adolescence can be a time of making irrational, impulsive decisions. it can be a time of living in the now, without consideration for the consequences that may follow. as a result, it is a time in which many teens try drugs and alcohol for the first-time. the average age of substance use initiation is between 13 and 14 years old, in seventh and eighth grade, before one even enters high school.
This is a harrowing reality to face. It is difficult to believe that our youth are developing dangerous, addictive habits at such an early age, especially right under our nose. We want to believe it is just a phase. We want to blame experimentation, or the other kids at school for our children’s early drug use. The last thing we want to uncover is that our children are in danger, or that this substance use is something our sons and daughters have brought upon themselves.