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Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Adolescents

Let's say we stop the first adolescent who passes by your house. I give him money and tell him to purchase some illegal drugs. At the same time, I give you money and tell you to get me a six-pack of soda. Both of you would probably get back at the same time with the items I requested.

This is an exaggeration, but not far from the truth. Drugs are available everywhere, from the highest socioeconomic levels to the lowest, from the best schools to the poorest schools. Recent surveys by national organizations related to drug abuse and alcoholism show:

1. The average age of first drug use is 13. The average age of first alcohol use is 12.

2. Over 50% of high-school seniors have tried drugs. Over 33% have tried a drug other than marijuana.

3. Nearly 33% of all high-school seniors claim that most of their friends get drunk at least once a week.

4. Nearly one in 16 has tried cocaine or its powerful, addictive derivative, crack.

5. High-school senior girls ingest more stimulants and tranquilizers than boys. Girls almost match the boys' use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.

6. Approximately 33% of fourth-graders reported peer pressure to try alcohol and marijuana.

Times Have Changed
Things have changed dramatically since we were children. The drug user or addict in our day was seen as a degenerate. Today, drug use cuts across all socioeconomic levels. It is even seen on TV and in movies as something done at social gatherings or parties. Negative effects are minimized.

Attitudes and values of the adolescent and preadolescent have shifted away from authority figures and toward more pleasure-seeking, big-money, fast-living people - toward sex, drugs, alcohol, and money.

This section gives a general overview of substance abuse in preadolescents and adolescents, and touches on the types of situations in which substance abuse is more likely to occur and the reasons for this behavior. Signs and symptoms of substance abuse are also included. For further details, consult one of the many excellent books on this subject. Also, check with the substance abuse agency in your area, which can provide literature about drug and alcohol use. Why Use Drugs?
There are many theories on the causes of substance abuse. They range from a genetic basis to personality characteristics. Drug or alcohol abuse in children usually seems to be a symptom of confusion, unhappiness, or alienation. Let's look at four general areas of characteristics often seen in these children.

• Lack of self-discipline. Children who lack self-discipline often show a lack of internal control and responsibility. They have a self-centered, pleasurable approach to the environment, and feel little personal or social responsibility. These youngsters are often impulsive, act before they think, and have difficulty adhering to duties and responsibilities imposed by others. Trouble with authority figures is frequent and they show poor academic performance because they lack a sense of responsibility. They often set very high goals for themselves, but do not have the self-discipline or knowledge of the process necessary to achieve these goals. An example is a child who tells me he is going to go to law school, make a lot of money, and own a big home and expensive cars. However, the reason he's in my office talking to me is that he wants to quit high school. Youngsters like this know how to set goals, but don't know how to achieve them.

• Lack of motivation. Some teenagers appear to lack interest in activities, things, and events. They are disinterested in school and do not have any hobbies. They live day to day and moment to moment. They show little or no interest in personal achievement or success, or put no value on them. They don't plan ahead or show any concern for future events or consequences they may experience.

• Unhappiness, dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety, boredom. These are frequent symptoms in teenagers who have a negative picture of themselves and see others as better than they are. They generally lack confidence in their abilities. They are unhappy in their home setting and often feel alienated and not part of their family unit.

• Socialization problems. Teens with socialization problems usually maintain friendships on a superficial level or else do not have many friends. Often they do not have a close friend and feel isolated from their peers. They have trouble with authority, difficulties at home, and conflicts with family members. They are easily influenced by peers.

  These characteristics are typical, but not conclusive. Adolescents who abuse drugs or alcohol have different personality characteristics and different reasons for using them. Below are some of the most frequent reasons for this behavior.

• Experimentation. Almost all teenagers try alcohol or drugs. If the child is only experimenting, this behavior will be seen very infrequently or observed a few times, then discontinued. Experimentation is the first stage in the four steps toward substance dependency. It is usually followed by occasional use, which is less than once a week, then regular use, where the child is actively involved with drinking or drugs. The final stage is dependence.

• Peer pressure. All the teenager's friends are involved with drugs or alcohol. He may not be able to go against the influence or pressure of the peer group.

• Rebellion. Sometimes drug or alcohol use is based on the child's tendency to rebel against parental or societal values.

• Confidence problems. Teenagers with negative self-concept are often insecure and lack confidence. This may be the basis of some drug and alcohol usage.

• To promote and enhance social interaction. Some teenagers who have difficulty interacting with age-mates or with the opposite sex feel that using drugs or alcohol releases inhibitions and makes it easier for them to relate to peers.

• To mask depressive feelings. Some teenagers use drugs or alcohol as self-medication. Their emotional difficulties center around depression, hopelessness, and unhappiness. These substances seem to help alleviate the symptoms.

