FACTORS THAT CAN LURE YOUTH TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
Some factors that may contribute to addiction to drug abuse include;
- Genetic disposition- some people are easily addicted while others take the same drug but they do not get addicted.
- Age at which you start abusing drug-the younger you are, the higher your chances of getting addicted-e.g. ‘those who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely than adults to develop drug addiction’
- Accessibility-how easily you can access drugs
- Your home and family life
- Your peers/the company that you keep-peer pressure
OTHER REASONS INCLUDE;
The need to feel trendy and fashionable
- You can easily be influenced to engage in drug and substance abuse when you see some of the famous celebrities and personalities in the media world taking and advertising some drugs and substance abuse in public. In some cases, they are paid by manufacturing companies to advertise these substances. They make money by creating the impression that drug and substance abuse are trendy and fashionable. They are in business; you are not in business. You do not have to copy them to feel better. You can instead engage in other safe activities that are not harmful such as sports, games, hobbies, church activities, reading, music, performing art, visiting the elderly, the needy, children homes, assisting at home etc.
The Desire to Fit-In/Peer Pressure
- As a young person, you are in a stage where you crave to be accepted by your friends, your school mates or college mates. When you see them taking drugs and substance abuse during social functions and festivities, you may easily be tempted to do the same Remember that you are also at a very critical developmental stage where you are still searching for identity. Your body is also undergoing biological changes where your hormones are yet to stabilize. You may also be experiencing mood swings; at one moment you may feel excited but in no time you are in a low mood and feeling depressed. These changes and mood swings are quite normal and part of growing up. You do not have to engage in drug since your health will be negatively affected in the long run. Remember adolescence stage will come and go. You just need to be a little bit patient.
Coping with stress
- As a young person, you are likely in high school, college or university. At times you will face stressful situations such as the need to perform better in your studies and get good grades in your final exams. Exams are quite competitive since every one want to be at the top. Your parents may be at your neck, they want good grades. Facing such stressful situations can be prove difficult and may push you to drug abuse since you may have heard from your friends that drugs make you high and relaxed. It is true that drugs may make you feel high and hence assist you to relax but remember your brain and body might get so used to drugs such that in the long run you get addicted to drugs. This is dangerous. You will keep on craving for drugs despite the damage to your brain and body. Do not start something that you may find hard to stop.
Curiosity
Remember the old saying that “curiosity killed the cat?” You are young. You are eager to discover life. You have heard about drug and substance abuse. You would like to find out how they taste and how it feels. But you know what? Once you taste and get a ‘high’ you may think that you are different from your peers, that you are strong and capable of controlling this new habit. Unfortunately you may be unable to stop the habit, this is because once drugs enter your blood stream they interfere with the functioning of your brain.
Please SAY NO TO DRUGs AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE!!!!!YOU ARE WONDERFULLY AND BEAUTIFULLY MADE!!!! YOU ARE THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR SHIP!!!
