Predictors of Adolescent Substance Use

Adolescent substance use is a growing problem in the United States. Underage binge drinking has led to hundreds of thousands of hospital visits. Comorbid disorders are more prevalent for adolescents, which can dramatically hinder educational attainment and social interactions with peers/teachers. There are severe impacts of adolescent substance use such as emotional, social, and psychological impairments, which have the potential to have lifelong effect. The purpose of this study is to examine predictors contributing to adolescent substance abuse. The literature review focused to two main independent variables: parental and peer influence. Parental factors such as lack of parental control/attachment and parental abuse have shown to be predictors of adolescent substance use. The higher number of peers who use substances, high-status peers, and romantic partners who use substances are also predictors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), multidimensional family therapy (MDFT), brief strategic family therapy (BSFT), and functional family therapy (FFT) were analyzed and CBT was determined to be the most effective for treating adolescent substance abuse. This research highlights the importance of preventative programs in practice to foster healthy attachment for parents who may be susceptible to substance abuse and create healthy discussions of the detrimental impacts of substance use. Social workers also should work on sustaining and promoting policies which support school based programs such as DARE