One of the biggest problems in the society today is drug abuse and drug addiction. The term drug abuse refers to taking a psychoactive or performance enhancing substance that directly affects the working of your nervous system. Drug abuse is known to cause many problems related to health, society and even morality. Most of the people start taking drugs during their college life, as kids or teenagers. To this day, the teenagers and young adults form the biggest market of drug consumers.

There are many reasons for falling for drug abuse and getting addicted to drugs. A person, who suffers from low self esteem, is emotionally unstable and wants relief from mental pain; hence, he/she usually goes for drugs. These people do not have enough self-resilience to handle pain or stress, depression and loneliness, and find drugs a helpful way to escape the situation. Even a one-time use of drugs can cause drug addiction.

On of the factors that increase drug abuse risk is family history; if one of the family members is using drugs then it also influences the other members. An untreated physical pain or mental illnesses, like anxiety or depression, can also increase the risk of drug abuse. One of the most common causes of drug abuse is peer pressure. Teenagers and adolescents usually get into drug addiction due to peer pressure. Peer pressure means the pressure to fit in a group, to be liked or be popular. Sometimes teenagers try drugs because they are curious, or just because “everyone is doing it”. Peer pressure can make one indulge in activities and do things that one would not do in normal conditions.

People, due to peer pressure, leave their principles, common sense, responsibility and morals behind, and do what their friends want them to do. With peer pressure, it becomes very hard to say no to drugs. But, it is very important to be conscious about the learning one has gotten, common sense, beliefs and feelings about drugs, before trying it. Only if one is strong and confident, resisting the peer pressure and avoiding drug use becomes easier. Following are some ways to ignore peer pressure to take drugs:

1. Have a friend or peer who backs you up when everyone is pressurizing you to take drugs. If you have such a peer, who says no to drugs too, leaving the group and resisting the peer pressure becomes much easier. Make friends that share your values, respect your boundaries and are ready to leave with you when you ask them to.

2. If your friend or your group is pressurising you, you can also ask for an advice from an elder. Talking to an elder, parent, teacher or counsellor can give you a lot of confidence in yourself. They will also give you tips and help you make new friends.

You are a grown up and sensible person, you must set the limits for yourself, considering what is good and what is bad. You must not hesitate in communicating that to your friends. Some of them might make fun of you, but most of them will always have respect for you. You should be confident enough to leave them if they keep on pressurising you.

* A recent research study has revealed that those who are family oriented and have a good communication with their parents, are less likely to give in to peer pressure when it comes to drugs. So have an open communication with your parents who love you more than anyone else in the world.

You can get rid of drug additions by taking a professional’s help and get complete checkup for substance abuse treatment.

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