To determine the risk factors of teen substance abuse, you need to find out if the teen’s parents struggle with substance abuse, determine whether the teen lacks parental guidance, learn about the teen’s problems at home, find out if the teen experiences peer pressure, look into the neighborhood where the teen lives, discover if the teen has been abused in any way, find out if the teen has any untreated or hopeless illness, and analyze certain personal characteristics that may lead to substance abuse.

A teen’s health and future can be harmed by the abuse of different substances such as alcohol and illegal drugs. Determining the different possible causes behind teen substance abuse is very important to help end the abuse and save a teen’s life. This is a list that will determine the amount of risk associated with teen substance abuse:

Determine if the parents also struggle with substance abuse

One risk factor for teen substance abuse is that one or both parents who are substance abusers. If a mother or father is alcoholic or has another problem with addiction, then it is more likely that any children will have similar issues, particularly during the adolescent years. The teen will think there is not much risk associated with abusing alcohol or drugs, since his parents have a positive approach towards using such substances. Abuse is often regarded as the norm and teens will do the same when they become adults.

Check whether the teenager is lacking in support and guidance from parents

It is easier for the teen to leave the home and use different substances, when parents do not actively monitor or are careless regarding their teen’s whereabouts. The risk of substance abuse is greater among teens who lack parental attachment compared to teens who are constantly with their family or those who are being sufficiently monitored by their parents.

At home, problem about the teen should be learned

Many adolescents who lack training in healthy coping skills are at risk for alcoholism and drug abuse. If you identify difficult problems at the teen’s home, such as divorcing parents, a constantly nagging mother, or an alcoholic father, then the risk for teen substance abuse is higher.

Ask your teen if they feel pressured by their peers

Frequently, peer pressure encourages a teenager to start using drugs. Teenagers lie to their parents from time to time and pull it off even when mom and dad keep a close eye on them. Your adolescent child may try to go by the company of his/her friends if most or all of his friends are drug or alcohol addict so as to be fully comfortable in that company.

Look into the neighborhood where the teen lives

It is also an important determining factor, the neighborhood in which the teen lives. The chance for substance abuse is also high, in places where alcohol and illicit drugs are rampant.

Find out if the teen was abused in some way in the past

Any emotional, physical, or psychological abuse a teen has experienced can cause him or her to resort to alcohol or drug use to temporarily forget and dull the pain. Discover if the teenager has been mistreated in his or her house, school, or with acquaintances to find out the probability of any drug or alcohol problem.

Find out if the teen has any untreated or hopeless illness

A child in poor health has a much greater chance of abusing substances than one who is not. Depression can set the stage for addictive behaviors. Because of their hopeless condition, teens may think it does not matter whatever they do with their lives, in such situations.

Certain that may lead to substance abuse, analyze those personal characteristics

Finally, a teen’s general disposition can also help you to determine the possibility of substance abuse. As well as an extremely insecure personality, it can also be a risk factor in having an extremely disobedient and rebellious character.

Any teen can fall into substance abuse. You need to learn more about his family, his friends, his personality, and his condition to help determine the risk of substance abuse. We need to be careful to safeguard teenagers’ well being and future so that we aren’t asked to fix a problem later.

Author Bio: For information on how to handle and help at risk teenagers, please visit http://www.at-risk.org/blog/.

Category: Family Concerns
Keywords: at risk teenagers, parenting teens, at risk teens, help for teens, help for teenagers