Teen Drug Use - Teen Alcohol Use - Experimenter or Compulsive User?
At least two types of teen substance users are evident:
Experimenters - Teen Drug and Alcohol Use
The
substances used by experimenters may include alcohol, marijuana,
hallucinogens (such as mushrooms and LSD), tobacco and stimulants
(amphetamines, such as Ritalin, Benzedrine, and Dexedrine), and
methamphetamines, which are synthetic amphetamines often referred to as
speed, meth, crystal, crank, and the like). Many teens relate that they
began drug experimentation by taking another child's prescribed
medication, such as Ritalin, during elementary or middle school years.
Experimenters use socially, out of curiosity, and sporadically; i.e.,
when the occasion presents itself.
Compulsive Users - Teen Drug and Alcohol Use
Compulsive users may use in most or all peer group social situations, and usually for the purpose of controlling unwanted emotions (fear, for example). They may also use alone, which usually represents a deeper level of compulsivity and a greater risk of addiction. Compulsive users may speak glowingly about the benefits of feeling peaceful, at one with the universe (particularly those who see themselves as modern day "hippies"), or simply extol the hedonistic pleasures of getting high. These teens are usually struggling with feelings of low self-esteem, and do not feel good about themselves except when high. Compulsive users may say they never felt like themselves until the first time they used. Linking the idea of being okay or normal with drug or alcohol use is a particularly dangerous conclusion for a teen. Compulsive users are notorious for knowing vast numbers of benefits of the drugs they use, while being simultaneously blind to the risks and disadvantages, such as limitation of friends, disengagement from school activities, poor academics (although some may maintain good grades), risk of school suspension or arrest, superficial peer relationships (although they will usually defend their relationships as if they are deep, lasting and wonderful), deteriorating relationships with parents, brain damage, the inducement of persistent psychosis, and the like.
Experimenters or Compulsive Users - Teen Drug Use - Teen Alcohol Use
Both the experimenter and the compulsive user will often criticize other students who use what they would describe as too much, too often, or who use drugs that are highly physiologically addictive, such as cocaine. The user can feel safer in his or her decisions if he or she is able to point to someone else who is more obviously out of control.
A characteristic of many of us as parents is that we want to believe the best about our children, and are unlikely, except in retrospect, to make the distinction between our teen's experimenting versus compulsive drug use. I'm not suggesting that we should be paranoid in our vigilance of our teen's behavior, only that it is often difficult to see and accept the truth because we tend to take more than our share of responsibility for our children's behavior. It's easy to fall into the belief that if we had been better parents, our children could avoid drugs and alcohol. More useful than guilt and self-recrimination is to know that the whole family needs support when one of its members is struggling with substance abuse or dependence. If we find ourselves being the "last to know," we need to accept that we were the "last to want to know," and not wait another minute to talk to a professional.
