For years on end, people have rightfully sounded the alarm about teenagers using drugs and alcohol. Teens remain ill-equipped to handle these substances; moreover, they can be deadly, especially when blended or rapidly ingested.
Today, most parents go above and beyond to keep their kids away from illicit narcotics and booze. However, a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shines a light on key factors driving children to ingest noxious substances.
As one might imagine, knowing what motivates this epidemic goes hand in hand with finding a solution.
A dangerous coping mechanism
Unfortunately, many teenagers who struggle with personal relationships frequently turn to illicit substances to soothe the pain. The CDC documents that almost 75% of teens who abuse drugs and alcohol do so to rid themselves of stress and start feeling relaxed.
44% even admitted they rely upon harmful substances to fight depression and anxiety, do away with certain problems (at least temporarily), or forget about traumatic memories.
