Substance abuse by adolescents is a pattern of substance (drug or alcohol, for instance) use leading to significant problems, e.g. absence from school, interference with family or friend relationships, or legal problems (Payne, Golden and Kaminer, 2002; UAB, 2004). Substance dependence is continued use of drugs or alcohol, even when significant problems related to their use have developed. There may be an increased tolerance to the drug of choice, a need for increased amounts of the drug to attain the same desired effect, withdrawal symptoms with decreased use, difficulty stopping use of the drug, withdrawal from social activities and continued use of the drug even with awareness of the physical and psychological problems encountered. Chemical dependence is the term used to describe the compulsive use of drugs or alcohol and the inability to stop using them despite the problems they cause.
The substances most commonly used by adolescents include alcohol; marijuana; hallucinogens; cocaine; amphetamines; opiates; and anabolic steroids (Payne, Golden and Kaminer, 2002; UAB, 2004). Substance abuse and chemical dependence are caused by a number of factors including genetic vulnerability, environmental stressors, social pressures, individual personality characteristics, and psychiatric problems. Which of these is the primary cause and which the secondary has not been determined for adolescents. Some adolescents are more at risk for developing substance-related disorders, such as those who are the children of substance abusers; adolescents who are victims of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse; those with mental health problems, particularly depression; and physically disabled adolescents.
Epidemiologic data shows that 9 percent of adolescent females and 20 percent of adolescent males meet the adult diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder (Co-occurrence, 2003). Among adolescents and young adults with substance di...