1. TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE PERPSECTIVE 1
Anthropological, Psychological, and Sociological: Substance Abuse in Teens
Omar Aldama
April 19, 2015
Behavioral Science 193
Disciplinary Review Paper

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There is no surprise that there is a rising concern when it comes to substance abuse within
our society. Substance abuse is defined as an ongoing desire and use for a certain drug or alcohol
despite the consequences that may arise. This problem is not something that is exclusively for
adults because it also extends to teens all over the United States. There are many risks factors
that can increase the chances for a teenager to fall victim to substance abuse. Although there are
many views on this topic, it is important to take a look at the Sociological, Anthropological, and
Psychological perspectives that can cause teens to participate in substance abuse.
First of all, one must look at how society plays a role in teen’s substance abuse problems.
If we are to decide that substance abuse in teens can be a social problem, then the definition of
social problem must be established. A social problem is something that has primary negative
effects on a person’s state of being that society as a whole determined it should be changed. In
addition, social problems have to be subjective, and they are also characterized by being
dependent on the beliefs of society during the timing of the issue. There is a big mistake that
many people make, which involves classifying problems that only affect them, as a society
problem. In order for the issue to also be considered a social problem, then a part of society
must hold qualities that affect it negatively.
One factor according to the Sociological perspective that increases the chances for teens
to participate in substance abuse is peer pressure. This can be considered a social problem
because it is an issue that affects many teens not just a couple. Peer pressure is defined as the
social pressure by members of one's peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or
otherwise conform in order to be accepted (Hamilton, H., 2015). Teenagers are seen as people
with clean slates that absorb all types of information as they are growing up. Society plays a role
in this situation of social influences because sometimes teenagers are pressured to put on an act

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in order to fit in. If a teenager associated himself with other teenagers who participate in
substance abuse, then they are more likely to do it themselves. The act that the teenager must do
to fit in can be considered a “social norm”. This type of mentality only adds to the thinking that
“everyone else is doing it, so it must be ok”.
Since humans naturally learn by observing other, the social learning theory can also help
to depict the reasons why teenagers begin a substance abuse in the first place (Kendler, K.,
2015). This sociological perspective can also include the interactions of teenagers with parents or
family members. A teenager might have noticed over the years that their parents only relaxed
after then had a drink or a cigarette. The teenager might have also noticed a cup in every adult’s
hand during social events. By observing all of these actions, the teenager is more likely to try the
activities themselves as explained by social learning. When it comes to families, studies have
shown that when a member has a substance abuse the teenagers are at higher risk to use in their
early years (Kendler, K., 2015). In addition, the presence of a family member with a substance
abuse problem only makes it much easy for the teenager to come in contact with the drug or
alcohol. It is important to make identify that strong parent involvement in a teenager’s life can
help prevent risks of substance abuse, but there is a fine line because over-involvement in a
teenagers’ life by the parents can be counter-productive which may increase the risk of substance
abuse (Hamilton H., 2015). Eventually, the more and more a teenager gets involved with this
substance abuse habit, the more their social group becomes smaller to the point where it is only
other addicts they associate with, which doesn’t help the situation at all. According to Carolyn
Tompsett (2015), it will be difficult for a teenager to disengage themselves from addiction to
certain drugs if they do not create healthy new relationships.

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Last but not least, the factor of socioeconomic status (SES) can also play a role in
substance abuse in teenagers. Many people have the belief that the lower a person’s social
economic status the higher at risk they are for substance abuse. In reality, studies have shown
that teenagers with higher SES are more at risk to abuse certain drugs and alcohol (Tompsett, C.,
2015). While teenagers coming from a low SES are at higher risk to be exposed to illegal drugs,
teenagers coming from a high SES are at risk to be exposed to other type of drugs such as
prescriptions and illegal drugs since they don’t have the monetary problem. If you add up money
plus the pressure from your family to succeed, then this creates a recipe for the teenager to fall
victim to substance abuse if they do not meet the expectations of their parents.
Anthropology is another perspective that cannot be ignored when it comes to substance
abuse in teens. Why are certain cultures or parts of the world more at risk to suffer from a
substance abuse than others? For example, fifty percent of teenage boys in India have tried some
sort of drug by the time they are in the ninth grade (Osamu, M., 2015).
Knowledge about a certain topic leads to a better understanding and therefore the person
has the power to make decisions whether they are positive or negative. Because some third world
countries do not have the resources necessary to inform the public about the dangers of drugs,
people, and especially teenagers, will indulge in drugs and alcohol. In a culture, a similar belief
is a force that brings them together. Therefore if a certain culture believes that drugs and alcohol
are positive things, then this may create a positive image in a teenager, which can increase the
chances of substance abuse (Hawkins, K. and Curtis H. A., 2015). For example, there are various
subcultures which are at higher risk for substance abuse such as a college alcohol consumption
culture, and gang life culture. This is because college and gangs promote independence and the
search for peers to relate to and sometimes a common activity is drug or alcohol use. Another

