[The danger of developing drug dependence in adolescents]

The authors, by reference to a number of patients taking higher-than-prescribed doses of tranquilizers, sedatives, and hypnotics, thus becoming addicted to using them as drugs, describe some of the motivations of juveniles to take drugs. Problems associated with habituation to the use of drugs are discussed from sociological, medical, and psychological points of view. Also, attention is drawn to the fact that disturbed secondary structures in both family and personal life as well as certain primary premorbid psychopathological structures may, in principle, lead to drug addiction. The need for early recognition and prophylaxis is pointed out.