It can be tough to be a teenager. Young people are presented with new situations and new decisions that, often, they must face on their own. As parents, understanding why a teenager might end up using drugs can also be tough. In fact, parents often struggle to understand the reasons why adolescents use drugs, especially since the reasons why teens abuse drugs can be so varied.
It can be helpful and empowering to learn more about adolescent drug use as well as adolescent drug and alcohol treatment options. Venture Academy can help; contact 866.762.2211 today.
The Adolescent Brain and Substance Abuse
Even though teenagers often seem mature and certainly would like to be treated as such, their brains are actually still in a flurry of development. The brain doesn’t reach its full development until the mid-to-late 20s, and this can have a major impact on a teenager’s choices around drug and alcohol use. The fact that an adolescent’s brain is still developing can also mean that if they do abuse drugs or alcohol, the consequences can be much more severe than they would for an adult.
Developing brains that are exposed to drugs or alcohol are at risk for problems related to neurotransmitters such as dopamine. This can cause problems with mood and emotional regulation. Also, the earlier a person starts drinking alcohol or using drugs, the more likely they will have trouble stopping. Another function of the developing adolescent brain is that it means teens have poorer impulse control than adults. Impulse control is the ability to stop and think before doing something, which can lead to bad decision-making at times.
Why Do Teenagers Use Drugs in the First Place?
There are many reasons why a teenager might decide to try using drugs. Five of the most common ones are detailed below.
1. Peer Pressure
Teens often do things in order to feel like they fit in. Peer pressure doesn’t necessarily mean that some other person is pressuring your teen to use drugs, but the dynamics of adolescent peer groups can often create a ‘culture of conformity.’
2. Experimentation
As previously mentioned, teens have brains that are not yet developed. It is natural for some people to have a sense of adventure or risk-taking, but for a young person whose impulse control is not yet fully in place, trying drugs might seem like something exciting and interesting.
3. Feeling Good
It can be hard to be a teenager. It is a time of strong, rapidly changing emotions. Especially for teens that might be having a hard time, drugs might seem like a way to change negative feelings.
4. Self-Medication
Using drugs or alcohol as a way to mitigate mental health distress can be an issue for teens and adults. Adolescents might be dealing with symptoms of a mental health condition and looking for a way to help themselves feel better.
5. Keeping Up
No one wants to believe that their teenager feels such pressure to succeed that they would turn to drugs, but our culture is very focused on success. At younger and younger ages, children are experiencing stress related to academic achievement and competition in sports.
Venture Academy Can Help Adolescents Who Abuse Drugs
At our treatment centres across Canada, we offer a variety of programming to help young people who are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, mental health issues, and behavioural problems. Our highly trained clinicians have the knowledge and experience to guide your teenager back to a healthier, happier path so that they can achieve their fullest potential. If your adolescent has been struggling with substance abuse or alcohol, reach out to us today at 866.762.2211.
