Drug Abuse And Addiction Among Teenagers - 1704 Words

Studies have shown that prescription drug abuse and addiction among teenagers is on a steady incline. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, â€Å"prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, of for the experience or feelings elicited.† This is a pervasive problem that is in fact consuming the lives of many teens, primarily because prescription drugs are easily accessible in their environment. There are several interpersonal determinants correlated with prescription drug abuse amongst teens, including, environmental and social factors. Within these factors, age, gender, race, socioeconomic status and education play key roles. The attribution theory and the social cognitive theory are the most appropriate in understanding the cause and effect relationship at the interpersonal level for the rapid increase in teenage prescription drug abuse. Some interventions at the interpersonal level include, more ed ucation (seminars given at schools on the dangers of recreational prescription drug use), promoting parents to be more active in their kids’ lives, capping dosage amounts, and implementing stricter regulations regarding doctors writing up prescriptions. Social and behavioral determinants include the socioeconomic status of the teenager and his/her family, family dynamics, and social environment. Socioeconomic status of the teenagers has a huge impact on how feasible prescription drugs are to kids.Show MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse Among Teenagers : A Survey1201 Words   |  5 PagesSubstance Abuse Among Teenagers Hannah is a fifteen year old girl who was recently sent to a rehabilitation center for the result of abuse of prescription medication. 6.1 million high school students currently use addictive substances, and like Hannah, 1 in 3 of them are addicted (â€Å"National Study Reveals,†2011). 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