Mention drug addiction, and most people will either think of homeless people living rough and looking rough. Or, they will think of teenagers.
Of course, while some teenagers are addicted to drugs, many aren’t. It’s an unfair stereotype, but one that sticks. To confirm this, a recent study showed that 8.33% of teenagers aged 12-17 used drugs in a one month period.
Only a quarter of that 8.33% were using illicit drugs other than marijuana. It’s not exactly the same as all teenagers being tarred with the same brush.
However, what is true is that teenagers are more susceptible to becoming drug addicts. There are several reasons this is the case.
TopTip: If you know someone struggling with drugs, it’s advisable to get them into a drug rehab program now. They can start without even leaving the house.
Continued Development
Teenagers often feel like they are already grown up and wiser than their elders. However, the truth is, teenagers are still developing mentally and physically.
In fact, some research shows that the brain keeps developing until you reach 25 or even 30. During the teenage years, the brain relies more on emotion than logic to make decisions.
As the brain cells which are used the most become the strongest, teenagers who experiment with drugs are more likely to continue making emotion-based decisions.
Naturally, drug addicition supplies pleasure which is an emotional response and a response used in many future decisions.
Discovering Themselves
The teenage years are when children start to break free of the shackles imposed by parents and create their own pathan in life.
At this stage, they are usually very open to experimenting as it helps them discover who they are and what they really want from life.
Of course, this also means they are open to trying anything, including drugs. If they have an addictive personality or a family history of addiction, they are more likely to become drug addicts.
Willingness To Push Limits
Teenagers love pushing the mimits, it’s often why they do something when you tell them not to. They have little regard for consequences.
As such, trying different things, including alcohol and drugs, can seem like a fun decision. Unfortunately, this simple decision can change their life forever.
Belief in Own Immortality
Another thing that teenagers often have is an immortality complex. Put simply, they can’t conceive getting older or the thought that their actions might result in death.
This, nothing can hurt me attitude means they are open to almost any experience.
Of course, as they get older, they become wiser and more aware of their mortality. But that doesn’t matter, the damage is already done.
Summing Up
Teenagers are known to make bad decisions, which is why they are more likely to try drugs. They don’t even consider whether they could become addicted.
Unfortunately, it is a real possibility. As a parent, all you can do is talk to your child and highlight the danger to them. It also helps to simply be there when they need you.