• They like it. Some teens are involved because drinking or using drugs makes them feel good and they enjoy the pleasurable feeling of getting high.

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse
There are many symptoms of substance abuse. The list that follows is not conclusive. If your child shows one or two of the symptoms, it doesn't mean he is using drugs or alcohol. Be concerned when you observe a cluster of symptoms. Look first for symptoms you can see. Often, appearance is affected by the use of drugs or alcohol.

• Seeing the child drunk. The child is drunk frequently. Alcohol or medications disappear from the home. You find hidden drugs or alcohol. You discover store-bought drug paraphernalia (packets of rolling paper, various types of pipes, syringes). You frequently find household items that may be used as drug paraphernalia (plastic bags, baggies, lock-type pouches, aluminum-foil strips, small bottles, boxes, razor blades, weighing scales, kitchen spoons, and bottle caps burnt black on the bottom).

• Loss of interest. Loss of ambition. Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, or activities. Overall deterioration of morals or values.

• Physical changes. Deterioration in health and/or physical appearance. Appetite swings, either a loss or an increase. Bloodshot eyes, hyperactivity, frequent "colds" or nosebleeds.

• Personality changes. The child doesn't seem to like himself. Mood swings. Violent or destructive behavior. Severe depression. Threats of suicide or actual attempts. Running away from home or threats to run away.

• Loss of interest in school. Grades start to drop. Missing school.

• Secretive behavior. The door to his room is locked. Very private phone calls. Chronic tardiness (late for school, dates, activities).

• Avoidance of others. Avoiding family functions, neighbors, or old friends. Hanging out with older children. Verbal and/or physical abuse of parents or siblings. Changes in friends or hangouts.

• Money problems. Money disappearing from the house. Vague money needs. Sudden expenses. The child has money but you don't know where it is coming from.

• Chronic lying. Frequent alibis, excuses, and justifications (Teachers don't like me. Everybody is picking on me. You don't understand me.). Inability to keep promises. Excuses, such as: Everyone smokes (or drinks). Why should you care? It's not hurting you.

• Trouble with police. Police involvement of any kind. Driving-under-the-influence citations. Automobile or motorcycle accidents.

Dealing with Substance Abuse

• Contact a mental health professional. If you suspect substance abuse in your child, contact a mental health professional who specializes in this area. Not all mental health professionals have this expertise, so be sure you contact one who has the right training and experience. Most communities have substance abuse centers that offer treatment or can provide you with additional information.

• Identify and alleviate problems. Problems may be related to school, family, or peers, as well as to the child himself. If there is marital conflict in the home, discipline problems with the child, school failure, or socialization problems, try to resolve these.

• Encourage new friendships. This is more difficult to do with an adolescent than a younger child, but try to help him establish new friendships. Don't put down, criticize, or talk negatively about his current friends, because when you do that, the child feels you are talking about him. At times it may be appropriate to restrict friendships. Rather than restricting, however, it is better to encourage new friendships.

• Encourage the development of new interests. Provide opportunities for the child to develop hobbies, interests, and activities.

• Build confidence. Accentuate positive attributes and look for areas in the child's life that may produce a lack of confidence. Do things to counteract the latter and enhance a positive self-image.

• Develop overall responsibility and self-discipline. Many children are unmotivated and show problems with responsibility. They don't weigh consequences; this may be part of the problem with substance abuse. Try to develop overall responsibility in areas revolving around the home (chores, keeping their room clean) and with school.

• Establish communication. Most adolescents tend to withdraw from their families and do not communicate as much with their parents at this age. Many times when professionals talk to adolescents about drugs or alcohol and try to make a point, children see this as a lecture or some type of reprimand. Try to establish an open line of communication with your child. Talk to her about her interests, likes, and dislikes. At times, the goal of communication is not to gather information, but to interact and exchange information in a positive manner.

• Don't be manipulated. Many substance abusers are skilled at manipulation. Don't overextend your trust and allow yourself to be manipulated. Establish rules and consequences to follow. Do things to help you build trust in the youngster.

• Eliminate inappropriate models. If you suspect drug or alcohol abuse in your child, be sure you aren't modeling similar behaviors for him. The models for this behavior may be occurring in your home, with his peers, on television, or in the movies.

• Treat emotional problems. If your child experiences emotional difficulties (depression, unhappiness, anxiety), see an appropriate mental health professional.

• Set rules and consequences for behavior. Avoid protecting the child from consequences or rescuing him. Establish definite rules and consequences. Certain events should follow consistently if the child shows specific behaviors, especially continued drug or alcohol abuse.