Teenage Substance Abuse: Part 1

Teenagers experiment with alcohol and other drugs so frequently that it is often considered the norm of their generation and environment. There have been numerous studies focusing on understanding the factors that influence teenager’s patterns of drug use (Steinberg and Fletcher, June 1994).

Teenage substance abuse affects physical, psychological and social development. Researchers have found no specific causal factors for teenage substance abuse. Studies reveal substance abuse is influenced by a complicated, interacting system of sociological, psychological and biological variables (Denton and Kampfe Summer 1994).

This series of articles reviews briefly possible effects of teenage substance abuse, some possible reasons why teenagers become addicted to substances and human services prevention plan.

Cocaine Use

The use of cocaine has been associated with emotional deterioration and psychosocial problems in clinical and survey populations. In one study, teenagers were followed for one year. The extent of their cocaine was limited (Newcomb 1993).

Results were cocaine use in this sample showed no significant increases or decreases in eight measures of emotional distress. It was felt that negative effects may take longer to appear as with psychiatric disturbances (Newcomb 1993).

Later studies revealed four specific negative effects in adulthood associated with teenager and increased cocaine use into young adulthood. These were:

1. Increased indicator of psychoticism;
2. Exacerbated impaired relations
3. Negative self-image and
4. Suicide attempts (Newcomb 1993)

Suicide and Suicide Attempts

The rate of teenage suicide has increased significantly in the recent years as have rates of teenage substance abuse. However, the relationship between substance abuse and adolescent suicide remains unclear. A literature review found the most important risk factors for completed and attempted suicide in teenagers are mental disorders (mood disorders and disruptive behavior disorders) and substance abuse (Rowan 2001).

Family Variables

How do family variables influence teenage substance abuse? Current literature reveals two broad categories:

1. Family drug usage patterns and
2. The family environment (Denton and Kampfe Summer 1994)

Continued in Part 2

Resources:
Steinberg, L., & Fletcher, A. (1994, June). Parental monitoring and peer influences on adolescent substance use. Pediatrics, 93 (6), 1060, Retrieved June 9, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database
Denton, R., & Kampfe, C. (1994, Summer). The relationship between family variables and adolescent substance abuse: A literature review. Adolescence, 29(114), 475. retrieved June 9, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database
Newcomb, M., Scheier, L., & Bentler, P. (1993, October). Effects of adolescent drug use on adult mental health: A prospective study of a community sample. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 1(1), 215-241. Retrieved June 9, 2008, doi:10.1037/1064-1297.1.1-4.215
Rowan, A. (2001). Adolescent substance abuse and suicide. Depression and Anxiety (1091-4269), 14 (3), 186-191. Retrieved June 9, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database