As per a recent study, 73 percent of teens say that school stress is the primary reason for drug use and it also showed that parents severely underestimate the impact of stress on their teens. There are many factors causing stress in the teens like the pressures of performing well in school and getting into a good college weigh heavily on many teen’s minds and the lack of sleep because of school, social life, family life, and work. Family stress is another cause of pressure for adolescents. Dating and breakups, teasing and struggle for popularity at school can also cause stress in the teens.
Teens become addicted to the drugs because stress increases the production of a hormone in the body known as corticotropin releasing factor and this factor is found throughout the brain and initiates biological response to stressors. Stress in the teens may influence the use of alcohol or other drugs and it is known that stress is the one of the major factor for the continuation of addiction to alcohol or other drugs. Children suffering from severe stress are found to be more vulnerable to drug use. Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder and it co occurs with the depression, anxiety disorders, and alcohol or other substance abuse.
Drug abuse effects the body in many ways and it damages vital organs in the body. So it is important for every parent to recognize whether their children are under any stress and also the risks their teens face because of the stress. If you identify that your teen is under stress it is your duty as a parent to help him in reducing the stress, and also help him to cope with the stress.
