Preventing Teen Substance Abuse Through Knowledge

submitted: May 8th 2008 | by: ChrisChanning | Total views: 13 | Word Count: 501 | | |

Staying clean of drugs and alcohol is something that many adults face- but more frightening is the fact that younger and younger generations are starting to explore the offensive nature of substance abuse. Understanding why teens do this and how to prevent it is vital to parents, who should care for the well being of their children and help them the best they can.

Common Reasons Teens Abuse Substances

Teen substance abuse isn't always because teens want to escape from pressures of life or even because they know what they are doing. Certain types of legal drugs can indeed act as a gateway drug and force teens to get their fix by using more intense and illegal drugs. If this is the case, teens should always be educated on any prescriptions they are taking, any steroids, or any "uppers" they may use to help study. Doing so can help reduce the chance of a drug addiction.

The biggest cause of the reasons teens succumb to the effects of substance abuse has and always will be peer pressure. It is becoming more common for adults and older teenagers that have been associated with drugs and alcohol to enforce their views on the substance to teenagers who would otherwise not be likely to try such atrocious substances. In that case, educating teenagers of peer pressure and how to avoid it can indeed help save lives in the long run.

Another common effect of teen substance abuse comes via marijuana. We are now seeing parents becoming more likely to use marijuana as compared to previous decades. This is largely due to the fact that many parents were using marijuana in the 1970's when the drug was vastly popular. Now as these teens have become adults, they may now try to hide the fact that they still use the drug to their kids. But as studies show, almost all kids born to parents who still use the drug in secrecy will be more likely to try the drug themselves if they ever catch on to the fact their parents still abuse the substance.

College students who just can't find the time to try and cram studying into their busy schedules, studies show, will be much more likely to fall victim to the possibility of substance abuse. To help prevent this sad prospect, parents should always educate students on how to manage their time and that using substance aids will only complicate matters- and should only be temporary solutions at best. A doctor should be consulted before continuing or starting this practice, however.

Final Thoughts

Drug and alcohol abuse is no laughing matter- teens are finding out that their actions will indeed impair their futures as time wears on. But to help protect them from themselves, parents can educate them on stress management, dangers of substance abuse, and parents should also try to exhibit good behavior themselves so as to exhibit a good behavior to follow. Doing so will enable teens to have the best chance possible in succeeding in life being substance-free.

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Learn more about Substance Abusers and Substance Abuse Treatment.

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