If you find out that your teenager has been accused of using drugs, perhaps when the police tell you that they’ve made an arrest, you may be surprised. You never thought that your teenager had even tried addictive substances, much less used them frequently. You can’t understand why they would do this.
It is important to focus on your legal options at a time like this. You need to focus on what’s going to happen in the future and how you can protect your child’s future. But I can also help to think about why teenagers engage in these types of activities. Here are just a few common reasons.
They are curious
Young people are curious about everything, and illegal drugs are no exception. This curiosity may be especially high specifically because they’ve been told that they are not allowed to use these substances. This is also why a lot of young people begin drinking. They know that they are under the legal drinking age, but they’re simply curious about what it’s like.
They were pressured
Peer pressure is also a major reason for teenage drug use. Your teenager may have been pressured at a social gathering and done things that they never would’ve done if they were just at home by themselves. You cannot underestimate how important it is for young people to be accepted in their social groups, and they will often do things that they later regret in order to find this acceptance.
It makes them feel older
Although adults often look back at their younger years as the “good old days”, teenagers are often more focused on getting older. They want to be adults, they want to feel old, they want to feel respected and they want to feel like they’re in control of their lives. Making a decision to use these substances may be their way of trying to show their peers – or adults – just how grown-up they are.
No matter why this has happened, remember that it can have a major impact on your child’s future. You need to know about the legal steps you can take.
