Substance use and abuse in adolescence: an overview

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Psychology
• Sociology of Substance Use

Background:

• Youth substance use is prevalent, driven by factors like peer influence, rebellion, and perceived maturity.
• Family instability and societal permissiveness contribute significantly to adolescent substance abuse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted reasons behind adolescent substance use.
• To identify the key challenges impeding effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of existing literature on adolescent substance use.
• Analysis of sociological and psychological factors contributing to substance abuse.

Main Results:

• Adolescent substance use is linked to social belonging, rebellion, and independence.
• Key causes include family destabilization, peer pressure, and declining self-discipline.
• Prevention and treatment face hurdles due to diagnostic and strategic disagreements, funding, and follow-up deficiencies.

Conclusions:

• Addressing adolescent substance use requires understanding its complex social and psychological drivers.
• Improving prevention and treatment necessitates overcoming systemic challenges in strategy, funding, and implementation.