We know teens and adults alike are at a greater risk of developing an addiction if drug use begins in early adolescence. But why do children and teens use drugs, to begin with?
A common reason given is peer pressure, but the role of peer pressure in the development of addiction is often overstated or misunderstood. The development of addiction in youth is more complex than a single factor. Teen drug abuse and teen drug use are significant issues among adolescents, with emotional, psychological, and social influences all playing a role.
To point to peer pressure alone as a major cause of addiction in teens and young adults ignores a large host of other issues. Adolescents in their teen years and young people are at a heightened risk of experimenting with illicit drugs due to developmental changes and social pressures. While most forms of drug use have seen a decline among teens in recent years, some substances have grown increasingly popular, including marijuana and tobacco (via vaping). Marijuana use, in particular, is a prevalent form of illicit drug use among adolescents, raising concerns about its impact on brain development.
This signals it’s still important for parents to educate themselves on the effects of drug use, as well as hinting at a continued need to understand better how and why kids get addicted to drugs.
Defining Peer Pressure
Human behavior, as complex as it is, can be boiled down to the product of internal and external factors.
These range from innate factors playing a role in the development of our personalities and the emotions we display, to the countless ways in which our experiences and the actions of others imprint on us.
Peer pressure is one of many external factors that have an impact on how we think and act. Peer pressure can refer to both positive and negative influences; negative influences lead to the development of destructive and maladaptive behaviors, while positive influences lead to productive and healthy behaviors. Positive peer pressure encourages teens to make healthy choices, such as avoiding substance use or improving academic performance. In contrast, negative peer pressure can push them toward risky or unhealthy behaviors, including substance abuse.
Peer pressure, or peer influence, refers to the influence our social group might exert over us. Peer pressure represents a greater influence among teens than adults, as teens are more motivated to conform to their friends and peers, and less likely to heed the risks associated with potentially dangerous activities, including recreational drug use. Friends’ behaviors and the different types of peers, such as close friends versus acquaintances, can strongly influence a teen’s desire to fit in. The fear of social rejection often drives teens to conform, even when they recognize the risks.
However, research on the topic is conflicting. Studies aiming to determine the effect of peer influence on substance abuse and addiction find different results across sample sizes and age groups, ranging from no support for peer pressure as a significant factor in the development of substance abuse to peer pressure being just one among a variety of social factors for teens using drugs. In many social situations, teens may encounter pressure to engage in risky activities such as drinking, and the urge to drink can be heightened by observing peers in these environments.
Older children, especially teens, are less likely to try drugs due to peer pressure and more likely to choose to use drugs out of their own volition, to satisfy boredom or curiosity, and may select their peers accordingly. A teen’s peer choices play a role in how their personality develops, and what actions they take when faced with the choice to accept or decline drugs. However, attention should also be paid to a teen’s home environment and other factors.
The challenge for researchers is to distinguish the effects of different types of peer pressure and how they interact with other influences on teen behavior.
Parental Influence and Protective Factors
While teens and children spend a lot of time among their peers, family remains a more influential factor in the development of substance use habits.
Parents and the quality of their relationship with their children are a greater influence on youth, and teens who are influenced more by their peers than their parents are more likely to use drugs regularly.
Furthermore, among adults with a history of drug use, poor parental relationships, unhappy childhoods, harsh physical punishment, and lack of parental concern are common factors. Healthy parental relationships, on the other hand, correlated with better outcomes and were found to be a significant factor, notably if parents displayed several effective parenting strategies, including:
- Parental monitoring- Parental modeling
- Parental support
- Good communication
- Parental involvement
- Parent-child relationship quality
Some prevention programs are designed specifically for teenagers to address their unique needs and challenges.
This does not mean parents play a greater role in their child’s behavior than their peers do in every single case. In most cases, both play a significant role and may influence a teen’s decision to try drugs or avoid them. Parental disapproval of drug use and peer selection also represent protective factors, and it’s important to note peer pressure is not always overt, but may be subtle, i.e., teens are more likely to respond to trying a drug out if they see everyone else doing it. Still, they aren’t pressured into doing so directly.
