Unit 3 Individual Project Reason for Substance Use

You are working in a rehab center for teenagers who tell you that drugs get them through the day because school is boring, their families are dysfunctional, and that they use them because their friends pressure them. Some tell you that their parents, aunts, and uncles gave them their first exposure to marijuana, cocaine, and meth. Others say they just like how some drugs calm them down and others speed them up.

Assignment Guidelines

Address the following in 4–5 pages:
- What are four common reasons why people begin to use mood altering substances? Explain.
  - Briefly describe and summarize the four selected reasons.
- With regard to your selected reasons, answer the following questions:
  - Once started, why do people continue to use mood altering substances? Explain in detail.
- What are recreational drugs? Explain.
- Since teens are most at risk for recreational drug use, what can be done to divert them away from recreational drug use? Explain.
  - What does current research suggest with regard to persuading teens to not partake in drug use?
- Are the reasons for teen drug use and abuse different than those of adults? Explain.
Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.