It should be emphasised that most young people's drug use is either experimental or recreational, that is, the 'stages' described do not imply a natural progression of use. These 'stages' do however give us some indication of what young people think about drugs and what changes in attitudes may occur at different stages in a young person s life. They also help us develop a general framework of possible trends in actual use. While the effects of drugs can be stated generally, it is impossible to predict exactly how a drug will affect any one person. Any given amount of a drug might have a slight effect on one person, but a much greater effect on another person.
Drugs can affect people physically, psychologically or both.
It could be argued that young people find such settings supportive, non-judgemental and a buffer against a world that doesn't seem to understand them. Young people can also be vulnerable to the effects of other people's drug use for example, family or friends. Such effects include abuse, violence and neglect. Disagreements over drug use can cause family arguments and effect personal relationships. Laws also bind legal drugs for example, prescription drugs cannot be lawfully obtained without a prescription.