What are the risk factors for adolescent and substance abuse; is it possible to significantly reduce these risk factors?
- What kind of a prevention program is needed to accomplish this?
- Is the goal of drug-free schools realistic?
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(1) What are the risk factors for adolescent and substance abuse; is it possible to significantly reduce these risk factors?
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Get Help Now!Several factors contribute to Substance abuse as coping mechanisms such as: (a) societal pressures, (b) lack of self-concept, (c) stress, (d) financial problems, (e) marital and family problems, and (f) life stresses and challenges. Other factors include the availability of drugs, etiological (casual) factors, biological or genetic factors, parental divorce, and parental interaction (Leukefeld, & Busoki, 1991). In addition, risk factors for adolescents’ problems are often tied to their development. For example, socio-emotional processes may involve changes in variables affecting adolescent development such as: (1) relationships, (2) emotions, and (3) personality changes. Research describes adolescence as a period of increasing autonomy and self-regulatory demands that are often accompanied by risky behaviors and poor decisions that can have lifelong negative consequences (Prencipe, Kesek, Cohen, Lamm, Lewis, Zelazo, 2011). For instance, according to Prencipe et al, risks are taken by adolescents such as intoxicated driving, experimenting with drugs and alcohol and unprotected sex. Thus, to significantly reduce these risk factors, psychologists have conceptualized behaviors using methods such as cognitive social learning techniques to identify irrational thoughts and behaviors. The primary goal is to reduce, or modify behaviors that lead to problems related to stress …
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