Adolescent Behaviroral Problems

Adolescent behavioral problems and the life events that lead to shaping adolescent behavioral problems are the main factors responsible for creating traits that can lead to substance abuse and chemical dependency. Adolescent behavioral problems affect one of the most important periods of life when a teenager is in transition from childhood to adulthood. Whether or not a teenager experiencing adolescent behavioral problems will become harmfully involved with chemical dependency is greatly contingent upon their own personal development. When a parent ignores adolescent behavioral problems it can be considered as a crude form of enabling. Without confrontation adolescent behavioral problems can rapidly become a serious threat to a teenagers future and their potential to lead a healthy productive life.

A young adolescent’s demand for freedom and the ability to cope with it, intensify greatly through the teenage years. They strive for independence and have a new found need to make decisions that affect their own life. The toughest task for a parent is deciding when to intervene on these decisions and when to let the adolescent stand on their own. Rebellion against authority and especially parents, is not only a normal adolescent behavior problem, it is an essential one. Hormonal changes begin to affect behavior; sexual desires begin to weave into the daily life at a time when teenagers are most likely to feel undesirable and insecure about their appearance. Peer pressure from negative role models to socially conform is one of the most common adolescent behavioral problems that can create substance abuse that leads to dependency.

A physical and emotional eruption of this magnitude is going to cause internal pain, and the pain is almost certain to surface in some form of behavior. Obnoxious behavior - loudness, rudeness, insensitivity, depressive mood swings, excessive lying, lack of discipline, bad grades, bad habits, or sloppy grooming. Are these just the phases of a normal adolescence or should they be considered valid adolescent behavioral problems? How are these behaviors affected when drugs and alcohol enter the picture? The following questions about adolescent behavioral problems can help the parent decide if their teenager is experiencing a “phase period” or should take measures and seek out treatment.

Is your child’s life in danger? Are they experimenting with drugs that are dangerous drugs (Heroin, Barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine, etc.). Does your child drive while drunk or under chemical influence? Have they ever been arrested for drunk driving? Have they been in any serious automobile accidents? Is your child withdrawn and silent for long periods of time. Are they friendless? Is your child suicidal ? Does he or she have any eating disorders? Is your child a threat to the property or physical well-being of others? Do they carry weapons or are they constantly getting into fights? Do they participate in acts of vandalism? Does your child practice any form of self-mutilation (Home made tattoos, piercing, or self inflicted cuts or burns)? Do they hallucinate or report hearing voices? Does your child reflect invincibility or exude excessive energy? Will your child probably not complete high school? Has he or she dropped out or been kicked out? Is your child upsetting home life? Is your own mental health or job performance suffering because of your child’s behavior? How is your child’s behavior affecting other siblings? Is your child sexually promiscuous? Are they worrying about pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases? Is your child in trouble with the law or any legal system? Do they confer with any bad role models or delinquent individuals?

A yes answer to any of these questions does constitute adolescent behavioral problems that could warrant treatment or therapy. The final decision to intervene should be discussed thoroughly with the highest degree of concern among members of the family.


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