Psychology & Pedagogics (Research Paper Sample)

Meta-Analysis
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Macdonald (1984) defines a substance abuse as the using of a substance or drug that has harmful side effects to the user or the people around them. The disorder can be caused either by the methods of usage or the amount being consumed. There are different types of substances or drugs being abused, and some of them are alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Li (1999) has shown that the adolescents mostly abuse alcohol. It has been reported that 39% of high school adolescents drink alcohol. There are more teenagers that drink alcohol as compared to those who are smoking cigarettes or marijuana. The study pointed out that almost four out of 10 high school children drink alcohol. Furthermore, another research have supported that more than one in every five teenagers involve themselves in binge drinking every day. There are several adverse impacts of drinking to the users or people around them. Motor vehicle crashes have been a result of alcohol usage, causing death to that age group (Li, 1999). Also, there are health problems that emerge when using alcohol such as high blood pressure and stroke, liver diseases and sexual problems. Some factors have contributed in the abusing of alcohol among the adolescents, some of which are genetic factors and life stressors. Parents and guardians of the teenagers can monitor the activities of the adolescents by keeping communication channels open.
Tobacco is another drug that is greatly abused by teens. However, studies have proven that smoking of cigarettes has declined in the past 15 years. The teenagers smoking have significantly reduced in such a way that about one out of ten adolescents are cigarette smokers. Almost all the body's organ are affected by tobacco and between 1983 and 2000, the children born within that range will die in adulthood due to smoke-related diseases (Li, 1999). Factors that influence an adolescent to end up being a cigarette smokers are the parents and the peers of a particular individual. When the parents or peer of the individuals are smokers, the chances are that the person will end up be a regular cigarette smoker. Moreover, genetics can influence one to be a cigarette smoker. Study have shown that teenagers become smokers by first starting tobacco products at a tender age. Therefore, prevention of smoking should begin in schools, in homes and communities (Li, 1999).
Li (1999) states that there exist other drugs that are abused but are known to be illegal or misuse of medication. There are referred to as illicit drugs. Even though adolescent engages in this activities occasionally, it is still referred to as drug or substance abuse. Study have shown that almost half of adolescents take an illicit drug by the twelfth grade. The most common illegal drug being consumed is marijuana. However, Li (1999) explains that glues and aerosols are also abused by teenagers. A strong relations...