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subculture that increases the risk for teen’s to have a substance abuse is one which involves
teenager’s being raised in the government system. In a recent study by Kristin Hedges (2015),
teenagers who were raised in a foster home were more likely to become substance abusers when
compared to children who were not.
Last but not least, psychological factors also influence teenagers to become substance
abusers. One thing to point out about psychological factors is that they may be hidden because in
some cases, mental issues can’t be observed or measured. For example, one psychological factor
that leads to substance abuse may be a traumatic event. A person can go through every day like
nothing has happened and no one would ever know that they may have an issue such as
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One study found that one in every four teenagers
experience a possible traumatic event by the time they are age sixteen (Pumariega, A., Leonardo
R., and Mark D. K., 2015). It has been established that teenagers use alcohol and illegal drugs in
order to try and alleviate the strong flood of feelings and reminders of the traumatic event they
experienced. In addition, a different study found that teenagers who are already abusing drugs
are less likely to deal with a traumatic event due to the physical effects that the substance may
cause (Galaif, E. R., et al, 2015).
The teenage brain can be compared to a car with a strong pedal, which represents the
reward system, and a scrawny brake, which represents the prefrontal cortex. It is common for a
teenager to be influenced to search for enjoyment and stay away from pain, but their decision-
making expertise is not fully there yet compared to an older adult (Chadwick, B., Michael L. M.,
and Yasmin L. H., 2015). This inability to make right decisions may lead to a higher risk of
substance abuse. In order to prevent the temptations of drugs, anti-drug message are directed
towards teenagers.

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Two other psychological disorders that may lead to substance abuse are anti-social
disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One recent study found that there
is a high correlation between people with antisocial problems and marijuana (Ali, Shahid, et al.,
2015). The type of personality a teenager has may also influence how much at risk they are for
alcohol abuse. For example, in order to be social a quiet and shy teenager will most likely turn to
alcohol in order to achieve the desire to be interactive with others. On the other hand, ADHD is
portrayed as being forgetful and distracted. Specifically, a study found that teenagers who suffer
from ADHD are more likely at risk to be addicted to nicotine or alcohol (Pumariega, A. J.,
Leonardo R., and Mark D. K., 2015).
Whether it’d be from peer pressure or mental disorder, teenage drug abuse is a growing
problem in today’s society. Risk factors can be most influential during certain life stages and
teenage years are one of the most vulnerable times for teens. As discussed there are many studies
out that demonstrate the correlation between sociological, cultural, and mental factors that
increase the risk of teens to suffer from substance abuse. The earlier the detection of these risks
the less likely the teen will become an addict. Thanks to the help of non-profit organizations
many teens can seek help if they feel at risk or are already part taking in a substance abuse. The
key to reduce the amount of cases is knowledge.

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References
Psychology:
Ali, Shahid, et al. "Early Detection Of Illicit Drug Use In Teenagers." Innovations In Clinical
Neuroscience 8.12 (2011): 24-28.PsycINFO. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.
Chadwick, Benjamin, Michael L. Miller, and Yasmin L. Hurd. "Cannabis Use During
Adolescent Development: Susceptibility To Psychiatric Illness." Frontiers In
Psychiatry 4.(2013): PsycINFO. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.
Galaif, Elisha R., et al. "Suicidality, Depression, And Alcohol Use Among Adolescents: A
Review Of Empirical Findings."International Journal Of Adolescent Medicine And
Health 19.1 (2007): 27-35. PsycINFO. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.
Pumariega, Andres J., Leonardo Rodriguez, and Mark D. Kilgus. "Substance Abuse Among
Adolescents: Current Perspectives."Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment 3.4 (2004):
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Anthropology:
Hawkins, Katherine, and Curtis Hane Audrey. "Young Women's Perceptions of Print Cigarette
Advertising." Women's Studies in Communication 24.2 (2001): 169-93. ProQuest. Web.
8 Mar. 2015.
Hedges, Kristin. "Teens in the Grey Zone: The Structural Violence of Substance-using Youth
being Raised in the System." Human organization 71.3 (2012): 317-25. ProQuest. Web.
8 Mar. 2015.
Osamu, Mizutani. "Youth Under Siege in a World of Drugs." Japan Quarterly 45.4 (1998): 76-
82. ProQuest. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.
Sociology:
Hamilton, Hayley A.1,2, hayley_hamilton@camh.net, et al. "The Roles Of Family, Peer, School,
And Attitudinal Factors In Cannabis Use Across Immigrant Generations Of
Youth." Journal Of Drug Issues 42.1 (2012): 46-58. Social Sciences Full Text (H.W.
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Kendler, Kenneth S.1,2,3,4, kendler@vcu.edu, et al. "Genetic And Family And Community
Environmental Effects On Drug Abuse In Adolescence: A Swedish National Twin And
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Tompsett, Carolyn1, cjtomps@bgsu.edu, Sarah1 Domoff, and Paul2 Toro. "Peer Substance Use
And Homelessness Predicting Substance Abuse From Adolescence Through Early
Adulthood." American Journal Of Community Psychology 51.3/4 (2013): 520-
529. Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 8 Mar. 2015.