Understanding the consequences of drug use can also serve as a protective factor, helping teens make informed decisions.
Other Factors Are Just as Important
Peer and parental influences only represent a fraction of the factors contributing to drug use.
Other critical external factors remain just as important, including:
- The availability of drugs- Socioeconomic factors
- Traumatic experiences
- The quality and reception of drug education programs
- And even drug advertising
Internal factors include co-occurring mental health conditions, a genetic predisposition towards a specific substance (as teens are more sensitive to a drug if they have a family history of addiction to said drug), and more. Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression can increase the risk of substance use, as some teens may turn to drugs to self-medicate these conditions. These disorders often co-occur with substance use, making integrated therapy essential for effective treatment.
Recognizing substance use disorder as a medical condition is vital for providing appropriate care and support. The treatment of addiction often requires a thorough understanding of the factors that influenced and continue to impact an individual’s history of drug use.
Substance use can have significant effects on both the body and mind, leading to physical and emotional suffering. While drugs themselves encourage repeated use, certain factors make someone more or less likely to relapse after treatment or continue to struggle with addiction. Support networks and treatment plans must be selected and built individually based on these factors, as teens affected by certain factors are more likely to respond to one treatment plan than another. Recovery is a long-term process, and therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals overcome addiction and alleviate the suffering caused by substance use.
Some of the things parents can do to help reduce their teens’ risk of using drugs include:
- Addressing the topic of drugs with a nuanced, balanced, and information-rich approach, avoiding fearmongering or outdated terminology.- Encouraging your child to call you and ask for a ride home (judgment-free) if they ever find themselves pressured to use drugs at an event.
- Staying involved in a teen’s life, showing interest in their school and personal activities, relationships with peers, friendships, career interests, and more.
- Providing a warm and supportive environment at home, alongside discipline and accountability.
While peer pressure can play a role in how teens develop drug habits, it is far from the only factor, and may often not be the most significant factor in many cases. However, peer pressure can increase the risk of drug abuse, and some teens may abuse drugs to fit in or gain acceptance within their social circles.
The Role of Social Media and the Internet
In today’s digital age, social media and the internet have become powerful forces shaping the experiences and behaviors of teenagers. These platforms can amplify peer pressure, making it easier for teens to encounter and engage in conversations about substance use, drug experimentation, and risky behaviors. With just a few clicks, teens have easy access to information about various substances, including drugs and alcohol, as well as firsthand accounts of others’ experiences, sometimes glamorizing or normalizing substance abuse.
Social media can also create a sense of pressure for teens to fit in with their peer group, especially when they see friends or influencers engaging in drug use or other risky behaviors online. The visibility of these behaviors can make teenagers feel compelled to experiment themselves, believing it is a standard or accepted part of teen life. Hashtags, viral challenges, and shared stories can further encourage substance use, subtly influencing teens’ attitudes and decisions.
However, the influence of social media is not exclusively negative. Online communities and positive role models can also encourage healthier choices, promote awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, and provide support for those struggling with addiction or mental health challenges. Many organizations and individuals use these platforms to share resources, personal recovery stories, and strategies for resisting peer pressure and making safer decisions.
Ultimately, the internet and social media are double-edged swords when it comes to peer pressure and substance use. While they can expose teens to risky behaviors and increase the likelihood of drug experimentation, they also offer opportunities for education, support, and positive peer influence. Helping teens develop digital literacy skills and encouraging open conversations about what they encounter online can empower them to make informed, healthier choices in the face of online peer pressure.
Get Your Teen the Support They Deserve at Visions Treatment Centers
If you’re concerned that your teen may be struggling with peer pressure, substance use, or mental health challenges, you’re not alone, and help is available. At Visions Treatment Centers, we provide specialized, age-appropriate care that addresses the root causes of teen addiction, including emotional, psychological, and social factors.
Our comprehensive treatment programs offer:
- Evidence-based therapy tailored for teens
- Family support and education
- A safe, judgment-free environment
- Tools to build resilience and healthy coping skills
Take the first step today. Call us at (818) 889-3665 or contact us to speak with our admissions team.
Empower your teen to make better choices—and reclaim their future.
