Substance use and abuse in adolescence: an overview.

Substances are widely used by youth as a means of excitement, consolation, belonging to a referent group, rebellion, a symbol of social and sexual maturity and independence. The destabilization of the family, permissiveness, indifference of the adult world, ethical confusion, peer pressure and the decline of self-discipline among the young are the essential causes of adolescent substance use and abuse. Preventive and treatment efforts are flawed by disagreements in the area of diagnosis and strategy, lack of cohesiveness, insufficient funds and deficiencies in follow-up procedures.