Six Reasons Why Drug Addiction Is Common Amongst Teenagers

Adolescence can be an impulsive and tiring time for parents. In most cases, teenagers believe the ‘now’ is all that matters. As a famous saying goes, ‘there’s no time like now. 

But this outlook can be dangerous and, if not controlled, can leave scars that last a lifetime. Thinking only about the present without considering the consequences that follow in its wake often leads to drugs and alcohol.

While many consider this a grave issue, it is common among young kids who barely entered high school; it is a rather uncomfortable reality that we’re faced with, but true. 

Many parents believe drugs are just a phase, and eventually, their child will grow up to be responsible, or that the child is just experimenting, doing what everyone does. 

But change isn’t easy, and the root of this problem goes far deeper than we realize.

Let’s take a moment and dive into the psychology of youth. If we are to deal with this problem, we must see the reason behind addiction to prevent deep-seated drug habits from developing later in the lives of teenagers. 

The common causes for youth falling prey to drugs and alcohol abuse are highlighted below.

#1. The Desire to ‘Fit In’

Making new friends can prove to be difficult for youngsters. Especially in high school, where a hierarchy of kids exists. 

Some kids come with insecurities, low self-esteem, fears of not being accepted by their fellow peers, and fears of being victims of bullying.

So, many students start using drugs to fit in and be accepted by a ‘cooler’ group; this desire to ‘fit in’ is the most common driving factor in reputable rehab centers. 

Rehab centers like The Palm Beach Institute suggest a comprehensive approach towards recovery to develop unique treatment plans for addicted individuals. 

Unique treatment plans help rehab centers zero in on the root of the problem. Since every individual has a specific reason or an underlying issue, eliminating the problem from within is the most viable approach. 

#2. Wanting To Feel Good

These days, the common term, ‘getting high,’ is when teenagers want a thrill. They want an intense feeling that they can’t get through with exercise, food, or another activity. 

This is how addiction generally starts. Drugs interact with the brain’s pleasure center, which is why it feels so good. 

Speaking in scientific terms, when you use drugs, it causes your brain to produce a large amount of dopamine and euphoria that creates temporary feelings of happiness. 

Dopamine affects our movement, memory, and focus. Having consistently high dopamine levels can cause you to be more aggressive and have little impulse control. 

Combining the two hormones has a lingering effect on the brain, craving more, hence the addiction.

#3. Looking for an escape

There are two different types of thinking: the desire to feel good and the need to feel good. Most teenagers can’t see the difference between the two, where addiction often takes hold. 

Teenagers look for a way out, and naturally, they choose the easiest path – drugs. The desire to feel better is just an excuse for self-medication. 

The truth is that adolescents are often locked in a battle with something more profound than getting an F in mathematics or being a subject of peer pressure. 

They suffer from deep-seated conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Subduing their negative feelings with drugs helps them escape reality.

#4. Experimentation

The human brain matures at the age of 25. The final stage of the brain’s development is the one that’s monitors rational thinking, self-control, and judgment. 

People tend to take unnecessary risks just for the sake of fun. It is also why teenagers find it harder to resist drugs once they’ve tried it. 

In addition to this, drugs can cause severe damage to the still-developing brain.

#5. Competition and Attention Seeking

These two are linked with one another. Young adults and teenagers have a particular need to impress or to make their parents/teachers proud. 

Whether at a school, university, or field, young people want everyone to see them as the best and brightest. 

Competition can be fierce, especially in academics, where students fear failure and take large amounts of prescription stimulants, steroids, or smart drugs. 

In hoping to improve their performance, they doom the long-term development of their brain.

A common trait among teenagers these days is the feeling of uselessness. They feel like they don’t have any talent or lack direction/purpose. 

Not being good enough, especially if you don’t have reassurance from a loved one, can be dangerous. 

Lacking a feeling of specialty or uniqueness in comparison to others can lead to substance abuse. Sadly, some teenagers don’t know how to become the best, so they choose to become the worst possible version of themselves in hopes of getting people’s attention.

#6. Lack of Education and Awareness

Some adolescents and young adults perceive drugs and alcohol as normal. It starts from being a one-time thing to an everyday routine. 

Sometimes, drugs are considered as common remedies for any sort of pain, physical and emotional. 

Moreover, since musicians are singing about it, movies are glamorizing it, the question is, why not? 

Whether you’re depressed, sleep-deprived, or down with a headache, there is a drug for you. Due to the “pill cures all” mentality, teenagers think drugs cure everything. 

Many people don’t understand the long-term adverse effects of drug use, including psychological, physical, and even relational damage. 

Educating them is crucial. It is essential to let them know what drugs and alcohol do to our bodies.

The Way Forward

Teenage addiction is real regardless of the reasons behind it. Most teens and young adults find it challenging to break free from the cycle of substance abuse. 

Depressed teenagers need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a hand for support. Therefore, if you know anyone suffering from drug addiction, or suspect them of it, check up on them and make sure that they get the help they need.