What Drives Kids to Become Drug Abusers?

Understanding why some teens abuse drugs require an in-depth probe into their individual conditions and the kind of environment they are exposed to. For most parents/guardians, identifying the indications of drug abuse can be hard since most of them are synonymous to typical adolescent behaviors. Hence, seeking the help of a psychologist or pediatrician is imperative to accurately assess whether a teen is into drugs or not.

In determining the exact risk factors, however, experts have found over 50 likely causes. Prevailing in the concerned teenager’s home, school and social circle, these could be affected by other circumstances depending on a per case basis. As such, two main categories elucidating the primary reasons behind teenage drug abuse has been identified. They are as follows:

The Thrill Seekers

Teenage drug abusers falling under this category are motivated by the “good feeling” they derive from taking dangerous substances. In pursuit of excitement, they are driven to try out new things or risky activities. As is often the case, these teens are informally introduced to drugs through social influence.

Comprising this group are teenagers who reason out that they were coerced into doing drugs because their friends are doing the same. The pressure to measure up to prevailing social standards has compelled them to follow whatever activity or trend is popular with their circle. Ironically, the same impressionable nature that makes them vulnerable to taking dangerous drugs could also be used by educators and parents to dissuade them from it.

Accordingly, experts have pointed out that drug abusers of this type are more likely to respond positively to prevention programs informing them of the deleterious effects of drugs. Likewise, they could be deterred from it given the protective loving guidance of their parents/guardians. In line with this, it has been ascertained that of the two types of teenage drug abusers, “thrill seekers” could be steered more easily into seeking other options that satiate their need for excitement, fun, or novelty.

The Troubled Incognitos

As opposed to thrill seekers, teenagers belonging to this group have deeper, more obstinate reasons for taking dangerous drugs. They are compelled by their need to pacify their inner turmoil. The latter could have resulted from their exposure to any of the following: abusive experiences, failure to manage overwhelming emotions, poverty, bipolar disorder, panic disorders, schizophrenia, other severe psychological disorders, and other difficult life issues. For them, drugs provide a ready escape—a mental relief that keeps their minds off their present troubles.

Kids classified under this category use dangerous drugs to medicate themselves rather than revel in the elated feeling like thrill seekers do. At times, they even use drugs as a means for addressing symptoms associated with a particular psychological disorder—thinking that in doing so, they help stabilize their condition, affecting them in a similar fashion as anti-depressants and other psychotropic drugs.

But the nocuous effects of dangerous drugs override whatever temporary benefit it provides. In exchange for the brief mental respite are a multitude of health risks, both psychological and physical in nature, confronting the drug abuser. So rather than alleviate their present worries, things make a turn for the worse. Furthermore, medical findings have confirmed that using dangerous drugs exacerbate prevailing mental disorders.