A recent study shows that, "Adolescents who argued with their parents at least several times a week were more likely to have used marijuana in the past year- (CESAR April 2001). These study findings include other substances as well. The household can be seen as a brooding place for stress, especially with overbearing parents, who like to use the tough love technique. Stanton Peele, Ph.D. is inclined to disagree with the, "tough love" approach, and describes it as, "risky business" (Peele Jan. 2001). Even though substance abuse is not an effective stress reducer, some weary adolescents take this path anyway. Parents should try to create an open dialogue instead of ramming rules and regulations down adolescent's throats. A parent can create boundaries without being overly forceful. Peele agrees and goes on to suggest that parents set these boundaries through their own action and example (Peele Jan. 2001). In my case, my Mother was the overbearing factor which led to a lot of stress and heated arguments while my dad took the Peele approach and set boundaries that weren't to forceful.
Not every adolescent is lucky enough to have a dad or mom that is easily understanding, so the idea that they would turn to substance abuse to play off their stressful problems is not too far fetched. The experts at Toronto University agree, and have classified substance abuse as a stress enhancer. So in the long run misguided adolescents are just digging their hole deeper into the ground, and without proper influence or guidance, an adolescent can continue down this road. This practice of enhancing stress through substance abuse takes a toll on adolescent's emotions, because as with most drug and alcohol abuse, a dependency is established. This dependency is often set in place because of a lacking elsewhere in an adolescent's life, such as a good role model, like a parent should be. .
Another emotional problem stemming from substance abuse is found in adolescent depression.
