Why do adolescents abuse substances?
Many adolescents use alcohol and other drugs. Some develop serious problems that require professional help to control. Adolescence is a time for trying new things. Teens use alcohol and other drugs for many reasons, including curiosity, because it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up, or to fit in. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems. There are many possible causes, some of which may become clear only as treatment progresses. What drugs do teens abuse? Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. Legally available drugs include alcohol, prescribed medications, inhalants (fumes from glues, aerosols, and solvents) and over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications. The most commonly used illegal drugs are marijuana (pot), stimulants (cocaine, meth, and speed), LSD, PCP, opiates, heroin, and designer drugs (Ecstasy). Experimentation with illegal drugs is more common than most parents reali
