Why Use Drugs?
There are many theories on the causes of substance abuse. They range from a genetic basis to personality characteristics. Drug or alcohol abuse in children usually seems to be a symptom of confusion, unhappiness, or alienation. Let’s look at four general areas of characteristics often seen in these children. • Lack of self-discipline. Children who lack self-discipline often show a lack of internal control and responsibility. They have a self-centered, pleasurable approach to the environment, and feel little personal or social responsibility. These youngsters are often impulsive, act before they think, and have difficulty adhering to duties and responsibilities imposed by others. Trouble with authority figures is frequent and they show poor academic performance because they lack a sense of responsibility. They often set very high goals for themselves, but do not have the self-discipline or knowledge of the process necessary to achieve these goals. An example is a child who tells me he i
