Negative events such as divorce, family conflict, witnessing violence, and peer
victimization all drive teenagers to use drugs beyond experimental use as an attempt
to temporarily forget their distressful feelings. For example, consider a 13-year-old
boy who has never quite fit in at his school. During the day, the other boys ridicule the
way he dresses, the things he thinks are funny, and the music he likes.
One day after school, the boy begins walking home and the boys follow him, taunting
him and laughing at him behind his back. He turns around to say something, but this is
exactly what the group was waiting for.
The boys see the 13-year-old try to stand up for himself. They run toward him,
throwing his backpack on the ground, and surrounding him. They stop short of hitting
him, but they threaten him with words and taunts, challenging him to try and do
something.
The boy fears the group, and doesn't know how to react to the situation. While the
boys are still taunting him, he breaks free and runs home.
At home, the boy's parents are away at work, and he has no one to talk to. His heart is
pounding and he doesn't know what to do.
He remembers how his dad always comes home from work and drinks a beer to relax.
Wondering if the beer will help him relax after this stressful situation, the boy opens
the refrigerator, and takes a beer.