Teen Substance Abuse: 8 Risk Factors You Should Know
When determining risk factors for drug abuse, teens should look at family history with drugs
, consider any problems at home, mental illnesses and peer pressure factors.Substance abuse includes using alcohol, illicit drugs, and other substances often that can also harm a teen's health and future. In order to save an adolescent's life and also to control the abuse and put the same to an end, analyzing the various probable causes at the back of the teen substance abuse is quite significant. This is a list that will determine the amount of risk associated with teen substance abuse:
Find out if the teen's parents struggle with substance abuse
One risk factor for teen substance abuse is that one or both parents who are substance abusers. If a mother or father is alcoholic or has another problem with addiction, then it is more likely that any children will have similar issues, particularly during the adolescent years. The teen will think there is not much risk associated with abusing alcohol or drugs, since his parents have a positive approach towards using such substances. In this situation, teenagers at risk will think that because their parents are abused it is alright for them to do likewise.
Check whether the teenager is lacking in support and guidance from parents
It is easier for the teen to leave the home and use different substances, when parents do not actively monitor or are careless regarding their teen's whereabouts. Teens who are not emotionally attached to their parents have a greater chance of becoming substance abusers in comparison with teens who spend a lot of time with their family or who have sufficient parental supervision.
Take the time to explore the adolescent's home life, particularly any recurring issues
Teens who do not know how to handle problems at home tend to escape reality and bitterness by getting involved in drugs or alcohol. If you identify difficult problems at the teen's home, such as divorcing parents, a constantly nagging mother, or an alcoholic father, then the risk for teen substance abuse is higher.
Determine whether the teenager is suffering due to peer pressure
Drinking and using drugs among teens is sometimes caused by peer pressure. No matter how carefully parents monitor their teen, he or she may learn to make excuses and get away with it. If all or most of his friends are into drugs or alcohol, the teen may try to go with the flow to make sure he fits in.
You may even want to observe where the teen lives
A good thing to note is what neighborhood the teenager is living in. The incidence of drug and alcohol abuse is much higher in places where those substances are readily available.
You may need to probe a bit in order to learn whether the teenager has been the victim of abusive treatment
If a teenager has been abused physically or psychologically, they may turn to drugs or alcohol in an effort to forget the pain. In order to determine the likelihood of substance abuse find out if the teen has been abused in any way at home or in school or by his friends.
Determine whether the teenager is suffering from some longstanding and unattended health problems
Another risk factor of substance abuse is any untreated or hopeless health condition the teen might have. He could turn to alcohol or drugs due to depression. When the teen feels that all is hopeless, they may think nothing they do makes any difference to their future.
Looks for traits that are likely to cause addiction
A teenager's demeanor can many times let you figure out if they are abusing alcohol or drugs. As well as an extremely insecure personality, it can also be a risk factor in having an extremely disobedient and rebellious character.
Into substance abuse, any teen can get into. You have to learn more about his family, his friends, his personality, and also his condition to help find the risk of substance abuse. It is better to be proactive rather than reacting after the problem occurs, therefore it is better to be aware of a teen's environment and to prevent threats to his life and/or future.
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