Peer-Influence, Self-Esteem and Substance Abuse among Adolescents

Abstract

Substance abuse is defined as the state of chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and to the society, produced by the repeated consumption of a drug, natural, or synthetic (Black, 2002). The most widely abused substances are alcohol, tobacco and cannabis because they are in excess (Alcohol and substance abuse information (Madu & Matla, 2003). Despite the prevalence of empirical research on the dangers of substance abuse to human health, many people including adolescents in city suburbs continue substance abuse (WHO, 2014). Substance abuse has been a leading cause of many health problems among many people including adolescents the world over for a long time. The habit is prevalent in all parts of the world especially in the United States of America, Europe, Asia and Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2014), over 1 billion people were accustomed to substance abuse, which was nearly 20% of the world population in 2012. While substance abuse rates had declined in developed nations, in developing nations, drugs like marijuana and tobacco consumption continue to rise.