brain, and Behavior....