There are many factors and causes of drug abuse in society. This paper will focus on the causes of drug abuse in teenagers. Research has shown that the main causes of drug abuse in teenagers are from genetics, environmental factors, trauma during childhood, mental disorders, peer pressure and personality traits. Firstly, Drug abuse is often credited to a lack of willpower or self-control, meaning that people who have addictions make decisions to participate in drug usage. However, Tamara and Roleff believe that some forms of drug addiction and abuse have their origins deep in the cells of the people who use the drugs. The American Psychological Association, for example, states that about half of a person’s tendency …show more content…
An individual may abuse drugs in order to attempt to deal with the distress and pain that a mental illness can …show more content…
Using drugs allows these young people to fit in with their peers and blend in with the crowd. Adults can also be influenced by the people they live with and may start using drugs to fit in.
Finally, the way a person thinks and the way a person reacts in a given situation can lead to drug abuse. Impulsivity could allow people to experiment with drugs, while people who are more cautious might never dare to do so. A study in the journal Health Psychology found a link between drug use and personality factors such as poor self-control and a person’s temperament. People like this may have few friends and an inability connect with others, and drugs might seem like an ideal way to soothe their pain. It’s reasonable to say that personality traits like this could lead to drug abuse.
The causes of drug abuse in teenagers are complex and difficult to understand. The reason why drug abuse is so hard to fight is because everyone faces different personal circumstances that have caused the individual to become a drug abuser. All the main causes of drug abuse needs to be addressed individually to determine a persons risk factors for drug addiction and