Risk factors for adolescents’ substance abuse

Background Substance abuse is a rising community health problem especially among adolescents throughout the world. Studies for substance abuse including risk factors need to be frequently updated, to refurbish the prevention and management treatments on a scientific basis. Aim To assess the risk factors for adolescents’ substance abuse. Patients and methods A descriptive research design was used. Setting The study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of Helwan Mental Health Hospital (Adolescent Addiction Clinic). Sample A convenience sample of adolescents ( N =83) who attended the previously mentioned setting was included. Tools A questionnaire for adolescents about risk factors for substance abuse was used. It consists of 85 questions and includes two parts: part A − demographic characteristics and adolescents’ experiences with substances and part B − risk factors for substance abuse among adolescents. Results The current study revealed that 92.8% of the adolescents were males whereas 7.2% were females. Overall, 79.5% of adolescents were aged from 16 to 18 years, with a mean age±SD of 16.33±1.24 years. Regarding the age of starting substance abuse, 43.4 % of the adolescents started at 14 to less than 16 years, with a mean age±SD of 13.63±1.76. In addition, 71.1% of the adolescents had a smoker among their families, whereas 33.7% had a substance abuser among their families. Moreover, 100% of the adolescents had smoker friends, and 97.6% of their friends were substance abusers. Conclusion The study concluded that many factors can lead to substance abuse among adolescents. The most important factors were having substance abusers among family members and friends. Recommendation Educational programs about risk factors for substance abuse should be given to both parents and adolescents at schools, family health centers, and any family reunion places.