Question

Which of the following is a reason for adolescents resorting to drug/alcohol abuse?
I. Peer pressure
II. Stress of excelling in studies
III. Influence of television and internet
IV. Natural curiosity to experiment with new habits

Answer 1

Drugs are chemical substances which cause physiological changes when administered into an organism’s body. Certain drugs can have various effects on the body, some of which include a sense of immediate euphoria, a temporary sense of well-being, instant relief from pain, hallucinations, loss of contact with reality, etc. Alcohol consumption can also have a similar impact on the body and the mind.

Addiction refers to the psychological attachment to some of these perceived benefits of drug/alcohol usage which results in the inability of an individual to control the urge of using these substances. Regular drug/alcohol abuse can have fatal effects on the body and the mind which not only reduces the lifespan of an individual but also creates a poor quality of life.

Adolescence is the period which marks the transition from childhood to adulthood usually between 12-18 years. A child undergoes major physical and psychological development during this period. As the body undergoes major changes in appearance during puberty (period of attaining sexual maturity), the mind constantly experiences turmoil to cope with these changes.

Apart from this, as an individual emerges from early to late adolescence, he or she goes through various phases of mental development before attaining the mental maturity of an adult. Adolescents are often torn between choices in life, are incapable of controlling impulses and struggle for independence in life which leads to rebellious behaviour and arguments with parents and family.

Adolescents are highly influenced by their peers and often struggle to make an impression on them. This can be harmful in the wrong company as the desire to come across as ‘cool’ amongst peers many times pushes adolescents in the wrong path of drug and alcohol abuse. Thus peer pressure is one of the major causes behind drug/alcohol abuse by adolescents.

Adolescents also indulge into using drugs out of sheer curiosity to experiment and their urge to experience thrill and adventure. Using drugs is their way of enforcing a feeling of independence by defying elders and being rebellious.

Unsupportive family and undue pressure to excel in studies, sports or other co-curricular activities can cause anxiety, depression, etc in adolescents. This often pushes adolescents to indulge into bad habits such as drug or alcohol abuse to get rid of their problems and attain a temporary phase of euphoria and well-being.

Media also imprints a long-lasting impact on these young minds and as television shows, movies, etc. glorifying the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by on-screen characters often influences adolescents to indulge into these habits.

Thus all of the above mentioned reasons are responsible for drug addiction in adolescents.