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 delinquency and conduct problems. While studies do not provide strong support for the conclusion that these factors predict adolescent substance abuse, extreme poverty has been shown to lead to increased risk of adult antisocial behavior and alcoholism in those who were antisocial in childhood. Neighborhood disorganization problems such as high population density, lack of surveillance, high mobility, physical deterioration, low attachment levels, high adult and juvenile crime, and illegal drug trafficking are related to delinquency. Th...