Adolescents and Substance Abuse

This research paper will present adolescence and substance abuse. The topic is reviewed and this is followed by the following issues: the adolescent life cycle issue of identity development, and family issues and effects on relationships.

Adolescent use of illicit drugs is increasing. In 1997, marijuana use was highest among those aged 12 to 24 years (Kilpatrick, Acierno, Saunders, Resnick, Best, & Schnurr, 2000). Adolescent substance abuse is associated with frequent impulsive-aggressive behavior and early onset of alcohol or drug use with associated problems. Risk factors are precursors of drug and alcohol problems and are predictive of other problems such as delinquency, pregnancy, school problems, and school dropout. Risk factors are divided into two categories: contextual, and individual and interpersonal (Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992).

Contextual factors include societal and cultural factors which provide legal and normative expectations. Laws and norms favor positive behavior. For example, there are minimum age drinking laws and penalties for sale of alcohol to minors and laws prohibit drug use. Availability is dependent on the laws and norms but it is also a separate factor since for example alcohol may be illegal but it also tends to be available to minors. Extreme economic deprivation such as poverty, overcrowding, and poor housing are associated with increased risk for

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rug involvement. Physical and sexual abuse, witness to violence, or a family member with substance abuse/dependence are associated with adolescent substance abuse risk (Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992; Kilpatrick et al., 2000). Race and sex differences in adolescent drug use were reported by Gottfredson, and Koper (1996). The authors findings were consistent with previous studies. No group differences were observed regarding prediction of drug variety for race or sex in nine of 12 factors. Predictive validity was only higher for Whites, compared to Blacks on three risk factors. Prediction of use frequency was the weakest for Black women but this group also had a low level of use. It was concluded that risk factors predict differences for all groups and rare behaviors are not well predicted. Prevention of adolescent substance abuse has focused on the manipulation and enforcement of laws and norms. Social influence resistance skills have also been implemented. Studies of these skills have shown short-term effects regarding rates of drug initiation. For example peer influence resistance skills training helps adolescents resist alcohol and drug use. However, these methods do not address developmental conditions and th

Category: Psychology - A