Substance use in adolescence: risk factors.

A summary of the factors that influence drug use in adolescence.

The vital stage of adolescence becomes a particularly sensitive period in the establishment of the individual's own identity, so it seems necessary to analyze what circumstances may favor or prevent harmful risk behaviors in this age group, such as substance use.

In the ESTUDES work carried out by the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (2018), a statistic was prepared indicating the state of consumption at the national level in 2016-2017, analyzing various variables such as age of onset, sex or type of substance consumed in the adolescent population (14-18 years).

These data show that despite the fact that the onset of consumption of substances such as alcohol, tobacco or certain drugs such as cannabis at the indicated ages has been delayed by a few months compared to a decade ago, the frequency and volume of consumption is currently higher than in previous years. In this article we will see what factors may be influencing adolescent drug use in this respect..

Characteristics of the adolescent stage

As indicated at the beginning, adolescence involves a vital period of significant psychological complexity, since a confluence of diverse factors of diverse nature (physiological, emotional and social) interact in order to consolidate in the subject his own "I". For this reason, at this age, behaviors of self-assertion, differentiation from family reference figures and even the appearance of certain oppositional behaviors and a certain defiance of externally imposed norms and limits are very frequent. and defiance of externally imposed norms and limits, and even the appearance of certain behaviors of opposition and defiance of externally imposed norms and limits..

Another factor that plays an important role is the increase in the influence that the peer group exerts on the individual, to the detriment of those provided by parental figures, who enjoyed greater significance during childhood. Thus, adolescents feel significant peer pressure and become very vulnerable to possible social rejection or acceptance.

In response to the two aspects mentioned above (the need for self-affirmation and the decline in parental influence), we observe in this population group an increase in the search for sensations and experimentation of novelty on their own.They are increasingly independent and demanding higher and higher levels of autonomy. Adolescents tend to display an egocentric personal profile, which in some cases leads to a rejection of adult help or support.

Thus, the adolescent psyche is somewhere between a childish type of reasoning (more impulsive and irrational) and a more adult perspective (more serene and reflective). Thus, although adolescents show different ideas, thoughts and concerns than children, it is still very difficult for them to adopt more mature perspectives, which is why they are particularly vulnerable to advertising campaigns that associate them with the "adult" and the "adult". vulnerable to advertising campaigns that associate substance use with a successful or socially attractive personal profile..

Nature of substance use

The phenomenon of substance use can be defined as a multifactorial aspect, since the effect it has on the person is the result of three major converging variables:

• The individual, with his or her physical and psychological characteristics.
• The context, where social, cultural, economic, family, etc. factors intervene.
• The substance of consumption, which to varying degrees and in different ways exerts a pharmacologically active effect on the organism and can lead to the development of dependence.

Within each of these main areas, there are a number of more specific factors that can have a considerable influence on the potential for dependence. may have a considerable influence on the potential consumption of substances during adolescence.Although it is true that they cannot be said to play a direct causal role.

Risk factors

Risk factors are those circumstances that may increase the probability of consumption, while protective factors describe practices that decrease the proportion of occurrence of such behavior.

1. Individual factors

These are the risk factors present in individuals.

1.1. Values and beliefs

These consist of the attitudes, beliefs and ethical and moral values transmitted by the family and peer group in relation to one's own substance use or to other more general aspects of life, e.g. responsibility in relation to substance use itself or to other more general aspects of life, for example, responsibility, the importance of health, etc.

1.2. Social skills

Social skills and resources, such as competence in interpersonal interaction behaviors or the set of personal resources available to the adolescent to establish satisfactory relationships adapted to reality, are crucial for the adolescent to be able to express his or her opinions, assert himself or herself and be critical of others. is crucial for the adolescent to be able to express his or her opinions, assert himself or herself and be critical of certain situations and in the face of certain situations and risky circumstances.

1.3. Self-concept and self-esteem

These elements are defined by the way in which an individual describes himself/herself, by the personal image he/she has of his/her "self" and by the degree of personal security reflected in the self-concept and self-esteem..

Thus, it has been shown that individuals with an adequate level of these two phenomena are less vulnerable in risk situations. On the other hand, when self-esteem is low, consumption can serve as an avoidance of vital frustrations, which can precipitate consumption.

Experimentation

Experimentation, understood as a phenomenon intrinsic to the adolescent stage, can be linked to consumption situations, and their occurrence is strengthened if they are associated with pleasant or positive contingencies, such as having fun, learning about such as having fun, getting to know other people, etc.

1.5. Emotional and behavioral self-control

Self-control can be impaired at this stage of life due to the presence of facets such as impulsivity and the need for immediate gratification, which are so frequent in adolescence.

2. Relational factors

These factors have to do with the social contexts through which adolescents pass.

2.1. School

The school, as one of the main educating and socializing agents, exerts a very relevant influence. It has been observed that students with school failure or high rates of absenteeism, as well as negative attitudes towards peers or teachers, tend to be at greater risk of drug use. tend to be at greater risk of consumption.

2.2. Peer group

At these ages friendships become the main social reference point, so the perception of feelingTherefore, the perception of feeling integrated and accepted by this group will determine to a large extent their behavior and attitudes. In groups favorable to consumption, there is a greater probability of risk for the adolescent.

2.3. Leisure contexts

The relationship between the organization of leisure time and the economic aspect, on the basis of which there is a strong association between the free time available to adolescents (weekends) and substance use.

2.4. The family

The findings show that when the parental environment is unstructured or interferes with the establishment of satisfactory relationships between members, there is a greater likelihood of consumption among young people. between its members, there is a greater likelihood of consumption among young people.

On the other hand, the attitude of the family towards the consumption habit will also be fundamental as a risk factor; the greater the acceptance and normalization, the higher the rate of substance consumption.

3. Social factors

This category includes the most widespread social phenomena.

3.1. Awareness, accessibility and volume of substance advertising

A fundamental role is played here by the level of transmission of information received by the adolescent from the main reference figures: family, school and peer group.family, school and peer group. This will determine the adolescent's perception of consumption, facilitating or hindering avoidance of such action.

3.2. The socio-economic nature of the social interaction environment

In this context, higher rates of higher rates of consumption are observed in community areas with precarious conditions in terms of economic level and capacity for social integration.

By way of conclusion

Throughout this article we have listed various types of aspects that can influence the development of consumption behaviors in the adolescent population. It has been shown that this set of factors is multidimensional and correlational, rather than causal.

Even so, many of them are related to the many of them are related to the type of educational development experienced by young people. and, therefore, with the level of success in the internalization of competencies and personal values such as responsibility and autonomy, an adequate degree of assertiveness, social skills or the level of self-esteem acquired, as well as the rate of supervision and the quality of communication between the different socializing agents and the child.

Thus, it seems clear that working to promote homes with good family integration, where there is a combination of norms, limits, adaptive values and emotional and positive emotional support will be decisive in ensuring that future statistics reflect lower values in terms of substance use in the adolescent population.

Bibliographical references:

• Alegret J., Comellas M.J., Font P. and Funes, J. (2006). Adolescents, relationships with parents, drugs, sexuality and body cult. Family and Education Collection No. 5.
• "Los menores proban las drogas cada vez más tarde pero aumentan su consumo". EL PAÍS (April 2, 2018). https://elpais.com/ccaa/2018/03/28/madrid/1522244585_838055.html. Original source: http://www.pnsd.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/sistemasInformacion/sistemaInformacion/pdf/2016_2017_ESTUDES.pdf